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- Tasks: Lead transformational strategic communications for health and care research.
- Company: Join the National Institute of Health and Care Research, a pivotal organisation in health research.
- Benefits: Enjoy 42 days of holiday, generous pension, and access to personal development courses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national health communications and engage diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading integrated communications strategies at a senior level.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career growth await you.
The predicted salary is between 61759 - 73708 £ per year.
Location: Queen Street in Leeds or Bishopsgate in London
Salary: £61,759 to £73,708 p.a. pro rata. London weighting £5,217 p.a pro rata (if applicable)
Working Pattern: We work in a hybrid way with an expectation that all RDNCC staff spend at least 40% of their time in the office. We are also open to discussing other flexible working arrangements.
Do you want to be a pivotal part of an incredible organisation powering health and care research? Do you have experience of leading transformational strategic communications at a senior level? Are you confident working with senior stakeholders across government, health and a range of other sectors?
This is truly an exciting time to be joining the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) communications function. As Head of Strategic Communications, you will lead NIHR's evolving approach to integrated and powerful strategic communications – critical to the new NIHR Communications Strategy. You will be responsible for leading key elements of the NIHR Communications Strategy, including overall NIHR communications planning, monitoring and evaluation, and the creation and delivery of a NIHR audience plan.
You will be a senior communications strategist with specialist expertise, knowledge and professional credibility in leading integrated communications plans – including creative campaigns - that shift understanding, attitudes and behaviours and build engagement in health and care research. This includes diverse people and communities across the nation, as well as stakeholders in the NHS and broader health and social care system.
This role requires some national travel.
The RDNCC is one of a number of contracts through which Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) research funding is distributed. The DHSC is currently undertaking a tender process to determine where some functions within these contracts will be hosted. It is expected that this role, and others within the same RDNCC function, will need to move to a new employing organisation from the start date of the new DHSC contract (expected to be from April 2027). This change of employment would be managed under a 'TUPE' process.
What we offer in return:
- 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
- Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary
- Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls
- Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team
- All Faculty of Medicine and Health staff are entitled to ten days staff development per year (pro rata). Please speak to your line manager about how you can utilise these
- Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available
- And much more!
If you are looking for a role that will lead a transformative communications strategy and have the vision, expertise, and leadership to deliver impactful, integrated communications at a national level, apply today.
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: Jennifer Walters, Director of Communications, email: jennifer.walters@nihr.ac.uk
Application process: As part of the RDNCC's commitment to inclusion and equity of opportunity, our shortlisting stage is undertaken with names removed from job applications. Please do not include identifiable information in uploaded documents, file names or free text fields (e.g., names, photos, contact details) other than those specifically requested in the personal details section of the application form.
Head of Strategic Communications in London employer: University of Leeds
Contact Detail:
University of Leeds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Communications in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and care sector, especially those who might know someone at NIHR. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching NIHR's current communications strategy. Show us you understand their goals and how your experience aligns with their vision. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic communications expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to convey your leadership style and how you’ve successfully led integrated communications plans before. Keep it concise and impactful – we want to see your passion shine through!
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining our incredible team at NIHR.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Communications in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Strategic Communications. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your past successes in strategic communications. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in leading integrated communications plans.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your writing is easy to read. This will help us quickly grasp your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered in the right context. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Leeds
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the NIHR Communications Strategy. Understand its goals and how your experience aligns with their vision. This will help you speak confidently about how you can lead transformational strategic communications.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your past experiences where you've successfully led integrated communications plans. Highlight specific campaigns that shifted understanding or engagement in health and care research, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach working with senior stakeholders across various sectors. Be ready to discuss strategies for building relationships and fostering collaboration, as this will be key in your new role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the future of the NIHR communications function and how they envision the role evolving. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your career goals.
