At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and impactful campaigns to drive systemic change in public services.
- Company: Join the vibrant Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and access to a pension scheme.
- Other info: Inspiring leadership role with opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape public administration and improve national services with your campaign expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic communications and proven campaign success in the public sector.
The predicted salary is between 59756 - 66251 £ per year.
About Our Client
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. They make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. Working closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first, and find ways to put it right. Their true impact lies in making sure that the lessons from all investigations drive systemic change across central government, public services, and the NHS.
This newly created role will work closely with the senior leadership team and will have a dual mandate: reshape the internal view of communications towards a more cohesive, proactive, insight‑led campaigns model, and act as the strategic architect behind high‑impact narratives that command the attention across diverse government, stakeholder and audience groups. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will sit at the crossroads of policy, communications, and strategic influence. If you are ready to use your campaign expertise to shape public administration and improve national public services, this is your platform.
Job Description
As the Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns you will lead and shape the organisation’s communications strategy, deliver impactful campaigns, and drive measurable impact.
- Strategic Leadership and Advice
- Support the Assistant Director in delivering organisation‑wide leadership for communications and campaigns.
- Lead the shift to a strategic, insight‑driven campaigns approach across the communications team and wider organisation.
- Act as a senior authority on strategic communications, operating with credibility, autonomy and influence.
- Advise and influence the Ombudsman, Chief Executive and Executive Team on communications strategy and approach.
- Campaign Strategy and Delivery
- Translate organisational vision and priorities into impactful, insight‑led communications campaigns across multiple channels.
- Develop compelling, audience‑focused narratives that resonate with diverse stakeholders.
- Establish approaches to story identification and development, working collaboratively across the organisation.
- Ensure all communications are inclusive, accessible and aligned with organisational values.
- Lead the delivery of campaigns against agreed objectives, ensuring consistency and quality.
- Performance, Evaluation and Impact
- Define and track key performance indicators, ensuring clear alignment between communications activity and organisational goals.
- Lead robust evaluation of campaigns, measuring effectiveness and impact.
- Use insight and data to drive continuous improvement and inform strategic decision‑making.
- Leadership, Ways of Working and Collaboration
- Provide inspirational leadership to multi‑disciplinary teams within a matrix environment, embedding new and effective ways of working.
- Build strong relationships internally to champion strategic communications and foster a campaigns mindset.
- Develop partnerships with key external stakeholders to maximise collaboration and impact.
- Exercise delegated authority effectively, ensuring decisions are informed, timely and aligned to organisational priorities.
The Successful Applicant
To be successful you must be able to evidence how you pair strategic communication expertise with exceptional political literacy by demonstrating:
- Significant experience leading strategic communications within the public sector, third sector, or a closely regulated environment.
- A proven history of designing, executing, and rigorously evaluating large‑scale campaigns that delivered measurable, positive policy or societal outcomes.
- A deep understanding of stakeholders across the health sector and wider public service landscape.
- A natural ability to advise and align Executive Teams, CEOs and senior political stakeholders behind a communication strategy.
- Comfortable diving into digital analytics, media data and audience insights to pivot campaigns and prove engagement.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for translating complex subjects & insights into impactful, positive outcomes.
- An empowering leader who loves to coach, mentor and build positive, psychologically safe team cultures during times of change.
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary: London £59,756 - £66,251; Manchester £56,374 - £62,501
- Access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
- 30 days of annual leave, plus 2.5 statutory days & bank holidays.
- Hybrid working model with 40% office‑based work in London or Manchester.
- Flexible working arrangements to support work‑life balance.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme for additional support.
- Other additional benefits.
Location: London or Manchester
Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns in London employer: MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant work culture, fostering passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference in public services. With a focus on strategic communications and impactful campaigns, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to work-life balance. Located in either London or Manchester, PHSO offers competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme, making it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the PHSO. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your campaign successes! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of campaigns you've led that made a real impact. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing metrics!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to contribute ideas or strategies related to their communications approach, go for it. This shows initiative and that you're already thinking about how to add value.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in public services.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your strategic communications experience. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your campaign successes!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past campaigns, focus on the measurable outcomes you achieved. We love numbers and data, so if you can demonstrate how your work led to positive changes, that’ll definitely catch our eye!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can connect with diverse stakeholders, so showing your unique voice and perspective will help us see how you’d fit into our vibrant team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent campaigns. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate how your strategic communication expertise aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Campaign Successes
Prepare specific examples of large-scale campaigns you've led in the past. Highlight measurable outcomes and how they positively impacted policy or societal change. This will showcase your ability to deliver results and resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Political Literacy
Be ready to discuss your understanding of the public sector landscape, especially within health services. Share insights on how you’ve navigated complex stakeholder environments and influenced senior leaders, as this role requires exceptional political literacy.
✨Emphasise Leadership Style
As an empowering leader, be prepared to talk about your approach to building team cultures, especially during times of change. Share examples of how you've coached and mentored teams, fostering a psychologically safe environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
