Marketing and Communications Lead
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
- Hours / week
- 37.5
- Posted
- 03/09/2026
- Closes
- 13/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This advert explicitly states that sponsorship is not offered.
The source advert contains explicit wording ruling out sponsorship for this specific role. Consider other live roles at the same band from sponsorship-friendly trusts.
Role summary
This is a 12-month maternity cover contract for an experienced communications professional. The role involves overseeing the Trust's core communications activity, coordinating routine and reactive communications, and providing professional support to colleagues. You will translate organisational priorities into impactful communications to strengthen the Trust's reputation, support staff engagement, and ensure clear information for patients and communities. The position offers hybrid working with some travel and occasional out-of-hours work.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee the Trust's core communications activity, coordinating routine and reactive communications.
- Provide professional support and guidance to colleagues across the service.
- Translate organisational priorities into impactful communications that strengthen the Trust's reputation, support staff engagement, and promote access to services.
- Lead a varied portfolio of campaigns and projects, ensuring communications support strategic objectives and connect with staff, patients, and communities.
- Manage media enquiries and support the Trust's response to incidents and emerging issues.
- Champion accessible, audience-focused communications and role-model inclusive behaviours.
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound professional judgement and deliver high-quality communications in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to analyse highly complex and sensitive information.
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
- Understanding of and use of new technologies, including social media and apps.
- Good understanding of the media landscape and is alert to issues in the media/society, and how they impact on audiences and campaign activities.
- Significant experience of working with senior managers on a wide range of communications digital engagement, media handling, proactive PR, marketing, campaigning, communications strategy and evaluation
- Experience of working collaboratively with key stakeholders to come to an agreed outcome
- Experience of developing media strategies and protocols
- Experience of delivering behaviour change campaigns and using data and insight for evaluation
- Experience of the commissioning process and working with suppliers
- Budget, resource planning and supplier management experience
- Experience of employing national policies in local communications
- Experience of engaging colleagues in developing their understanding of the business strategy and the part they play in its delivery
- Experience of achieving an effective balance between decisiveness and analysis recognising when an issue requires a more considered response or immediate confident decision
- I understand the Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to work for this role, and employment on a time limited visa doesnt guarantee sponsorship at point of expiry.
- Degree in relevant subject area or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of relevant academic study/ relevant professional courses. For example, strategic communications or leadership
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the inclusive and accessible communication, including the Accessible Information Standard and Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
- Experience of operating within a large, multi-site and complex organisation.
- Experience of handling reactive and proactive media relations, including responding to enquiries from regional and national news organisations and supporting the management of reputational issues.
- Experience of providing professional leadership, support and guidance to colleagues.
- Experience of leading marketing and communications projects, including campaign planning, stakeholder engagement, content development and evaluation
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 4d ago · Closes in 7d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Marketing and Communications Lead
The closing date is 13 September 2026
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has
arisen for an experienced communications professional to join our team as
Marketing and Communications Lead on a 12-month maternity cover contract.
Working closely with the Head of Marketing and Communications, you will oversee
the Trust's core communications activity, coordinating the delivery of routine
and reactive communications and providing professional support and guidance to
colleagues across the service.
This is a fixed term post to provide cover for absence for specific
purpose that we anticipate will be required for 12 months. We reserve the right to end this contract
sooner with appropriate notice.
Using your expertise,
creativity and judgement, you will translate organisational priorities into
impactful communications that strengthen the Trust's reputation, support staff
engagement, promote access to services and ensure patients and our communities
receive clear, timely and accessible information.
This is a varied and rewarding
role offering opportunity to further develop your leadership and communications
skills.
-
Full-time hours (37.5 per week)
- Hybrid working with 2-3
days office based
- Some travel and
occasional out-of-hours working
Please note the Trust is unable to provide s
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