Head of Communications

Head of Communications

Colchester Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative campaigns and strategic communications to enhance ESNEFT's reputation.
  • Company: Join ESNEFT, a major NHS organization serving nearly one million people in Suffolk and Essex.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, training opportunities, and NHS discounts.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care while fostering innovation and collaboration in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in communications and media relations is essential; leadership skills are a plus.
  • Other info: This is a Fixed Term/Secondment role until March 2026.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Communications who will lead the development and execution of dynamic, creative campaigns and strategic communications plans that support the delivery of ESNEFT’s objectives.

This role focuses on mid to long-term planning to enhance the Trust’s reputation, engage stakeholders effectively, and ensure clear, consistent messaging both internally and externally.

You will oversee proactive and reactive media relations, ensuring positive media coverage and effective crisis communication. Manage the communications team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

This role is Fixed Term/Secondment until 31st March 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing expert advice on communication best practices.
  • Ensure effective engagement with each clinical division and corporate services.
  • Ensure effective internal communications to engage and inform staff across the Trust.
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications activities, using insights to refine strategies.
  • Manage the Trust’s digital content over social media channels.
  • Develop key messages and briefings for senior leaders and Board members.

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics, and in patients’ own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals, we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata), and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Anna Turner Job title: Associate Director of Engagement Email address:

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Head of Communications employer: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

At ESNEFT, we are committed to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for our employees. As one of the largest NHS organizations in England, we offer extensive training and development opportunities, flexible working options, and a generous benefits package, including a robust pension scheme and 27 days of annual leave. Our focus on staff wellbeing and our investment in cutting-edge digital transformation ensure that you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing patient care and making a meaningful impact in the community.
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Contact Detail:

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Communications

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with ESNEFT's mission and values. Understanding the Trust's objectives will help you align your communication strategies with their goals, making you a more attractive candidate.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your experience in managing media relations and crisis communication. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging situations in the past to demonstrate your capability in this area.

✨Tip Number 3

Highlight your ability to foster collaboration within teams. Share instances where you've encouraged innovation and teamwork, as this is crucial for managing the communications team effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on current trends in healthcare communications. Being knowledgeable about the latest developments will not only enhance your discussions during interviews but also show your commitment to the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications

Strategic Communication Planning
Media Relations Management
Crisis Communication
Stakeholder Engagement
Internal Communications
Digital Content Management
Campaign Development
Team Leadership
Analytical Skills
Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Creative Thinking
Collaboration and Teamwork
Expertise in Communication Best Practices
Adaptability to Change
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Communications position. Understand the key responsibilities and how your experience aligns with them, especially in areas like media relations and strategic communications.

Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and team management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead dynamic campaigns and manage crisis communications.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for patient care and your vision for enhancing ESNEFT’s reputation. Mention how you plan to engage stakeholders and improve internal communications, aligning your goals with the Trust's objectives.

Highlight Your Digital Skills: Since managing digital content is part of the role, emphasize your experience with social media and digital communication strategies. Provide examples of successful campaigns you've led or contributed to in the past.

How to prepare for a job interview at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

✨Understand the Trust's Objectives

Familiarize yourself with ESNEFT’s mission and objectives. Be prepared to discuss how your communication strategies can align with their goals and enhance their reputation.

✨Showcase Your Campaign Experience

Prepare examples of dynamic and creative campaigns you have led in the past. Highlight your ability to engage stakeholders and deliver clear messaging, both internally and externally.

✨Demonstrate Crisis Communication Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience with proactive and reactive media relations. Share specific instances where you successfully managed crisis communications and ensured positive media coverage.

✨Highlight Team Management Abilities

Discuss your approach to managing a communications team. Emphasize your commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.

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