Research Communications and Engagement Manager (Maternity Cover)
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Full-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 28/08/2026
- Closes
- 13/09/2026
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 developing and leading communication and engagement strategies for research, focusing on staff, public, and stakeholder engagement. The post holder will create dynamic campaigns, build on awareness activities, and support reputation building to secure funding. This is a 10-month fixed-term maternity cover position, requiring on-site presence at least once a week.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and lead on delivery of communication and engagement strategies for Research.
- Work closely with the Head of Research and Innovation Communications.
- Develop and lead on dynamic, relevant and engaging Research campaigns and communications activity.
- Build on successful awareness raising activity to increase participation and staff engagement in research.
- Support delivery of reputation building work for securing funding.
- Build measurement into all activities, testing and adapting as needed.
Essential criteria
- Our Always values
- A degree, preferably in a science discipline and/or relevant work experience
- Experience working in external communications / marketing team and with the media
- Experience writing engaging copy for a variety of channels, from newsletters to an intranet and website.
- Experience of staff engagement programmes and internal communications
- Experience of using a wide range of communications tools and channels, including social media, with the ability to identify the right channel for any particular audience.
- Demonstrable experience of looking for ways to improve approaches, seeking out innovation to improve outcomes for audience/s.
- Experience testing and trying new content formats and approaches, measuring and learning from the results
- Ability to work without close supervision, providing specialist advice to the organisation, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Experience of working productively in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of building good stakeholder relations within roles
- Managing multiple projects, leading regular reviews and making changes where necessary.
- Experience using Microsoft Office 365, incl. Teams and SharePoint
- Experience of supporting effective media, external and / or digital comms plans for initiatives or projects; with tangible examples of successful delivery.
- Experience of research communications
- Understanding of research landscape within a healthcare setting
- Understanding of professional and current issues related to the NHS, and relevant fields
- Excellent writing, editing and proofing skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Strong analytical skills to ensure the true issues are identified and appropriate actions taken to promote positive stories, to ensure effective promotion of research and innovation, and to manage the reputation of organisations and leaders
- Ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely for a diverse range of channels and audiences
- Very organised and calm under pressure, with a track record of delivering objectives against tight deadlines
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations quickly, and develop a range of creative and appropriate options
- Good team player - involving, listening to and respecting others
- Proactive, positive and self-motivated, with the ability to organise time and work with minimum supervision
- Ability to deliver projects on time and on budget, dealing effectively with competing / conflicting demands
- Ability to build rapport and trust at all levels
- Confident and able to form credible and effective relationships with all levels of staff, including senior management
Desirable criteria
- PhD/Masters or equivalent experience in research
- Professional qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience working in local authority, government, NHS or voluntary organisations and health provider/s.
- Famliar with media monitoring platforms like PRGloo/Cision/Gorkana
- Project management experience
- Familiar with Adobe Photoshop or similar
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
Posted 3d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
One of our core priorities in our 'Together We Power Care' strategy is to accelerate translational research and innovation to save and improve lives. GOSH, together with the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, are world-renowned for translational research activities. As an Intelligent Research Hospital, we want to make sure that research and innovation is fully integrated across all areas and that all of our staff, patients and their families have the opportunity to take part.
Maternity leave in the communications team means we have an 10-month fixed term post where we will continue to build research staff engagement into established, strong track record of communications. If you have experience in authentic communications on the latest research, coupled with engaging staff, we want to hear from you. The post holder would need to be on site a minimum of once-a-week and occasionally at short notice.
We work flexibly in the team, on-site and remotely but for interview, if possible, we'd love to meet you in person.
Main duties of the job
This post will develop and lead on delivery of communication and engagement strategies for Research, including to our own staff. Working closely with the Head of Research and Innovation Communications, this post holder will develop and lead on dynamic, relevant and engaging Research campaigns and communications
Join the community to read the full pack, responsibilities and person-specification in one place.
Your seat is reserved — activate it
CareerHive is included with your CareerHive Skool community membership. If you haven't claimed your account yet, join the community (or sign in with the same email you joined with) to unlock the full advert, the apply link, HiveMind AI interview & application suite, your private vault, and daily sponsorship alerts.