Job summary This is a hugely exciting time to join our communications team. Over the last 12 months, we've rebooted our approach to how, what and where we communicate with our audiences so we're making an impact rather than creating a noise. We've made huge strides in a short space of time.But we're still in a work in progress. And that's where you come in. We need a passionate, smart and creative communications and engagement expert to help us carry on improving, bring strategic rigour to our operations and continue to integrate our content across channels so we reach our audiences effectively. We've got big ambitions with a number of big redevelopment schemes in progress, including the new Watford General. You will lead on the delivery and development of a creative communications and engagement strategy to bring these to life, and ensure our local communities, patients and staff are informed, involved and understand how it will benefit them. You'll be an expert in using audience insight, data to engage with local communities. And you will have a broader leadership role within the communications team - upskilling, supporting and guiding team members. Main duties of the job Lead on the comms and engagement workstreams for our new development plans, including devising a delivering a multi-channel comms and engagement strategy to reach our audiences in the most effective way. Lead on branding, messaging and positioning of the redevelopment projects, and ensure they are joined up and tell a consistent, compelling and coherent story. Act as the strategic comms advisor for the projects and provide high quality counsel to internal stakeholders. Foster and grow strong relationships with key local stakeholders, MPs, councillors to ensure they understand what we're doing, the benefits and tackle any concerns proactively. Lead on stakeholder mapping and develop a consistent approach to keeping them informed and engaged. Inspire and motivate the communications team and create a culture of high-performance and empowerment. Use proven evaluation techniques to assess the success of communications outputs. Role model the behaviours linked to our values. About us With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitmentnhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Date posted 31 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8d Salary £90,290 to £103,799 a year inc. HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 360-E-6416 Job locations Watford General Hospital Watford WD18 0HB Job description Job responsibilities Broad leadership responsibilities for communications and engagement across the Trust. Work in close partnership with senior colleagues and stakeholders to raise awareness and support for our work, and effectively engage with our key audiences on specific workstreams. Deputising for the Director of Communications as and when required. Build and foster strong relationships with local, specialist and where appropriate national media. Integrate good news stories and features across our channels, to optimise reach and impact. Ensure that the trusts views are always represented by overseeing press releases and interviews and inputting into consultation responses and Freedom of Information requests from the media. Oversee the production of internal communications material that engages the workforce and provides them with the information they need to care for their patients and be effective ambassadors for the trust. Please refer to the attached document for the complete job description. Job description Job responsibilities Broad leadership responsibilities for communications and engagement across the Trust. Work in close partnership with senior colleagues and stakeholders to raise awareness and support for our work, and effectively engage with our key audiences on specific workstreams. Deputising for the Director of Communications as and when required. Build and foster strong relationships with local, specialist and where appropriate national media. Integrate good news stories and features across our channels, to optimise reach and impact. Ensure that the trusts views are always represented by overseeing press releases and interviews and inputting into consultation responses and Freedom of Information requests from the media. Oversee the production of internal communications material that engages the workforce and provides them with the information they need to care for their patients and be effective ambassadors for the trust. Please refer to the attached document for the complete job description. Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge Evidence of continued professional development. Knowledge Essential Extensive up to date knowledge of public engagement and communications best practice. Knowledge and experience of managing formal public consultations and stakeholder engagement programmes Knowledge and experience of high-profile media issues management. In-depth knowledge of digital channels, media relations, campaigns, internal engagement and reputation management. In-depth knowledge and understanding of industry trends, insights and best practice Knowledge of manging teams and developing capability Knowledge of effective local community engagement. Experience Essential Senior level experience in communications and engagement, and of working on public-facing, construction projects and public consultations. Experience of leading teams at senior management level and fostering a culture of learning, growth and professional development Experience of developing mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholder groups and building strong relationships, internally and externally. Extensive experience of devising, writing and implementing effective communications and engagement strategies - including both traditional and digital communications - and evaluating outcomes Knowledge of large organisation-wide projects involving operational and cultural change Some knowledge and experience of the use of market surveys and evaluation techniques. Experience of crisis communications Person Specification Education and qualifications Essential Educated to Masters level or equivalent experience Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge Evidence of continued professional development. Knowledge Essential Extensive up to date knowledge of public engagement and communications best practice. Knowledge and experience of managing formal public consultations and stakeholder engagement programmes Knowledge and experience of high-profile media issues management. In-depth knowledge of digital channels, media relations, campaigns, internal engagement and reputation management. In-depth knowledge and understanding of industry trends, insights and best practice Knowledge of manging teams and developing capability Knowledge of effective local community engagement. Experience Essential Senior level experience in communications and engagement, and of working on public-facing, construction projects and public consultations. Experience of leading teams at senior management level and fostering a culture of learning, growth and professional development Experience of developing mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholder groups and building strong relationships, internally and externally. Extensive experience of devising, writing and implementing effective communications and engagement strategies - including both traditional and digital communications - and evaluating outcomes Knowledge of large organisation-wide projects involving operational and cultural change Some knowledge and experience of the use of market surveys and evaluation techniques. Experience of crisis communications 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address Watford General Hospital Watford WD18 0HB Employer's website http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)