Communications Director - National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Would you like a newly created executive role where you can have a real and transformative impact on how the NIHR is perceived by its stakeholder audiences?

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides the health research system for England in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research. This research is focused on the needs of patients and the public and involves them at every step. The NIHR invests over £1 billion per year in research in England, yet the brand is virtually unknown outside research circles. The Department of Health and senior leadership of the NIHR are fully committed to changing this and this newly created post reflects this desire.

You will be responsible for establishing and implementing an innovative communications strategy to increase recognition and understanding of the existence, purpose and role of the NIHR. As superb communicator you will possess strong influencing, diplomatic and negotiating skills and command the respect of senior directors, managers and clinicians along with a track record of transformational delivery.

The distributed nature of the NIHR will requires you to provide credible leadership delivering across traditional organisational boundaries and frequently outside of classical hierarchal authority working with key stakeholders including staff, patients, healthcare professionals, charities and life sciences industry.   As part of executive leadership team of the NIHR, you will have presence and will be able to demonstrate inspirational leadership and influence in a host of settings.  You will work closely with the Directors of the NIHR national Coordinating Centres, and senior officers of the Department of Health Science, Research and Evidence Directorate.

You will be a member of the NIHR Strategy Board, which is chaired by the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health, and you will chair the NIHR Communications Programme Board. With the ability to think strategically and grasp complex policy and political issues, you will have a strong understanding of the news and health policy agenda, whilst leading a team across a multi organisational structure.

Your organisational base will be the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Coordinating Centre (which is provided jointly by the University of Leeds and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) and your direct report will be to the CRN Chief Executive Officer.

The employer will be the University of Leeds.

The post will be based in London.

To explore the post further or for any enquiries you may have, please contact:

Tim Brown, Head of Corporate Management and Governance, NIHR CRNCC
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 0323, email: tim.brown@nihr.ac.uk

Further Information

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. We will be happy to consider job share applications and are committed to flexible working for all our employees.