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- Tasks: Lead community engagement and research programs, ensuring timely delivery and effective team management.
- Company: Healthwatch Hertfordshire, a champion for health and social care service users.
- Benefits: Remote work with occasional travel, competitive salary, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Shape the future of health services by amplifying local voices and driving impactful change.
- Qualifications: Experience in co-production, community engagement, and managing teams in health or charity sectors.
- Other info: Join a values-driven organisation with a national reputation and excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you have a background in coproduction, and managing community engagement and research programs? Have you successfully delivered in an interim capacity?
Start date: April/May 2026
Reporting to: CEO
Contract & hours: 1 FTE. Fixed term contract for 12 months.
Direct Reports: Research Officers (3) & Community Engagement Lead
Hybrid: Remote, with occasional planned travel to Hertfordshire (one-two days per month on average with cost reimbursable).
Healthwatch Hertfordshire are an independent champion for people who use health and social care services. Being a values-driven organisation with a national reputation for our research and engagement work, we are here to find out what matters to local people and help ensure their views shape the support they need. This is a fixed-term appointment to lead our engagement and research work during a period of transition in the run-up to changes to how patient voice is funded as part of national and broader health and social care reform.
As our Head of Research & Community Engagement, you will ensure that research programs are delivered effectively and on time, with specific responsibility for:
- Overseeing and project managing our community engagement and research programs
- Providing leadership and management to your team
- Facilitating internal collaboration across the team, while instilling a culture of knowledge sharing
- Coordinating the recruitment of additional staff within the department
- Liaising with senior external stakeholders, including local charities, NHS social care bodies, and community organisations that represent marginalised groups
You will also support and inform the CEO on research-based outcomes, producing analysis, briefs, reports, and providing considered recommendations and solutions.
To be considered, you must have a background of co-production and community engagement, having worked with senior leaders across health, government and the charity sector, and preferably with organisations which represent marginalised groups. Healthwatch Hertfordshire are seeking an experienced leader and programme manager who:
- Thrives in a busy role while managing competing deadlines
- Is comfortable operating within a changing and shifting sector
- Can adapt, reprioritise, and effectively take their team with them
- Communicates with confidence
Experience of research and report writing in the health and/or social care field, and a background working with underserved and marginalised communities in a coproduction and community engagement setting is highly desirable, but not essential.
This is a remote role with occasional planned travel across Hertfordshire (1-2 days per month). All travel costs will be reimbursed.
To apply, please submit your CV to Louis Eastwell of Hire Purpose before 12pm on Monday 30th March.
Head of Engagement and Research employer: Hire Purpose
Contact Detail:
Hire Purpose Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engagement and Research
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and social care sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities like the Head of Engagement and Research role. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Healthwatch Hertfordshire and their community engagement initiatives. Show us that you understand their mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your background in co-production and managing research programs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a potential leader, you'll need to convey your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to refine your pitch and ensure you come across as the engaging candidate we’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Healthwatch Hertfordshire. Get your CV polished and hit that submit button!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engagement and Research
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in co-production and community engagement. Highlight any relevant roles where you've managed research programs or worked with senior leaders in health and social care.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in busy environments. We want to see how you can inspire and manage your team effectively.
Communicate Clearly: When writing your application, be clear and concise. Use language that demonstrates your confidence in communicating with stakeholders, as this is key for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and ensure it gets into the right hands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hire Purpose
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of co-production and community engagement. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed similar programmes. This will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Engagement and Research, you'll be leading a team. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've effectively managed teams in the past. Think of instances where you've facilitated collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members.
✨Understand the Sector
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in health and social care, especially regarding patient voice funding. Being able to discuss these topics will demonstrate your awareness of the sector and your ability to adapt to changes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since liaising with external stakeholders is key, prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with organisations like local charities or NHS bodies. Share examples of how you've worked with marginalised groups and how you ensured their voices were heard in your projects.