Job Description

The Head of Communications & Impact is a key member of the Senior Management Team, leading the strategic direction and operational delivery of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's communications, engagement, and impact initiatives. This role focuses on building brand visibility, enhancing digital engagement, and building on community involvement. The successful candidate will be a creative communicator, adept at collaborating with community and statutory partners, and passionate about amplifying local voices in health and care conversations.

Core Responsibilities

Communications Strategy & Content Development

Strategic Development: Collaborate with the Senior Management Team to devise, execute, and monitor a robust communications and engagement strategy that boosts brand awareness, strengthens the organisation's digital presence, and engages a broader community audience. Content Creation: Oversee the development of diverse content across print and digital platforms, including reports, blogs, advice and news articles, newsletters, leaflets, and promotional materials. Brand Consistency: Ensure all content adheres to Healthwatch branding standards and aligns with the communication guidelines set by Healthwatch England. Support colleagues in branding and messaging for reports and public-facing materials. Digital & Social Media Management: With the support of the SMT, manage and support the organisation's social media and other digital channels, expanding reach and engagement. Community Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with voluntary, community, and statutory organisations to leverage promotional opportunities, share content, and strengthen organisational presence. Seldom-Heard Voices: Work creatively to ensure that underrepresented communities and seldom-heard voices are reflected in Healthwatch's communications.

Public Engagement & Community Outreach

Forum Leadership: Serve as the lead for the Healthwatch Health & Care Forum in Huntingdonshire, supporting the integrated neighbourhood district, including data collection, reporting, and identifying district-wide themes. Public & Partner Representation: Attend public and Integrated Care System (ICS) meetings to represent community perspectives and provide two-way communication channels for stakeholders. Forum Organisation: Manage all aspects of the forum, including agenda setting, venue arrangements, member invitations, and communication. Act as Vice Chair for the forum and ensure regular community engagement. (The forum runs bi-monthly) Collaboration Across Neighbourhoods: Work closely with SMT leads and Healthwatch Integrated Neighbourhood representatives to identify and communicate shared themes and insights across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Impact Management

Team Leadership: Recruit and supervise the Impact & Insights Officer, managing priorities and ensuring high-quality, timely impact reporting. Data Oversight: Maintain oversight of data analysis processes, including statistical and qualitative insights, to inform impact reports. Report Verification: Review and approve all impact reports for publication, ensuring reports meet accuracy standards.

Senior Management Team (SMT) Responsibilities

Team Engagement: Participate in regular SMT meetings, both in-person and online, and support the CEO on projects as needed. Each SMT member oversees a specific Healthwatch Health & Care Forum locality. Reporting & Analysis: Prepare and present monthly and annual departmental updates to the CEO and Board of Directors, and contribute to the annual impact and summit reports.

Additional Responsibilities

Training: Engage in relevant training opportunities to enhance skills applicable to the role. Administrative & Ad-Hoc Support: Complete administrative tasks related to role requirements and respond to any reasonable requests from the CEO or Chair. Health & Safety: Maintain personal health and safety standards in a hybrid work environment.

You will also need to demonstrate

Strong organisational and planning skills, the ability to prioritise in the face of competing demands, and proven success in delivering work personally (and through others) to tight deadlines. Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to engage and build relationships with a range of stakeholders. Computer literacy enabling the effective use of the Microsoft suite of packages, website management and social media skills. Energy and drive with a focus on delivery. Excellent team collaboration skills, supported by practical experience. Excellent interpersonal skills, which enable you to influence internally and externally, at all levels and to work effectively as part of a team The ability to attend meetings throughout the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. An ability and willingness to undertake work outside of normal office hours to meet the needs of the business.

Terms of Contract

This is a fixed-term role, continuing until the closure of the Healthwatch network. The Labour government has announced its intention to close Healthwatch, with responsibility for patient and public engagement and feedback transferring to local authorities and Integrated Care Boards. Implementing this change will require amendments to the Health and Care Act 2012 (as revised in 2022), which may take some time. We anticipate the transition could be completed by October 2026, although the process may be prolonged and take longer.

Join our enthusiastic and committed team

You will be managed by Jess Slater, our CEO and you will work in partnership with the SMT, the wider staff team and with the Chair directly

Working within a small organisation you have to be adaptable and flexible and happy to roll your sleeves up.

How to apply

Please send CV's along with a completed equal opportunities form to Carole Rose @ carole.rose@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk,

Deadline date for applications: Friday 10th October 2025

Interview Date: Monday 20th October 2025

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance
Experience:

Public relations: 2 years (required) Microsoft Office: 2 years (required) Organisational skills: 1 year (required) Leadership: 2 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Huntingdon PE29 7HN