Head of Communications | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

The search is on for us to find our next Head of Communications to lead a successful and high-profile communications team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Our vision is to be "national and international leader in healthcare, rooted in our communities" and that’s where you step in, helping make this a reality.

Following the promotion of our last Head of Comms within the NHS, we are seeking a highly motivated, creative and inspirational leader to take on this pivotal role in taking forward our communications service. We are looking for someone naturally collaborative who can engage, strengthen and enable our communications team to deliver high quality communications. You will already have a proven track record of providing compassionate leadership and delivering professional advice and expertise for large complex organisations.

We are a values-led organisation and are looking for someone who can build relationships at pace, internally and externally, whilst being a champion for the communications service and team. We are looking for a dynamic and effective leader with capacity as well as capability to take this role on. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

The role leads the communications team, providing professional expertise at a senior leadership level with oversight of all activities:

• Strategic planning, coordination and reporting on performance for delivery
• Collaborative team leadership, supporting professional development and improved service
• Managing reputation through media relations, stakeholder relations and supporting partnership working
• Internal communications for 2 Hospitals and community services for 12,000 staff and >600 volunteers, working closely with all clinical and corporate services
• Communicating to patients through awareness raising campaigns, public website, social media and using marketing to support the quality of their care experience
• Ensuring operational activity is supported with timely communications such as response to incidents, seasonal pressures and emerging health issues (e.g. flu, pandemic), with well researched communications strategies and plans
• Work closely with Clinical Groups, corporate services (e.g. ICT, HR, finance) and our engagement teams (patient experience, stakeholder relations and staff engagement) to bring about an integrated approach
• Ensuring that the Trust’s communications are coordinated, effective and professional for the wide range of audiences we serve including patients, carers, staff, national and local media, MPs, volunteers and partner organisations

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK and Major Trauma Centre. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation. By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

The post-holder leads the communications team and service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, reporting into the Director of Marketing and Communications and within the Chief People Officer portfolio. They will advise the Trust board and senior management team on communication strategies designed to support the organisation’s vision and delivery of its strategic plans and to enhance and maintain the organisation’s reputation.

The Head of Communications role will influence and shape internal and external communication planning at all levels through the development of policies and systems designed to optimise two-way communications between the organisation and its internal and external stakeholders. The post-holder will be expected to direct research and undertake analysis and interpretation of its findings to identify communication needs and formulate plans to meet them.

The Head of Communications plays a key part in developing and implementing the Trust’s communications and marketing strategy, advising the Board and the Management Executive in the absence of the Director of Marketing and Communications and ensuring an integrated and planned approach across the organisation to internal and external communications. The role supports the Director of Marketing and Communications in developing the Communications department as a strategic function to support and promote the activities of the organisation.

The communications service is a team of ~11 people, working a model of four days on site and one remotely.