Associate Director of Communications & Engagement

Role overview

Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group is bringing together 18,000 colleagues across three NHS hospital trusts to drive major improvements in health and care for the people of Norfolk and Waveney. The organisation is focused on raising performance, strengthening services, and delivering high-quality care now while building an even better future.

This ambition depends on meaningful transformation rather than doing more of the same. The Group is looking for fresh thinking, innovation and the ability to deliver change at scale through strong communication and engagement.

As Associate Director, you will play a key part in shaping the communications and engagement function and making a direct difference for staff, partners, patients and local communities. This is a high-impact opportunity for someone who brings strategic judgement, confidence in complexity and the ability to lead through change.

You will work alongside the Group Director and another Associate Director, helping steer a portfolio that includes the recovery programme, Group strategy development, digital transformation and the delivery of two new hospital builds. The role requires senior-level advice, close collaboration with system partners, and clear planning and delivery of communications and engagement activity for major strategic programmes.

A major focus of the post will be employee engagement and supporting 18,000 colleagues through a long period of change. You will also help ensure that engagement with external stakeholders is thoughtful, timely and effective.

You will partner closely with the other Associate Director who leads on public affairs, media relations and digital channels, with mutual deputising for each other and for the Group Director as needed.

The role includes leadership of a team made up of two Communications Managers, one focused on engagement and one on research and partnership communications, plus a change management specialist supporting the Electronic Patient Record programme. Your team will also provide events, logistics and administrative support to the wider communications and engagement function.

About the Group

The newly formed Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group is putting people and culture at the centre of transformation. By operating as one system, the Group aims to strengthen workforce development, improve staff experience and build more consistent, supportive leadership across all three hospitals.

This approach is designed to improve training, strengthen wellbeing support and create a culture grounded in compassion, flexibility and continuous learning. It also supports national priorities by ensuring the workforce is adaptable, skilled and prepared for future models of care, while improving quality, resilience and sustainability across the organisation.

Employee benefits

The Group offers a range of staff benefits, including flexible working hours, a Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service, a multi-faith prayer room at the NNUH Colney Lane site, discounted gym memberships, a generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement, access to Wagestream for up to 40% of pay as it is earned, a free Park & Ride service to the NNUH Colney Lane site, 24-hour confidential counselling support, an on-site nursery at NNUH Colney Lane, staff-discounted on-site cafes at NNUH Colney Lane, career development support, a flexible staff bank, and salary sacrifice options such as lease cars, Cycle to Work and home electronics schemes.

Contact for informal discussion

For further details or an informal conversation, contact Ben White, Group Director of Communications & Engagement, at ben.white@nnuh.nhs.uk.