About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting new leadership role to shape how we engage with our communities, partners and political stakeholders, helping to build trust, influence decision-making and support the future of healthcare across South West London and Surrey.
This is a rare opportunity to lead public affairs and stakeholder engagement at St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) at a pivotal moment. As we begin our journey to formally merge our two trusts and deliver our ambitious transformation programme, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the voices of our communities, patients, partners and elected representatives help shape the future of our services.
Working closely with executive leaders and alongside our Head of Transformation Communications, you'll develop and deliver an ambitious public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy, building strong relationships with MPs, local authorities, Healthwatch, system partners and community organisations. From leading engagement on major service change programmes to delivering high-profile visits and supporting our governors and members, you'll ensure gesh is recognised as an open, trusted and influential organisation.
If you're a politically astute communications or public affairs leader with outstanding relationship-building skills and a passion for meaningful engagement, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
We are now in the process of formally merging our two trusts and delivering our ambitious five-year transformation programme. The Group Head of Public Affairs and Stakeholder engagement will play a crucial role in helping to engage, listen and influence key stakeholders so we can deliver our ambition of providing outstanding care together.
Visits to our hospitals and community sites are a key part of our engagement plan and we also have welcomed a host of VIPs including the Queen, every prime minister and every health secretary over the last five years. A key part of this role is to lead these visits for the Group.
The postholder will need to be politically astute, following latest government and local political developments while working under pressure to high standards, be well organised, have great inter-personal skills, and be able to write and communicate to a very high standard.
The post holder will need to be willing to work flexibly when required - occasionally out of hours to support attendance at evening meetings- but we also recognise that rest and recuperation is important, and you will be encouraged to finish on time and take time back if you work longer hours.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are now in the process of formally merging our two trusts and delivering our ambitious five-year transformation programme. The Group Head of Public Affairs and Stakeholder engagement will play a crucial role in helping to engage, listen and influence key stakeholders so we can deliver our ambition of providing outstanding care together
The priority for this role is how we work with our communities, local authorities, local government and MPs to deliver our transformation programme as well as managing our day-to-day engagement.
This post also leads on membership engagement including using our communications channels to support governors and lead on the annual members meeting and annual public meeting of our two trusts.
This role is part of the senior leadership team within the communications department and the post holder will work closely with other heads of services to ensure all activity is integrated with the gesh media, campaigns and staff communications function. This role will also lead on public affairs for the group, managing a B7 stakeholder manager.
All members of the senior team in communications at gesh are expected to be compassionate leaders overseeing a friendly and supportive team, helping colleagues to do their best for our people and patients, take pride in what they do, while having fun, working collaboratively, and creating regular opportunities for development and growth.
The post holder will need to be willing to work flexibly when required occasionally out of hours to support attendance at evening meetings- but we also recognise that rest and recuperation is important, and you will be encouraged to finish on time and take time back if you work longer hours.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Design and deliver, with the support of the stakeholder manager, a comprehensive public affairs strategy to enhance the Group's reputation and build positive relationships with key stakeholders, including patients, staff, government agencies, and the local community
Work with the Head of Transformation Communications to ensure our stakeholder activity is geared towards supporting the deliver of our medium term plan.
Lead on the communications for significant service change programmes including plans for our new kidney hospital and how we engage and involve our communities and staff and work with our local authorities.
Lead on membership engagement and the annual members meeting deliver annual public meetings.
Ensure appropriate representation of gesh at external meetings, conferences, and events, advocating for the Group's medium term plan.
Ensure Executive Directors and other gesh representatives are properly briefed when attending key events and speaking on behalf of the group
Cultivate strong relationships with NHSE, SWL and SEL ICB, local and national government officials, community leaders, and other healthcare organisations to advocate for gesh and its priorities
Contribute to publication of the annual reports for both trusts which are produced by the governance teams
Overseeing the day-to-day running of a busy public affairs function including timely response to MP letters and other correspondence, submitting appropriate papers to overview and scrutiny committees.
Supporting the team to develop and learn best practice in campaigns and communication from other organisations both inside and outside of the NHS to ensure our strategies are effective and results based.
Contribute to the management of the grid and other forward planning tools to ensure the team works strategically in a planned way, prioritising the organisational objectives.
Work closely with the media team to ensure our key partners and stakeholders are involved and support our announcements.
Work closely with our staff engagement team to ensure all communications is planned an integrated and our colleagues hear our announcements first.
Please refer to the attached JD for further details on the role
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- oPublic Affairs and Stakeholder Management experience
- oExperience of using insight to create engaging and innovative campaigns for staff
- oExperience of evaluating campaigns, events and other work to ensure continuous improvement and learning
Desirable
- oAble to take and interpret organisational and national policies in relation to internal communications, on behalf of the Group
- oHigh levels of drive, enthusiasm and stamina to achieve goals and see things through
Skills
Essential
- oExcellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to present complex information to a large variety of audiences
- oUnderstanding of corporate communications and reputation management
- oKnowledge of current health policy. Understanding of dynamics and complexities of the NHS environment
Desirable
- oExcellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to work accurately and to high standards, particularly when under pressure
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree level or equivalent training and/or experience in communications field
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St George's Hospital
Blackshaw Road
London
SW17 0QT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)