Senior Communication and Engagement Officer

The closing date is 25 January 2026

Senior Communication and Engagement Officer

The Communication and Engagement Team of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is seeking an experienced and skilled communications and engagement professional for the following role.

This position will provide the successful candidate with an exciting opportunity to work on a wide range of interesting projects, alongside a professional team of Communication and Engagement and Digital Services colleagues. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to support the provision of communication and engagement services, relating to the provision of current and future healthcare across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The post-holder will be required to deliver a high standard of effective communications and have knowledge of social marketing; modern methods of digital communication and engagement will be essential. Excellent relationships with partner organisations will also be fundamental to the role.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this role; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Head of Communications and Engagement in the provision of communications and engagement services within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
• Represent the Head of Communications and Engagement at Executive Board meetings and meetings with other members of senior management - offering strategic advice over appropriate responses to lines of enquiry and working with senior managers to develop and issue media messages.
• Support the Head of Communications and the Executive Board within the organisation to share corporate objectives and to actively promote the University Health Board values and services amongst the internal workforce, service users, external partners and stakeholders. To participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
• Have a vital role in establishing and communicating key messages to safeguard the University Health Board reputation, limit adverse publicity and promote a positive image to increase public and stakeholder understanding of the University Health Board's objectives and services.
• Support any change programmes to existing University Health Board service provision, and any supporting public consultation.
• Introduce, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the University Health Board external profile amongst media and key stakeholders, and making improvements where appropriate.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

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.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent Postgraduate diploma in communication studies, public relations, marketing or journalism.

Experience

• Experience and evidence of working in partnership with NHS organisations, broader public services and the third sector at all levels. Practical experience of crisis response communications, and managing internal and external relationships in the event of outbreaks and incidents.

Knowledge

• Exceptional media handling skills with the local, national and specialist media. Communicate effectively including excellent spoken and written skills.

Skills and Attributes

• Able to apply creativity and innovation to develop their approach to new and traditional media, based on new concepts, insights or analysis. A wide variety of skills that leverage traditional, digital and social media to inform, instruct and improve.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.