Head of Communications and Engagement; Interim

Head of Communications and Engagement (Interim) NHS AfC:
Band 8a (pending AfC banding)

Main area Corporate Communications Grade NHS AfC:
Band 8a (pending AfC banding) Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Interim basis - end of March 2027 - FT wording needs adding) Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working
• Other

Site Royal Albert Edward Infirmary - WWL Town Wigan Salary £55,690 - £62,682 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 07/01/2026 23:59

An exciting opportunity to lead our talented communications team and Trust on our journey to Outstanding. WWL is proud to serve the Wigan Borough community and we are seeking an innovative thinker and compassionate leader to join us as Interim Head of Communications and Engagement for a one-year period.

This is a pivotal role where you will:

Lead and inspire a skilled communications and engagement team.

• Develop and deliver strategies that strengthen staff, patient, and community engagement.
• Shape the future of communications at WWL, exploring new approaches and technologies – including how AI can enhance our work.
• Champion our values
  , ensuring every message reflects our commitment to care, inclusion, and excellence

Please note that this vacancy is subject to Agenda for Change banding and the official banding has not yet been confirmed.

NHS Employees should secure their manager’s agreement for a secondment arrangement ideally prior to applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. This vacancy is offered on a fixed term basis to provide temporary cover and maintain service continuity during staff absences. The contract is for 12 months. Whilst the temporary post is advertised on an acting / secondment basis there is the potential that this post may become permanent in the future.

The Interim Head of Communications and Engagement will play an important role in helping to develop and improve the development and delivery of proactive, innovative and professionally led internal and external communications.

What we’re looking for:

• A proven compassionate leader with experience in communications, strong media management, someone who loves developing and implementing a great comms and engagement plan.
• Someone who is creative, strategic, and passionate about making a difference.
• A collaborative professional who takes pride in serving the Wigan Borough community and focused on effectively engaging with stakeholder.s
• Be part of a Trust that values innovation, compassion, and teamwork.
• Help shape our communications approach during a transformative period.
• Work with a talented, supportive team committed to delivering outstanding care.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values’.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Key results from the job holder

Including what has been outlined above, the Interim Head of Communications and Engagement will line manage the communications team and will be expected to ensure the team delivers the full aims and objectives of the service, including:

• Implementing the Trust narrative/messages/positioning/branding
• Assisting with reputational management
• Internal communications and engagement
• External communications
• Media relations
• Digital communications

Duties and Responsibilities

The…