Director of Public Accountability Communications & Engagement

The Public Accountability, Communications and Engagement directorate's purpose is to:

• ensure NHS staff have the information they need and leadership to make decisions in the best interests of patients and the NHS;


• drive behaviour changes through public campaigns;


• defend the reputation of the NHS and work with external influencers to share accurate information on the NHS priorities and performance;


• lead the communications professions across the NHS.


We are looking for a highly motivated and strategically minded communications leader to take forward the work of the PACE directorate on an interim basis of ten months.

This role is one of the most demanding, exciting and rewarding communications roles in the country, and we welcome applications from high calibre candidates looking to make a positive contribution to how the NHS delivers for patients.

The successful individual will have an excellent understanding of the political, government and media landscape, as well as the latest evidence-based best practice across a range of communications disciplines.

This technical expertise will be in addition to the ability to build, motivate and inspire high performing teams, and provide professional leadership of communications and engagement activity across the wider NHS., The successful candidate will lead, and be responsible for getting the best from a multi-disciplinary team of communications professionals who support the delivery of NHS England's core objectives and corporate responsibilities. Working with and through that team, they will be expected to oversee sophisticated and strategic handling of a wide range of communications issues, often at rapid pace, with the ability to prioritise effectively.

They will be accountable for the delivery of a broad range of functions and objectives, ensuring that the organisation listens to and is responsive to its stakeholders - including NHS staff, patients and the public - and its outputs are of a consistent high quality and value. This includes:

• overseeing public and Parliamentary accountability through our Parliamentary Hub and Freedom of Information teams;


• planning and executing award-winning multi-media campaigns that support the NHS' main priorities, including building a sustainable workforce and improving early detection rates for cancer;


• galvanising action on key priorities across the organisation and wider health and care landscape through effective internal and corporate communications and stakeholder engagement;


• ensuring staff, patients and the public receive clear and accurate information about NHS services, including through one of the busiest media teams in the country and social media channels; producing content seen over 10 million times every month.
  
  The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:


• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.


• Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.


• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care


• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation


• Delivering value for money.