Communications Manager
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 26/08/2026
- Closes
- 14/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role involves leading and inspiring a communications team to deliver proactive and integrated campaigns on health issues. The manager will provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and partners, ensuring effective engagement with staff, stakeholders, the public, and media. Key responsibilities include managing complex and high-profile communications situations, such as major incidents, service changes, and reputational issues. The post holder will support the Health Board's ambition to shift towards preventing ill health and will deputise for the Head of Communications.
Essential criteria
- Educated to Masters Level or equivalent level of work experience including practical knowledge and experience of methods and approaches as they relate to public relations, communications and media
- Evidence of higher/ further education/continued professional development (such as professional/management qualifications)
- Highly developed in-depth specialist knowledge and experience of communications, engagement and media. The post holder will therefore require expert knowledge of health and public practices, as well as a thorough understanding of local and national political networks and infrastructure.
- Knowledge and expertise on the various tools and techniques of communications including new media and e-communications
- Detailed knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws
- Possess a political awareness and understanding of the complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations to advise senior manages.
Desirable criteria
- Working knowledge of media management systems (e.g. Veulio system)
- Understanding of Welsh legislation and WG delegated powers
- Evidenced ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries in an atmosphere of change/ complex structures and partnership working
- Experience of project management
- Ability to work to deliver to strict deadlines
- Experience of journalism and responsive media communications in a large public sector organisation
- Language skills
- Welsh Language level 2 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 2 may be found at the bottom of this page)
- Welsh Language level 5 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 5 may be found at the bottom of this page)
- Other
- Ability to travel across the Health Board area in a timely manner.
- Flexible approach to work and needs of the service and a willingness to work outside of normal working hours when required (evening and weekends).
- Qualifications and Knowledge
- Educated to Masters Level or equivalent level of work experience including practical knowledge and experience of methods and approaches as they relate to public relations, communications and media
- Evidence of higher/ further education/continued professional development (such as professional/management qualifications)
- Highly developed in-depth specialist knowledge and experience of communications, engagement and media. The post holder will therefore require expert knowledge of health and public practices, as well as a thorough understanding of local and national political networks and infrastructure.
- Knowledge and expertise on the various tools and techniques of communications including new media and e-communications
- Detailed knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws
- Possess a political awareness and understanding of the complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations to advise senior manages.
- Working knowledge of media management systems (e.g. Veulio system)
- Understanding of Welsh legislation and WG delegated powers
- Evidenced ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries in an atmosphere of change/ complex structures and partnership working
- Experience of project management
- Ability to work to deliver to strict deadlines
- Experience of journalism and responsive media communications in a large public sector organisation
- Language skills
- Welsh Language level 2 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 2 may be found at the bottom of this page)
- Welsh Language level 5 (Full details around the expectations associated with level 5 may be found at the bottom of this page)
- Other
- Ability to travel across the Health Board area in a timely manner.
- Flexible approach to work and needs of the service and a willingness to work outside of normal working hours when required (evening and weekends).
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £50,129 – £57,365 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 12d ago · Closes in 8d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Communications Manager
The closing date is 14 September 2026
Job summary
Are you passionate about helping to improve the health and well-being of our communities in mid and west Wales?
The Communications Manager will play a key leadership role in supporting the Health Board's ambition to shift from a service focused on treating illness, to one focused on preventing ill health, or worsening of ill-health.
You will lead and inspire a communications team delivering proactive and integrated communication campaigns on a variety of health issues. Working with senior leaders,cliniciansand partners, you willprovidestrategic communications advice and ensure clear,timelyand effective engagement with staff, stakeholders, the public and the media.
The role also involves managing complex and high-profile communications situations, wherestrongcommunicationis critical. This could range from managing and responding tomajorincidents, supporting service changes programmes, managing reputationalissuesor helping communities understand and engage with important healthcare developments.
We want to hear from people who candemonstratehow their communication skills havedelivered positive outcomes, influenced behaviour change and supported organisationalobjectives.You will be a confident leader, skilledcommunicatorand trusted adviser, capable of building st
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