Job summary We are seeking a Deputy Director of Communications, Engagement and Involvement 1 in 4 of us living in the UK will experience mental ill health each year. And when that happens in Kent and Medway, KMPT is there to offer specialist support to the most seriously unwell. Each year we look after over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community. And we are able to do that because of our 3,700 staff, who are dedicated to providing the best possible care at what can be one of the most difficult points of a person's, and their loved ones', lives. The communications and marketing team, and involvement and engagement teams, are responsible for ensuring its people, patients, partners and communities are informed, engaged and involved in the development and delivery of services. This role will lead both those teams and play a pivotal leadership role across the trust to support our wider strategic objectives. Main duties of the job Interested? These are the key results areas: Shape and drive strategic communications initiatives, enhancing the trust's reputation, fostering community involvement and ensuring patient and public voices are heard in everything we do. Set the organisation's brand presence and reputation, communications and engagement strategies, co-creation and involvement activities, and build strong relationships with key stakeholders, patients, partners and the public. Plan and align communications, engagement and involvement strategies with the trust's overall mission, goals and values, ensuring all efforts are patient-centred, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across a complex system, including partners, community leaders, media outlets and industry influencers. Accountable for leading and managing the communications and marketing team, and involvement and engagement team and driving top performance and service delivery. About us Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life. We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving 1.8 million people in Kent and Medway, as well as specialist services for adults in Sussex and Surrey. We are rated Good overall by the CQC. Each year we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community. We are proud to employ over 3,800 people from 66 nationalities, and to serve an increasingly diverse range of communities across rural and urban areas. You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones. The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service. Our strategy Our mission is what we set out to do every day We deliver brilliant care through brilliant people Our vision is where we want to be in the future To provide outstanding care and to work in partnership to deliver this in the right place, for every service user, every time. Check out our recruitment videos Recruitment - YouTube Date posted 10 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8d Salary £88,168 to £101,677 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number 380-SS0635 Job locations Priority House Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9PH Job description Job responsibilities Collaborate with the director of communications, engagement and involvement to set and implement comprehensive strategies that support the trusts objectives and priorities. Design and lead the communications and marketing, and involvement and engagement teams to deliver high-quality outcomes across media relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing campaigns, digital engagement, co-creation and involvement. Provide strategic leadership and professional expertise in communication, marketing, engagement and involvement to support the trust to deliver its vision and strategy. Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role. At KMPT, we are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one. Job description Job responsibilities Collaborate with the director of communications, engagement and involvement to set and implement comprehensive strategies that support the trusts objectives and priorities. Design and lead the communications and marketing, and involvement and engagement teams to deliver high-quality outcomes across media relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing campaigns, digital engagement, co-creation and involvement. Provide strategic leadership and professional expertise in communication, marketing, engagement and involvement to support the trust to deliver its vision and strategy. Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role. At KMPT, we are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A degree, supplemented by specialist, professional industry training at doctorate or equivalent level experience. Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience Postgraduate qualification or professional development in healthcare communications, engagement or involvement. Evidence of continuous professional and personal development in the sector. Desirable Membership of relevant professional body (e.g. CIPR, CIM) Professional qualification in leadership. Experience Essential Proven leadership and management experience in communications, engagement and involvement strategies, services and teams in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. A strong background in healthcare or the public sector. Experience leading crisis communications, high-pressure situations with diplomacy and tact. Proven experience in brand management or strategic branding for a public facing organisation. Desirable Experience of / or knowledge of behavioural science techniques and how to apply these in communications. Skills Essential Ability to work independently, manage several teams and interpret organisational policies. Proven ability to lead, inspire and influence teams and partners, fostering a collaborative, results-driven and continuous improvement environment Excellent leadership and people skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels to influence, negotiate and reconcile conflicting views. Knowledge Essential In depth knowledge of the NHS, its priorities and the challenges it faces, with an understanding of the political, social, policy and regulatory landscape. Strong understanding of brand strategy, positioning, storytelling, and market and audience analysis. In-depth knowledge across communications, marketing, and co-creation to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities to improve. Desirable Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and how it is applies to an NHS trust. Knowledge of NHS governance processes relevant to communications, such as patient confidentiality. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A degree, supplemented by specialist, professional industry training at doctorate or equivalent level experience. Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience Postgraduate qualification or professional development in healthcare communications, engagement or involvement. Evidence of continuous professional and personal development in the sector. Desirable Membership of relevant professional body (e.g. CIPR, CIM) Professional qualification in leadership. Experience Essential Proven leadership and management experience in communications, engagement and involvement strategies, services and teams in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. A strong background in healthcare or the public sector. Experience leading crisis communications, high-pressure situations with diplomacy and tact. Proven experience in brand management or strategic branding for a public facing organisation. Desirable Experience of / or knowledge of behavioural science techniques and how to apply these in communications. Skills Essential Ability to work independently, manage several teams and interpret organisational policies. Proven ability to lead, inspire and influence teams and partners, fostering a collaborative, results-driven and continuous improvement environment Excellent leadership and people skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels to influence, negotiate and reconcile conflicting views. Knowledge Essential In depth knowledge of the NHS, its priorities and the challenges it faces, with an understanding of the political, social, policy and regulatory landscape. Strong understanding of brand strategy, positioning, storytelling, and market and audience analysis. In-depth knowledge across communications, marketing, and co-creation to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities to improve. Desirable Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and how it is applies to an NHS trust. Knowledge of NHS governance processes relevant to communications, such as patient confidentiality. 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 Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust Address Priority House Hermitage Lane Maidstone ME16 9PH Employer's website https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)