At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic communications to amplify the Health Foundation's impact on health and care.
- Company: Join a mission-driven charity dedicated to building a healthier UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic communications and team management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week. All staff are required to work in person for a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. The post-holder may be required to undertake some work outside normal working hours.
About the Health Foundation
Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity and helps build a stronger society. Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK, and health and care services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.
The Health Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to build a healthier UK. We work to achieve this by generating high quality research and analysis; developing practical solutions to the biggest problems in health and health services; engaging, convening and building coalitions to build understanding, inform debate and drive action; and developing the long-term capability needed to transform health and care.
More about us
Our values
We expect everyone who works with us to be committed to our values and to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. Our values are impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration. We also expect everyone to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to help deliver our EDI strategy.
About the role
We are looking for a Senior Strategic Communications Manager to lead strategic communications activity, increasing the reach, influence and impact of the Health Foundation’s work.
You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to develop clear, evidence-informed communications strategies and plans for some of our most important programmes and priorities. Bringing together media relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, events and internal communications, you will ensure our work reaches the right audiences and influence debate and action on health and care.
You will also lead and develop the Strategic Communications team, provide strategic advice to senior colleagues, and help ensure our communications are well planned, coordinated and prioritised.
In this role you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of integrated communications strategies for thematic programmes and organisational priorities.
- Provide strategic communications advice and support to programme directors, senior leaders and colleagues across the Foundation.
- Plan and coordinate communications activity across multiple programmes and priorities to maximise impact and ensure work is effectively prioritised.
- Build understanding of key audiences and stakeholders, developing approaches to increase the reach, influence and impact of our work.
- Lead, support and develop a team of Strategic Communications Managers, creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
- Use evaluation, insight and learning to improve communications activity and drive continuous improvement across the team.
How to apply
Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more.
To apply, please submit your CV, and answer the application questions below. Your supporting statement, covering all three questions, should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum 11-point font). Please be concise and focus on the most relevant examples and outcomes.
Describe an integrated communications strategy you have led for a complex programme, policy area or organisational priority. What were you trying to achieve, how did you use evidence, insight and audience understanding to shape your approach, and what impact did it have?
Describe a time when you worked with senior leaders and managed competing priorities to maximise impact. How did you influence decisions, prioritise activity and bring together different communications disciplines and stakeholders to deliver impact?
Describe your experience of line managing, leading and developing a team of communications professionals. How have you built an inclusive, high-performing team and strengthened strategic communications within your organisation?
Our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity
We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each opportunity on merit.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us. We have identified three key areas to improving diversity. Our aim to achieve a more balanced representation across our organisation, with a particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership, enhancing the representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and welcoming more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from these groups.
Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a more diverse and inclusive workplace together.
If you require any support through this process, please contact us. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.
Closing date: Thursday, 30 July 23:59
Interview / Contact date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026, and Wednesday 19 August 2026.
Senior Strategic Communications Manager in London employer: THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Health Foundation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises impact and evidence-based solutions. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the organisation offers numerous opportunities for professional development while working in a vibrant environment in the heart of the UK, where your contributions can directly influence health policy and improve public health outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Communications Manager in London
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like THE HEALTH FOUNDATION. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like THE HEALTH FOUNDATION, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research THE HEALTH FOUNDATION inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Communications Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of THE HEALTH FOUNDATION. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at THE HEALTH FOUNDATION.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
