Head of Communications

Please note this vacancy is only open to applications from those employed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Care System. These include:

• Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust) 
• Isle of Wight NHS Trust 
• Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust 
• South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. 

Employer: Isle of Wight NHS Trust & Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Department: Communications and Engagement Single Corporate Services
Location: Multi-site (Isle of Wight & Portsmouth)
Salary: Band 8a 55690 - 62682 per annum pro rata
Job Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time 37.5 hours per week 
Closing Date: Monday 24th November 2025
Interview Date: Wednesday 10th December 2025
 

We are seeking two dynamic and experienced Heads of Communications to join our Single Corporate Services Communications and Engagement Team supporting both the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

These are pivotal roles within a fast-paced creative and collaborative team where you will lead the development and delivery of strategic communications and engagement programmes that support organisational priorities enhance reputation and connect meaningfully with our staff patients and communities.

Main Duties of the Job

• Lead and implement proactive communications strategies across both Trusts.
• Manage complex campaigns media relations and reputation management.
• Provide expert advice on internal and external communications including crisis response.
• Collaborate with senior leaders clinicians and stakeholders to promote services and initiatives.
• Champion inclusive communications that reflect the diversity of our population.
• Line manage communications staff and contribute to the creative direction of the team.
• Support consultation and engagement activities ensuring meaningful involvement of staff patients and the public.
• Deputise for the Associate Director of Communications as required.

About You

Were looking for individuals who are:

• Educated to degree level in communications journalism PR or a related field (postgraduate qualification desirable).
• Experienced in leading communications in a complex organisation ideally within healthcare.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement media handling and strategic messaging.
• Confident in managing sensitive issues and high-profile campaigns.
• Strong leaders and team players with excellent communication and project management skills.
• Able to work flexibly across sites and as part of an on-call rota.

Working for Our Organisation

These roles are part of a Single Corporate Service supporting both Trusts. Youll be working across two vibrant NHS organisations contributing to meaningful change and innovation in healthcare communications. Travel between sites may be required with arrangements discussed individually.

We value diversity inclusion and creativity and offer a supportive environment where your ideas and leadership will make a real difference.

Apply Now

If youre ready to lead impactful communications in roles that span two forward-thinking NHS Trusts wed love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion please contact: Carol Deans Group Director of Communications via Anna Benford Executive Assistant on ext 4204 or Jenny Renyard Associate Director of Communications via email -  

Job Description

Qualifications :

Essential

• Educated to degree level public relations journalism digital communications or another relevant field (or equivalent experience).
• Postgraduate qualification in relevant subject area or equivalent relevant experience
• Evidence of continued professional development and national best practice within the communications sector.

Desirable

• Specialist communication post graduate qualification in the field of healthcare (or working towards)

Experience 

• Extensive experience of communications journalism and marketing techniques and approaches.
• Extensive experience of working within a senior communications role preferably within a large and complex organisation with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of developing delivering and evaluating communication and engagement plans tailored to a range of audiences including patients communities staff and other key stakeholders.
• Experienced in delivering communications and engagement activity to support large scale change.
• Confidence and ability to lead and deliver communication campaigns ensuring alignment with the wider organisational strategy.
• Understanding and experience of stakeholder management and engagement and evidence of application of approach.
• Experience of handling complex/sensitive issues or scenarios i.e. legal investigation confidentiality controversy.
• Demonstrable experience of utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve desired outcomes i.e. when working with directors senior leaders/managers clinicians

Desirable

• Experience/understanding of healthcare communications.
• Experience of crisis management.
• High level of political awareness and sensitivity - ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of NHS structures processes and current issues.

Knowledge 

Essential 

• Ability to influence strategic decision making for the benefit of the Trusts and their stakeholders.
• Proactive and highly motivated with a flexible approach and receptive to change.
• Proven track record of leading project managing and delivering communications campaigns and events.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing and conflicting interests in challenging situations with a range of factors to consider.
• Strong team player demonstrable evidence of supporting motivating and guiding colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent people management and leadership skills motivating people to live up to our values and succeed.
• Excellent time and project management skills
• Excellent communication skills including editing copywriting and interview techniques.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Confidence to work independently and advise senior colleagues utilising negotiating and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes.
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Outlook PowerPoint Microsoft Word and a good working knowledge of online content management systems.
• Sound news judgement and sound working knowledge of journalism and the media.
• Understanding of multimedia campaigns digital communications and social media
• Multi-disciplinary working encompassing PR communications online and offline media events etc
• Experience of making formal presentation on complex or contentious topics using appropriate approaches

Additional Information :

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ Race Equality and DisAbility and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education opinions culture ethnicity race sex gender identity and expression nation of origin age languages spoken veterans status colour religion disability sexual orientation and beliefs.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time