At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and impactful campaigns to drive change in public services.
- Company: Join the vibrant Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Empowering leadership role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape public administration and improve national services with your campaign expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic communications and campaign delivery in regulated environments.
Ready to join the PHSO at a pivotal moment in the organisations strategic shift? Then make your application to this Head of Strategic Comms & Campaigns role!
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 Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns, working closely with the senior leadership team, will have a unique dual mandate: inside the organisation, you will reshape the view of communications with a shift to a more cohesive, proactive, insight-led campaigns model. Outside the organisation, you will be 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.
Here's how to apply:
In addition to your CV, please provide a 700 word 'personal statement' (as a front cover to your CV/1 Document please) evidencing how you meet 'what you bring' criteria listed in the role profile.
Job Description
As the Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns you will...
- 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 as the Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns 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 positive 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 day & 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.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 15th June 5pm
Interview Dates: W/C 29th June 2026
Feedback: we are unable offer feedback at application stage
Right to work: we can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK, sponsorship is not available.
Early closure: we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns in London employer: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises passionate individuals committed to making a difference in public services. With a focus on employee growth through strategic leadership opportunities and a supportive hybrid working model, PHSO fosters an inclusive environment where innovative ideas thrive, ensuring that your contributions lead to meaningful systemic change across the UK government and NHS.
Contact Details:
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman 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
Prepare for the interview by researching the PHSO's recent campaigns and initiatives. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission to improve public services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! You’ll need to convey complex ideas simply and engagingly. Think of examples from your past work that highlight your strategic communication prowess.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Make sure it’s tailored to the role and highlights how your experience aligns with the criteria. Use clear examples to showcase your strategic communication skills and campaign successes.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:With a 700-word limit, every word counts! Stick to the point and avoid fluff. Focus on what’s most relevant to the Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns role, ensuring you demonstrate your understanding of the organisation's mission.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:As a potential leader, we want to see how you inspire and mentor teams. Share specific instances where you've led campaigns or initiatives, highlighting your ability to foster collaboration and drive results in a dynamic environment.
Proofread and Format Like a Pro:Before hitting send, give your application a thorough proofread. Check for typos and ensure your CV and personal statement are well-formatted. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the PHSO and its recent initiatives. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Craft Your Personal Statement Wisely
Your personal statement is crucial. Make sure it clearly outlines how your strategic communication expertise and campaign experience meet the role's criteria. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your impact and how you can contribute to the PHSO's objectives.
✨Prepare for Insight-Driven Questions
Expect questions about how you would implement an insight-led campaigns approach. Be ready to discuss your methods for gathering data, evaluating campaign effectiveness, and how you would use insights to drive continuous improvement in communications.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a potential leader, be prepared to discuss your approach to team management and collaboration. Share examples of how you've built positive team cultures and led multi-disciplinary teams through change, emphasising your empowering leadership style.
