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Director of Communications & Engagement (Dudley Group/SWB NHS Trusts)

Employer
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Location
West Bromwich
Salary
Depending on experience per annum
Closing date
13 Dec 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
Profession
Other Health Profession
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Director of Communications and Engagement for the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust & Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of healthcare communication? We're seeking a dynamic Director of Communications and Engagement to join our senior leadership teams. This pivotal role spans two integrated NHS Trusts, driving impactful engagement with staff, patients, and key stakeholders to support the delivery clinical excellence, exceptional care, and good population health. With exciting developments such as the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and expanded primary care services, this is your chance to shape better futures for our communities.

As a non-voting member of both Trust Boards, you will play a key role in fostering a culture of inclusion, staff well-being, and service improvement across our organisations. Leading a high-performing communications and engagement team, you'll oversee internal and external communications, public relations, stakeholder management, and digital strategies. This role demands a proactive and inclusive leader who can inspire, engage, and drive change, bringing people along on the journey while ensuring compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements.

Main duties of the job

You'll develop and implement forward-thinking communications strategies tailored to the distinct needs of both Trusts, helping us achieve our strategic aims and build strong partnerships. Your role will include advising senior leaders, enhancing our reputation with key stakeholders, and leading impactful campaigns and consultations. From managing crisis communications to celebrating staff and volunteer contributions through events and recognition programmes, you'll help shape our voice and elevate our profile regionally and nationally.

About us

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWBT) is an integrated careorganisation with a budget of approximately £600 million and over 7,000 staff. Diversity and social care is at the core of what we do as the Trust provides Community and Acute Services to over half a million people in an urban centre that demands massive regeneration and has substantial premature mortality.

Our new acute hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), opened this year and provides care to our local population from first class, purpose-built premises. The development of the new hospital will play an important role in the regeneration of the wider area and in improving the lives of local people and reducing health inequalities.

We have three strategic objectives:
  • Our People - to cultivate and sustain happy, productive and engaged staff
  • Our Patients - to be good or outstanding in everything we do
  • Our Population - to work seamlessly with our partners to improve lives


  • Job description

    Job responsibilities

    Were looking for a candidate with a proven track record in strategic leadership, ideally in a healthcare or regulatory environment. You should have excellent communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills, alongside a passion for fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion. NHS or public sector experience is advantageous, and youll need a collaborative and flexible approach to thrive in this fast-paced role.

    Join us on this exciting journey as we work to revolutionise healthcare for our communities. In return, youll enjoy a leadership role with meaningful impact, the chance to work with passionate teams, and the opportunity to shape communications across two of the NHSs leading integrated care organisations.

    Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • Masters qualification or equivalent experience
    • Specialist communication qualification or equivalent experience
    • Excellent IT skills


    Desirable

    • Evidence of continued learning/development


    Experience

    Essential

    • Experience of leading a team to deliver complex corporate communications
    • Demonstrable experience of media relations and issues management including confident handling of the press, radio, and TV outlets, including on highly contentious or sensitive subjects
    • Experience of development and implementation of communications policies and strategy
    • Experience of developing story and campaign ideas
    • Experience of driving employee engagement and people culture through internal communications
    • Senior level management experience within a complex organisation
    • Significant influencing and persuasion skills
    • Proven experience of creating opportunities and working collaboratively with internal and external partners
    • Demonstrable experience of using social and digital media to communicate with key audiences
    • Significant experience of leading and managing staff
    • Experience of developing and delivering business cases
    • Experience of managing a budget


    Desirable

    • Experience in an NHS or other politically high profile organisation
    • Board level experience
    • Extensive experience of issues and crisis management
    • Demonstrable experience generating charitable income


    Employer details

    Employer name

    Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

    Address

    SWB NHS Trust

    Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust

    West Bromwich

    B71 4HJ

    Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

    381-CO-6838092

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