Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement

Job content

Setting strategy and delivering long-term transformation Lead the co-design, implementation, and evaluation of an ICB communications and engagement strategy that will enable the ICB to develop, build, and promote its reputation and brand, while also ensuring that the needs of the Chair and Chief Executive in the discharge of their statutory duties relating to public and patient engagement are, at all times, fully met. Lead the development and delivery of tactical, operational, and strategic communications and involvement plans associated with the population health services of the ICS. Promote varied and innovative means of communicating and engaging with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight population, and ensure that health awareness and health promotion initiatives are well-positioned, credible, and effective. Develop and implement a framework for public involvement that ensures insight and feedback from patients and the public influences and shapes the work of the ICB and wider ICS.

Driving high quality, sustainable outcomes Provide strategic counsel on communications issues to the ICB Chief Executive and Board colleagues, helping inform effective decision-making which supports the health needs of Hampshire and Isle of Wight communities. Work closely and collaboratively with ICB senior leadership colleagues to oversee the quality of all health services delivered across the ICS, and ensure the promotion of patient and public involvement in design and decision-making processes. Influence leadership relationships and engagement opportunities to ensure that the ICB acts as an enabler to harness system development opportunities for the benefit of population health improvements. Lead communications activity associated with major incident response and management.

Establishing robust governance and assurance Support a strong culture of public accountability, probity, and governance, ensuring that appropriate and compliant structures, systems, and process are in place to minimise risk and promote the freedom to speak up. Oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of key policies relating to best practice communications and media management, and develop and implement supporting guidance and training. Undertake research among key audiences and, evaluating the information received, make recommendations for the further development and improvement of ICB communications and engagement channels and platforms. Building trusted relationships with partners and communities Build and maintain strong and highly effective collaborative working relationships with system partners, and wider regional and national partners (including the voluntary and community sector; media; patient groups; and pressure groups), thereby creating the conditions for successful partnerships and promoting a culture of co-design and collaboration beyond the statutory sector.

Ensure that the ICB influences and seeks input from wider ICS system leaders, including provider collaboratives; public health; local government; the voluntary and community sector; other partners; and local people, with the aim of making real transformational differences for local populations through the improvement of clinical outcomes, the reduction of health inequalities, and the achievement of better life outcomes. Leading for social justice and health equality Contribute to the promotion and facilitation of collective responsibility for improving whole patient pathways and removing organisational barriers to accessing health and care services. Support and influence effective engagement with the public on matters relating to improvements in their own health and wellbeing, and also on matters relating to strategic change, specifically enabling and supporting partner organisations to comply with all relevant guidance and legislation informing engagement and consultation. Creating a compassionate and inclusive culture Provide visible and strategic leadership to the communications and engagement community within Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Provide leadership, and professional and pastoral support in the development and maintenance of a cohesive, competent, and high-performing ICB communications and engagement function, which interacts effectively with communications and engagement colleagues within ICS partner organisations. Promote the creation and maintenance of a truly inclusive working environment, and actively champion diversity and inclusion in the development and implementation of communications strategies and supporting materials (ensuring such materials are accessible, meaningful, and understandable to all audiences, and therefore use diverse images and content). Ensure that there is specific attention to the needs of the legislative framework of the Equality Act and associated Accessibility Standards, including supporting commitments to minority groups, reducing inequalities, and providing widely accessible public-facing information and documents. These main duties and responsibilities reflect the current, core focus for the role of Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement.

These are not exhaustive, and the post-holder can expect to take on other responsibilities or specific tasks, as required. Further, over time, it is likely that the remit and requirements of the role will evolve. Therefore, this role description will be regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, revised.