Head of External Affairs | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	08 June 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£66,582 - £77,368 per annum
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	08 July 2026
Location:	Liverpool, L3 5TF
Company:	Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7948998/287-LHP-2-26

Summary

Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City Region, bringing together NHS, academic, industry and civic partners to deliver research, innovation and improved health outcomes.

We are seeking a senior and experienced individual to lead our external affairs function. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Executive Group, you will shape and deliver a clear, coherent approach to external engagement across regional, national and international stakeholders.

This is a strategic role focused on system positioning, stakeholder engagement and partnership development. You will build senior relationships across NHS, academia, government and industry, supporting LHP to operate as a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.

You will have significant experience within the health and life sciences sector, strong political awareness and the ability to operate credibly at senior level. Experience of working with major industry partners and an understanding of research and innovation, including clinical trials, is essential

Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City region, convening NHS, academic, civic and industry partners to deliver health, economic and societal benefit.

The Head of External Affairs is a leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering LHP's external relations strategy across regional, national and international stakeholders. The post holder will work closely with the Managing Director and Executive Group to position LHP as a coherent system level partnership and a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.

The role operates at a strategic level, focusing on stakeholder alignment, system positioning and partnership development. It requires strong judgement, political awareness and the ability to operate across organisational boundaries to support collective influence, reputation and impact.

This role is focused on strategic external engagement, system narrative and partnership architecture.

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) was formed on 1 November 2024, born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our communities.

We are one of the largest employers in region, with over 18,900 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services that extend to more than two million people in the North West.

We operate from five hospital sites: Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to several elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology and respiratory medicine, both in the hospital and out in the community. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single en-suite bedrooms and mainly focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

Develop and lead a coherent external affairs strategy aligned to LHP's system ambitions and priorities.

Support the Managing Director and Executive Group in positioning LHP as the recognised convenor for health and life sciences across the city region.

Shape and articulate a clear, consistent system narrative across partners, ensuring alignment in external messaging and positioning.

To lead the development and implementation of LHP's communications plan and activities for managing the relationship with local leaders in the system (politicians, academic leaders, NHS leaders etc).

Build and maintain senior relationships across NHS, academia, local government, industry and national bodies.

Act as a key interface between LHP and external stakeholders, ensuring coordinated and strategic engagement.

Lead the development of strategic approaches to influencing regional and national policy, investment and partnership opportunities.

Coordinate LHP's role in major system opportunities including national initiatives, industry partnerships and regional growth agendas.

Provide senior support to the Managing Director and Executive Group on external affairs, stakeholder strategy and engagement planning.

Contribute to briefings, positioning papers and strategic communications for senior leaders

Ensure effective coordination of external engagement activity across the partnership

For full information, please refer to the attached job description




This advert closes on Sunday 21 Jun 2026