Senior Communications Manager

We are looking for an experienced and confident senior communications lead. This role leads KHP's communications service and works across the full range of organisational and strategic needs to further the vision and mission of the partnership, as well as leading the development and implementation of integrated and creative communications strategies.


You should have extensive experience of working in public relations or a communications environment, preferably within an NHS, Academic or Research setting


It will be essential to have experience in senior communications leadership and governance, including sitting on or working closely with Executives/Boards and material development/business case delivery at this level.


You will be a member of the KHP Executive and Senior Management Group working with the Joint Clinical Strategy Directors and Professors of key programmes to oversee delivery progress.


You should have excellent communications and relationship building skills in order to maximise stakeholder management at a local, regional, national and global level, including:


Our own partnership and South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), focussing on population health communications work for the joint programme, as well as across all south east London NHS trusts, primary care, boroughs and healthcare organisations (including Healthwatch, South East London Cancer Alliance, Black Thrive, Impact of Urban Health).
Within London, for SC1 London Life Sciences Innovation District, which was jointly founded by KHP, Lambeth and Southwark Local Authorities and the GSTT Foundation as well as a dotted line of responsibility for the South East London Cancer Alliance's communications lead.
Nationally, with the wider Academic Health Science Centre network, playing a key role in the partnership's reporting and accreditation process into NHS England and Improvement and the National Institute for Health Research
Globally, with members of the European University Health Alliance, and a range of international partners to lead KHP's communications about joint work, e.g., You will lead our communications team which is one of the central teams within KHP. We have about 60 core staff within KHP central, including teams for education, partnerships and programmes, clinical academic partnerships, Mind & Body and business support.


The core team has a Deputy Head of Communications, a Communications Officer and Digital Communications Officer and an Events and Engagement Project Officer.


At KHP, we have a very active programme of professional development, which includes all team strategy meetings, lunch and learns, conferences and other events, with lots of opportunity to get involved in new initiatives and work.
To lead and manage an effective and efficient communications function for Kings Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC). Leadership of the communications teams across the full range of communications activities, including professional management of associated communications staff.
Management of the strategic planning, oversight of operational delivery and management of the budget for Kings Health Partners core communications strategy and functions.
Providing strategic advice to the KHP Executive Director, Director of Partnerships and Operations, Director of Strategy , Executive Group and Senior Leadership Team on the strategic direction and approach for all KHP workstreams and proposals.
Leading on the management, strategic planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of all KHP communications channels including its website, social media, internal and external events, stakeholder engagement and newsletter.
Management of all media relations for the Academic Health Sciences Centre and its Senior Leadership Team.
Leading on communications for the core programmes of work within Kings Health Partners (Centre for Translational Medicine, KHP Digital Health Hub, Clinical Academic Groups and Clinical Academic Partnerships, KHP Mind & Body Programme, KHP Education and Kings Clinical Academic Training Office (KCATO), the joint SEL ICS and KHP Population Health and Equity Programme, Academic Surgery) providing expert advice, guidance and oversight to embedded communications staff as required.
Leading on relationships with our partnerships various fundraising teams, ensuring promotion of their work and campaigns, brand governance and alignment and offering strategic communications advice.
Leading communications strategies for the development of the Clinical Academic Partnerships (CAPs) and Clinical Academic Groups (CAGs) , ensuring effective collaboration across partner organisation Communications Directors, providing appropriate communications leadership, direction and support for the programme boards, KHP Senior Leadership Team..
Provide leadership and strategic communications direction for the Academic Health Science Centres implementation of its strategy.
Holding and building the relationships with other Academic Health Science Centres and Health Innovation Networks to ensure that KHP maintains a leading position in its field, working out and through external groups to achieve this.
Holding and building our relationships with our four partner Communications teams, SEL ICS, and our key system stakeholder communications teams including the Health Innovation Network South London and NIHR infrastructure
Leading and overseeingall international communications, including with EUHA, our Global Health programme and our international collaborations and partnerships.
Providing expert advice, guidance and oversight to embedded communications staff and ensuring brand and style governance is maintained throughout all KHP sub-channels.
Ensuring that all of KHPs communications channels and content are in line accessibility legislation and good practice, and building on diversity, inclusion and equity within all channels and content.
Building on the success of the YouTube funded partnership for its health strategy for KHP, working with communications leads from Kings College London and South London and Maudsley.
Leading on strategic communications advice and guidance for our business and operational management and working with the other senior staff to support office, staff and operational management and direction.
Leading the communications strategies for the Clinical Academic Partnerships , ensuring effective collaboration across partner organisation Communications Directors, providing appropriate communications leadership, direction and support.

Post graduate communications or management qualification


Experience in senior communications leadership and governance role (ideally in NHS, Academic or Research setting), including sitting on or working closely with Executives/Boards and material development/business case creation and delivery


A strategic thinker with excellent communications skills (written and verbal) and demonstrable stakeholder and team management


Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust