Job Description

A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional individual to be appointed as Senior Communications & Engagement Manager (Band 8a).
The post is fixed term / secondment for 2 years due to secondment cover.
If you are interested in applying as a secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.
This senior leadership role will be part of the wider Communications, Engagement and Involvement service with responsibility for managing and developing the Communications, Campaigns and Engagement teams. The individual will have exceptional communications expertise and will need to influence, advise and add strategic value to every initiative
The post holder will require excellent communication skills, have a positive and flexible approach to the needs of the service, be motivated, ready for the next challenge and enjoy working as part of a very busy team.
The post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
Lead and manage the Communications and Engagement teams, taking an insight-led approach to campaigns, digital and media communications, public engagement; internal and external stakeholder communications, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.
Working closely with the Senior Public Involvement Manager and Head of Communications, Engagement and Involvement, contribute to, develop and implement a national Communications, Engagement and Involvement strategy which reflects Welsh Government's ambitions for Health and Care Research Wales
Lead the development of bespoke high-level communication and engagement plans on key policy objectives for Health and Care Research Wales to promote research and raise the profile of the sector
Support the Head of Communications, Engagement & Involvement in the coordination and programming of the service's teams and activities, deputising as appropriate and necessary.
About us
This is a Health and Care Research Wales post, hosted by Powys Teaching Health Board.
Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.
Health and Care Research Wales works in support of Welsh Government's overarching goal which is to ensure that today's research makes a difference to tomorrow's care.
Its mission is to promote, support and provide collective oversight of health and social care research in Wales, ensuring it is of the highest international scientific quality, is relevant to the needs and challenges of health and social care in Wales and makes a difference to policy and practice in ways that improve the lives of patients, people, and communities in Wales.
Details
Date posted
04 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
56,514 to 63,623 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
2 years
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
070-AC112-0925
Job locations
Cardiff
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply
Person Specification
Qualifcations
Essential

• Educated to postgraduate level in Communications, Public Engagement, Marketing, Journalism or with equivalent relevant experience of working in a senior role within a Communications, Media Relations or Engagement position
• Significant specialist knowledge of strategic Communications and Public Relations and /or Media/ Journalism /Marketing techniques, approaches and procedures
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Significant knowledge of health policy and political environment
• Significant comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory and legislative environment relevant to Communications, ie. Welsh Language standards, GDPR, Freedom of Information; Accessibility standards

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working at management level leading Communication / Media /Engagement teams in-house or in a PR agency
• Significant experience in the planning, co-ordination and conduct of Communications and Public Engagement campaigns, Media output and online engagement
• Demonstrable experience in service development and in managing associated financial budgets
• Demonstrable experience of media handling and developing responses on complex issues as well as working with the media to promote / broadcast positive news
• Significant project management experience, as well as experience of managing multiple work streams to deadlines
• Demonstrable experience of staff management, particularly in the line management of Communications, Media and Public Engagement staff
• Significant experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and crossorganisational working

Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences
• Ability to assimilate complex information and develop effective communications plans and outputs based on this
• Proven interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
• Ability to develop long-term implementation plans in uncertain contexts, involving multiple projects or workstreams
• Ability to plan implementation of communications strategies across a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and ability to make reasoned judgements
• Ability to plan, manage and deliver projects involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and ability to make judgements
• Significant IT skills, particularly in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel and Access)
• Ability to set up and maintain complex databases / spreadsheets
• Organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise heavy workloads and manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to design and deliver effective training

Values
Essential

• Demonstrate PTHB Values
• Highly motivated and committed, with the ability to influence, inspire and motivate others
• Flexible approach to ensure that the needs of the organisation are met
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Strong people skills, with an ability to work with a wide range of people

Other
Essential

• Available and willing to travel regularly to locations in Wales and the UK
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively according to demand

Person Specification
Qualifcations
Essential

• Educated to postgraduate level in Communications, Public Engagement, Marketing, Journalism or with equivalent relevant experience of working in a senior role within a Communications, Media Relations or Engagement position
• Significant specialist knowledge of strategic Communications and Public Relations and /or Media/ Journalism /Marketing techniques, approaches and procedures
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Significant knowledge of health policy and political environment
• Significant comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory and legislative environment relevant to Communications, ie. Welsh Language standards, GDPR, Freedom of Information; Accessibility standards

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working at management level leading Communication / Media /Engagement teams in-house or in a PR agency
• Significant experience in the planning, co-ordination and conduct of Communications and Public Engagement campaigns, Media output and online engagement
• Demonstrable experience in service development and in managing associated financial budgets
• Demonstrable experience of media handling and developing responses on complex issues as well as working with the media to promote / broadcast positive news
• Significant project management experience, as well as experience of managing multiple work streams to deadlines
• Demonstrable experience of staff management, particularly in the line management of Communications, Media and Public Engagement staff
• Significant experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and crossorganisational working

Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences
• Ability to assimilate complex information and develop effective communications plans and outputs based on this
• Proven interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
• Ability to develop long-term implementation plans in uncertain contexts, involving multiple projects or workstreams
• Ability to plan implementation of communications strategies across a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and ability to make reasoned judgements
• Ability to plan, manage and deliver projects involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and ability to make judgements
• Significant IT skills, particularly in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel and Access)
• Ability to set up and maintain complex databases / spreadsheets
• Organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise heavy workloads and manage time effectively to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to design and deliver effective training

Values
Essential

• Demonstrate PTHB Values
• Highly motivated and committed, with the ability to influence, inspire and motivate others
• Flexible approach to ensure that the needs of the organisation are met
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Strong people skills, with an ability to work with a wide range of people

Other
Essential

• Available and willing to travel regularly to locations in Wales and the UK
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively according to demand

Skills Required