Job summary This is an exciting opportunity to join our Trust on a fixed term contract as our Head of Internal Communications. The post holder will manage the Internal comms team and lead on our high profile internal comms projects and the delivery of our channels. Main duties of the job The candidate will: 1. Be responsible for the internal and corporate/strategy focused communications functionality of the communications team2. Lead on internal / corporate service development implementation on behalf of the communications team.3. Be responsible for the development implementation and evaluation of relevant and aligned internal communications strategies, projects andcampaigns as identified in the overarching team communications plans.4. Provide internal communications, staff experience management advice and training to board, executive and other senior level colleagues.5. Act as communications link between organisations and staff including relevant stakeholders such as Staff side colleagues and governors as relevant.6. Lead on high profile internal communications projects working with and managing the outputs of the internal communications team.7. Use well-established experience and industry standard disciplines and methods to plan, deliver and evaluate communications. About us NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth. Date posted 13 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year pa pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 270-TF784-CORP Job locations St Marys Hospital Kettering NN17 5EG Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilities include: 1. Provide detailed and thorough communications plans in response to highly complex, sensitive information2. Manage and lead team colleagues to support on campaign and project delivery3. Through our project management tool and process, manage the outputs, workload and risk management associated with all communicationsprojects within this team. Escalating risk and providing assurance to the Director of Communications and executive colleagues on delivery andforward planning management.4. To manage and maintain a budget for the Internal and Corporate sub-team to track spend on a regular basis. The management of the budget forthis sub-team will report into the overarching spend for the communications team and align with financial processing for the sub team. This willinclude management of budgets across two organisations.5. Provide a comprehensive communications management process and work with operational colleagues to triage and prioritise incoming workloadrelating to staff communications.6. Advise and liaise with senior leads within the Trust and/or wider health and social care system on communication aspects of high-profile projects.7. Influences, persuades committees and senior managers on appropriate communications approach8. Lead on strategic communications approach for effective staff engagement and maintaining our culture. Working closely with colleagues in OD,L&D and HR9. Identify and pursue communications opportunities in accordance to briefs given to enhance corporate reputation and implement appropriatesupport for partners, staff and managers who might be engaged in profile raising activity.10. Provide and use a regular, fully comprehensive and impactful performance reports, ensuring team members use these to inform their practice11. Work with the Head of External and Operational comms to maintain and advance our internal facing digital communication systems for the benefit of our staff Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilities include: 1. Provide detailed and thorough communications plans in response to highly complex, sensitive information2. Manage and lead team colleagues to support on campaign and project delivery3. Through our project management tool and process, manage the outputs, workload and risk management associated with all communicationsprojects within this team. Escalating risk and providing assurance to the Director of Communications and executive colleagues on delivery andforward planning management.4. To manage and maintain a budget for the Internal and Corporate sub-team to track spend on a regular basis. The management of the budget forthis sub-team will report into the overarching spend for the communications team and align with financial processing for the sub team. This willinclude management of budgets across two organisations.5. Provide a comprehensive communications management process and work with operational colleagues to triage and prioritise incoming workloadrelating to staff communications.6. Advise and liaise with senior leads within the Trust and/or wider health and social care system on communication aspects of high-profile projects.7. Influences, persuades committees and senior managers on appropriate communications approach8. Lead on strategic communications approach for effective staff engagement and maintaining our culture. Working closely with colleagues in OD,L&D and HR9. Identify and pursue communications opportunities in accordance to briefs given to enhance corporate reputation and implement appropriatesupport for partners, staff and managers who might be engaged in profile raising activity.10. Provide and use a regular, fully comprehensive and impactful performance reports, ensuring team members use these to inform their practice11. Work with the Head of External and Operational comms to maintain and advance our internal facing digital communication systems for the benefit of our staff Person Specification Knowledge and Experience Essential Masters required and/or experience in communications field (journalism, marketing or PR) to masters level equivalent Significant and successful senior communication leadership experience in a complex environment Desirable Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communications techniques, approaches, procedures, health service communications, organisation, project management, external political environment Experience of delivering projects and events within time and budgetary constraints Skills, abilities and behaviours Essential Experienced in giving advice on communications strategies and in relation to specific aspects where expert opinions may differ Evidenced of ability to formulate long-term strategic plans, involving uncertainly, and which may impact across organisation Desirable Strong, evidenced commitment to high standards of delivery, quality and client care Well established ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment. Must be able to self-motivate and manage own, and coordinate teams workload Person Specification Knowledge and Experience Essential Masters required and/or experience in communications field (journalism, marketing or PR) to masters level equivalent Significant and successful senior communication leadership experience in a complex environment Desirable Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communications techniques, approaches, procedures, health service communications, organisation, project management, external political environment Experience of delivering projects and events within time and budgetary constraints Skills, abilities and behaviours Essential Experienced in giving advice on communications strategies and in relation to specific aspects where expert opinions may differ Evidenced of ability to formulate long-term strategic plans, involving uncertainly, and which may impact across organisation Desirable Strong, evidenced commitment to high standards of delivery, quality and client care Well established ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment. Must be able to self-motivate and manage own, and coordinate teams workload Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Address St Marys Hospital Kettering NN17 5EG Employer's website https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)