Strategic Communications Lead: Future NHS Workforce Solution - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Strategic Communications Lead: Future NHS Workforce Solution – Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 8NY

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time

Reference Number: G9914-25-0162

Job summary
Are you a dynamic, passionate communication professional looking for a new challenge? We have an exciting opportunity to join us as a Strategic Communications Lead to support the national delivery of the Future NHS Workforce Solution, a programme that will build on the success of the Electronic Staff Record (ESR), which is the national HR and payroll system for the NHS. This is a brand-new role where you can make a real impact across the NHS at this exciting time of transition.
You\’ll take on responsibility for designing and delivering a robust communications strategy key to delivery of the programme. You will be part of the programme\’s senior team and provide expert communications advice so a high level of emotional intelligence to build trust and inspire others is a must.
You\’ll also work closely with the Strategic Engagement Lead to ensure a seamless approach to communications and engagement. You will direct the work of a small, dedicated communications team, with your professional home being the NHSBSA Communications and Marketing team.
What do we offer?

• 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidays
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours or reduced hours)
• Hybrid working model (we are currently working largely remotely)
• Career development
• Active wellbeing and inclusion networks
• Excellent pension
• NHS Car lease scheme
• Access to a wide range of benefits and high street discounts!

Main duties of the job

About us
Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.
We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we\’re proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.
We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That\’s why when you join us, you\’ll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.
As one of the UK\’s Best Big Companies to work for, we\’re connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.
We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.
We\’re committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.
Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!
Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.
We are people connected to care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Strategic Communications Lead is responsible for leading internal and external communications for the Future NHS Workforce Solution, one of our most complex programmes of work. The current solution, the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) is the national HR and payroll system for the NHS, processing £55 billion in payments each year to NHS colleagues.
We have a timeframe of five to seven years to transition all NHS organisations and users from ESR to our new solution. As part of the Senior Management team (SMT) for the programme, you will have accountability for designing and delivering a communications and marketing strategy which will include a number of key areas of focus: the management of the reputation of the programme amongst our internal and external stakeholders, providing expert support and advice, determining messaging for the programme and ensuring that it is distributed to the right audiences through the right channels. You will have a key role to play alongside the Strategic Engagement Lead in supporting our readiness and implementation team to secure buy-in and commitment from our user organisations to adopt the full new solution. You will also ensure that internal colleagues within the programme and the wider NHSBSA are kept informed and engaged. You will devise proactive plans and campaigns to support the longer-term programme objectives and milestones.
You will direct the work of a small, dedicated communications team and your professional home will be the NHSBSA Communications and Marketing team, who you will work closely with to deliver your strategy. You will also need to have an excellent relationship with the current service team and in particular, the readiness and implementation team. Your strategy will also focus on outcomes using best practice from the Government Communication Service (GCS) in all aspects of your work, ensuring it is based on insight and consistently evaluated.
You will draw on the skills of the wider NHSBSA Communications and Marketing team to build on the rapid response social media capability, enabling swift and effective engagement that promotes accurate information and supports a fact-based public conversation. In addition, you will use the expertise of the Internal Communications and Engagement team to deliver a strengthened programme of activity during a time of transformation and change within the programme.
You will also be responsible for providing regular reports to members of the Future NHS Workforce Solution SMT, Communications and Marketing SMT and support quarterly updates which are presented to the NHSBSA Leadership team.
In this role, you are accountable for:

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level in a relevant communications field, or with equivalent professional experience.

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications in communications, journalism or relevant field to Masters level or equivalent.

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Specialist media handling skills – demonstrable success in the handling of high profile, complex, sensitive issues with potential to damage reputation.
• Ability to operate dynamically in an environment of change and manage and prioritise multiple projects.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with clients to understand communications challenges and design innovative solutions.
• Strong team player, committed to an ethos of continuous improvement including championing work-based learning, self- development and talent management to enhance organisational capability.
• A positive outlook and attitude, acting with passion, enthusiasm and commitment.
• Good understanding of data and audience insight to inform communications activity.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships at the highest levels in order to provide strategic communications direction and advice based on professional expertise.
• Ability to analyse highly complex and sensitive information and persuade others to take an appropriate communications approach.
• Understanding of and use of new digital technologies including social media and apps.
• Strong leadership qualities with experience in persuading and negotiating with organisational leadership, and coaching and developing direct reports and colleagues.
• Good working knowledge of media law.
• Demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence to build trust and inspire others.
• Ability to identify decision bottlenecks and unblock swiftly.
• Anticipates economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to keep own business activity relevant and targeted.

Desirable

• Understanding of how an Arm\’s Length Body operates and governance procedures.
• Knowledge of health service communications.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience of operating at a senior level with a wide range of communications – digital engagement, media handling, proactive PR, marketing, campaigning, communications strategy and evaluation.
• Experience of working on large scale change and transformation programmes.
• Experience of working collaboratively with key stakeholders to come to an agreed outcome.
• Experience of developing communications strategies.
• Experience of delivering behaviour change campaigns and using data and insight for evaluation.
• Experience of working in large scale change and transformation communications.
• Experience of the commissioning process and working with suppliers.
• Experience of working in a political or public sector organisation.
• Budget management experience.
• Experience of employing national policies in local communications.
• Experience of leading and developing teams and individuals to develop career pathways and achieve their potential.
• Experience of involving people to engage them fully with the long term strategic vision and purpose of the department and organisation.
• Experience of challenging ineffective decision making, resourcing, structures and processes to improve effectiveness.
• Experience of considering equality issues for all business and policy changes within the business area.

Desirable

• Experience of operating within a large, multi-site and complex organisation.
• Experience of working with the Government Communication Service MCOM model.

**** When applying for this role, please read the Supporting Documents on the apply page. ***