Communications and Engagement Manager | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 22 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £47,810 - £54,710 Per annum, pro rata |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 21 January 2026 |
| Location: | Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD |
| Company: | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7697562/430-CORP25-298A |
Summary
Communications and Engagement Manager
Department – Corporate Affairs
Band B7
Hours: 26.25, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Role Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, passionate, and enthusiastic communications professional to join our well-established team. The postholder will:
• Serve as operational lead for the trust’s communications and engagement.
• Advise and influence senior figures in the Trust to encourage best practice.
• Build effective relationships internally and externally to promote the work of the hospital.
• Manage proactive and reactive media relations, staff and stakeholder engagement, and campaign delivery.
• Oversee communications channels and manage junior team members.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and implement communications and engagement strategies aligned with Trust objectives.
• Deliver high-quality, insight-led communications that are measurable and impactful.
• Manage media enquiries, crisis communications, and reputation management.
• Plan and execute campaigns, events, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with NHS branding and accessibility standards.
Essential Skills & Experience
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in communications, PR, or related field.
• Proven track record in managing complex communications projects
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Interview date: Week commencing 12 January 2026.
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
“- NHS Survey, 2024''They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%
This is an opportunity for a talented, passionate and experienced communications professional to; lead communications and engagement work; advise and influence senior figures in the Trust to encourage best practice in communications and engagement; and build effective relationships both internally and externally to promote the work of the hospital and engage the workforce.
Why Join Us?
You’ll be part of a supportive, friendly, and experienced team with opportunities to grow personally and professionally. We value creativity, collaboration, and innovation in everything we do.
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Communications and Engagement
• Develop and design integrated communications plans to assist with delivery of Trust campaigns
• Present communications on complex issues Trust-wide
• Ensure all communications are aligned to the Trust’s communications strategy and its objectives
• Ensure effective timetabling of change communications for maximum impact and avoidance of confusion and duplication.
• Curate digital content, including updating the website using a WordPress Content Management System (CMS)
• Use a range of software for research, analysis, creation of reports, publications, presentations, online communications, social media, offline channels etc.
Public relations/Social Media
• Liaise with press and media, including developing media releases, hosting media briefings, and deciding how to respond to media issues on sensitive or complex issues
• Facilitate media and VIP activity on site
• Identify positive stories about the Trust and sell-in to the media/share on social media
• Proactively build relationships with journalists locally and regionally.
Stakeholder management
• Build relationships with key stakeholders and partners across the region
• Share good news stories, best practice and encourage skill development
• Position the Trust as a leader in healthcare communications locally.
Branding
• Oversee all briefings to in-house creative resource, ensuring requests are managed appropriately and prioritised based on organisational need
• Ensure all materials published are in-line with corporate Trust brand guidelines
• Reguarly review Trust brand guidelines to ensure they are relevant and meet the organisation’s requirements
• Work with external suppliers to commission and deliver campaign designs and materials where appropriate.
Planning, organisational and leadership skills
• Responsible for developing and implementing project plans in line with the strategic direction, and making recommendations for changes which may improve programme outcomes
• Prioritise workload and manage frequently changing priorities
• Co-ordinate the input of a variety of partners
• Mentor members of the team to support their personal and professional development
• Hold a delegated budget for communication projects and events as required.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
This advert closes on Monday 5 Jan 2026