About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about helping to improve the health and well-being of our communities in mid and west Wales?
We are looking for a communication professional who wants to make a difference through your work and contribute to improved health and well-being for our communities.
The Senior Communications Officer - Public Health will support us in our ambition to shift from a service focused on treating illness, to one focused on preventing ill health, or worsening of ill-health.
You will need to deliver proactive and integrated communication campaigns on a variety of health issues as part of the role. You will also help manage challenging situations, where good communications is critical. This could range from managing the communications around a local public health risk to supporting with a change in how health services are provided.
We want to hear from people who can evidence how their communication work has delivered positive outcomes and have experience of supporting behaviour change.
If this sounds like you, please tell us in your application how you meet the essential criteria. We would love to hear about your relevant experience and ideas.
Main duties of the job
The role requires an experienced communications professional who can provide leadership within the communications team and advise senior managers within the organisation on their approach to open, transparent, and honest communication, in line with our Duty of Candour.
You will use communications to influence behaviour change that benefits the health of our communities. You will need to provide our internal and external audiences with clear information and creative content, using integrated communication approaches and campaigns. This could include communication on improving health, accessing services, service change, or in a major incident, in line with our Warning and Informing duties.
You will need to be able to demonstrate experience of using varied mechanisms for dialogue with staff, patients, our communities, and stakeholders, and you will need to evaluate this to show outcomes and continuously learn and improve.
You will deliver a programme of content and communication which also recognises and celebrates staff and UHB achievements, which benefit the local population and wider health service.
You will provide a reactive service to respond effectively to what can be complex and sensitive enquiries from staff, journalists and social media users.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh isdesirablefor this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
This post could be based across our Health Board area. Please reach out to discuss with the appointing manager our hybrid working options.
Interviews will be held on 10.07.2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge Essential
Educated to degree level in relevant field (public relations, communications, media or marketing) or equivalent qualification or experience of working at this level. Knowledge of communication approaches and delivery obtained through either postgraduate level education or professional CPD in relevant field, or evidenced experience working at this level. Specialist knowledge and experience of communication in fields of internal communications, media communications, or digital communications. Qualification or demonstrative knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws for publishers. Understanding of Editor's Code of Conduct and the Chartered Institute of Public Relation's professional code of conduct and a willingness to act within accordance of them Demonstrable continued professional development.
Desirable
Certified member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations or Chartered Institute of Marketing. Working knowledge of media relationship systems and website content management system Understanding of Welsh legislation and WG delegated powers, particularly within health, and of political environment within Wales.
Experience Essential
Previous experience of working in a communications team or evidence of leading communication campaigns across internal, external, and digital channels, including using social media, with a proven track record. Practise or equivalent knowledge of using communications as an enabler of behavioural change. Experience of creating basic graphic design to help communicate messages. Experience in taking basic photos, video shooting and editing. Experience of line management of staff.
Desirable
Evidenced ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries in an atmosphere of change/ complex structures and partnership working. Experience of working with staff and journalists in a responsive role for the NHS or another large public sector organisation.
Language Skills Desirable
Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire - Hybrid home and office working
To Be Confirmed
SA31 3BB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)