Head of Communications

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the communications team for an experienced professional to lead the communications function within Hywel Dda University Health Board. The post holder will lead and manage the Health Board's communications service, providing support to external customers such as the media and partners, and staff internally. They will provide leadership and decision making to balance the need for proactive service development and the reactive demand of operational responsibilities.

This is a full time role and is flexible in terms of location (mainly working from home). The post holder is expected travel across the Health Board counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.

Base will be discussed and agreed with successful candidate.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and manage the Health Board's communications service, providing support to external customers such as the media and partners, and staff internally.
• Provide leadership and decision making to balance the need for proactive service development and the reactive demand of operational responsibilities.
• Provide authoritative advice to Board Members, Executive Team and WG on a highly complex, sensitive information and a broad range of communication and engagement issues.
• Design and deliver long-term strategic communication plans, approaches and policies to support the competing complexities and priorities within the UHBs health and care strategy and plans.
• Organise the communication service so it is able to provide full and comprehensive client management for UHB portfolio areas, including a forward look plan, and prioritizing work according to business objectives and the current narrative.
• Advise and deliver communication mechanisms for continuous dialogue with staff and the local population to ensure that the UHB takes full account of internal and external views in its decision-making, providing leadership in the fields of written, digital and media communication.
• Take swift and decisive decisions in relation to leading and responding to highly sensitive and potentially damaging reputational issues as they arise (such as media requests on major issues).

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is essential for this post.

A full job description and person specification can be found in the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to fully supporting its staff to embrace bilingualism and thereby improve the experience of patients and service users. As part of our commitment to increasing the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh to Level 1 is essential for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you achieve these minimum desirable requirements during your employment with us.

If you would like any further information, please contact Alwena Hughes Moakes, Director of Communications and Engagement.

Interviews will be held on 13/10/2025.

Qualifications

• Educated to Master's Level or equivalent level of work experience including practical knowledge and experience of methods and approaches as they relate to public relations, communications and media
• Evidence of higher or further education with the appropriate professional/management qualifications. i.e. CIPR, NEC's CAM, ILM and Media Law Qualifications
• Highly developed in-depth specialist knowledge and experience of communications, engagement and media. The post holder will therefore require expert knowledge of health and/or public practices, as well as a thorough understanding of local and national political networks and infrastructure
• Knowledge and expertise on the various tools and techniques of communications including new media and e-communications
• Certified member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations
• Working knowledge of media management systems
• Detailed knowledge of the legislation governing media, and slander/ libel laws
• Understanding of Welsh legislation and WG delegated powers

Experience

• Evidenced ability to work across professional and organisational boundaries in an atmosphere of change/ complex structures and partnership working
• Experience of project management
• Ability to work to deliver to strict deadlines
• Experience of journalism and responsive media communications in a large public sector organisation
• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
• Welsh Speaker (Level 5)

Other

• Flexible approach to work and needs of the service
• Proactive with an ability to show initiative and generate ideas
• The role will necessitate regular travel across the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and sometimes beyond in a timely manner
• Willingness to work outside of normal working hours when required (evening and weekends).

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.