• Job Description

  Req#: C9298-MDI-0150?language=en&page=1063&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are looking for an International Communications Lead to join the NIHR Global Health team.

  NIHR is the health and social care research arm of the nation. Funded by the public, for the public, we target cutting edge research where it can make the biggest difference to peoples health and happiness. On any day, our research could discover a new vaccine that saves thousands of lives, and brings billions into our economy. It could make a revolutionary new treatment available and affordable for everyone. Or help people get their independence back. Together, we drive life-changing research for the health and wealth of the nation.

  We'd love you to be part of the next chapter of our story. We are searching for a first-class communications expert to lead the development of an NIHR International Communications Plan.

  The NIHR Academy Executive (where this role sits) have adopted a hybrid working model whereby staff are able to split their working time between home and an NIHR office.

  We encourage individuals who are considering applying to contact the office and have a conversation with the hiring manager.

  Expected Shortlisting Date

  11/08/2025

  Planned Interview Date

  20/08/2025

  ****please skip the below criteria, added in error****

  URL Link Essential

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

  Desirable

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm

  Main duties of the job

  Working closely with DHSC and across the NIHR, you'll lead on the creating clear and engaging communications to showcase our international remit and demonstrate its impact - from press releases, to content for web, social media, newsletters and other channels, to reach a diverse range of audiences. You'll lead and coordinate a small international communications delivery team, responsible for delivering an impactful international communications work plan.

  About us

  The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research facilities and a skilled research workforce.

  This role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

  Details

  Date posted

  10 July 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 8a

  Salary

  £55,690 to £62,682 a year

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Flexible working

  Reference number

  C9298-MDI-0150

  Job locations

  NIHR Academy Executive

  21 Queen Street

  Leeds

  LS1 2TW

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Strategy, planning and coordination:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of long-term international communication strategies across the organisation, in collaboration with DHSC.
  • Lead and coordinate a cross-NIHR working group responsible for delivering an impactful international communications workplan.
  • Lead on horizon scanning and identifying NIHR international communications opportunities, such as events and conferences
  • Develop policies and procedures for NIHR International communications activities, and ensure relevant activities are embedded within wider policies and procedures across the organisation
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities across NIHRs international portfolio, interpreting and summarising complex communications data
  • Serve on the NIHR Communications Programme Board (CPB) and work with members across organisations to integrate international health research activity into relevant work streams.

  Global Health Communications:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead, oversee and manage the promotion of global health funding and career opportunities and communicate the value and impact of the global health programme
  • Ensure that global health content for web, social media, newsletters and other channels is clear and engaging for both UK and LMIC audiences
  • Develop strategies to expand the reach of NIHR communications, with a focus on LMIC institutions and researchers,
  • Develop and provide advice on communications strategies to reach researchers globally

  International Partnerships Communications:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the effective communication and dissemination of international research partnerships opportunities across various channels, working in close partnership with international partners communication teams.
  • Ensure the International partnership portfolio is effectively represented on the NIHR website
  • Act as a single point of contact for DHSC international policy leads for international communications issues, liaising with NIHR Communications teams.
  • Lead on drafting news articles for the NIHR website on international partnership opportunities, working closely with the DHSC policy team, domestic communication and programme managers.

  Stakeholder Engagement:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the development and refinement of an international stakeholder engagement strategy, in collaboration and consultation with DHSC
  • Identify and prioritise International research stakeholders
  • Identify strategic stakeholder engagement opportunities to increase the reach and impact of NIHR funding across the organisation

  Working relationships and wider engagement:

  The post holder will:

  • Develop team objectives and ways of working across the NIHR cross-centre international communications group
  • Develop and oversee team KPIs and objectives
  • Lead and manage a team of cross-NIHR communications specialists, through a matrix management approach
  • Ensure the implementation of communications activities according to standard operating procedures
  • Lead the adoption of processes by providing training and coaching to the international communications group
  • Lead the development of reports and papers for strategic and policy meetings and publications, ensuring highly complex information is accessible
  • Oversee international communications budgets, in collaboration with the NIHR Director of Communications

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Strategy, planning and coordination:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the development and implementation of long-term international communication strategies across the organisation, in collaboration with DHSC.
  • Lead and coordinate a cross-NIHR working group responsible for delivering an impactful international communications workplan.
  • Lead on horizon scanning and identifying NIHR international communications opportunities, such as events and conferences
  • Develop policies and procedures for NIHR International communications activities, and ensure relevant activities are embedded within wider policies and procedures across the organisation
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities across NIHRs international portfolio, interpreting and summarising complex communications data
  • Serve on the NIHR Communications Programme Board (CPB) and work with members across organisations to integrate international health research activity into relevant work streams.

  Global Health Communications:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead, oversee and manage the promotion of global health funding and career opportunities and communicate the value and impact of the global health programme
  • Ensure that global health content for web, social media, newsletters and other channels is clear and engaging for both UK and LMIC audiences
  • Develop strategies to expand the reach of NIHR communications, with a focus on LMIC institutions and researchers,
  • Develop and provide advice on communications strategies to reach researchers globally

  International Partnerships Communications:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the effective communication and dissemination of international research partnerships opportunities across various channels, working in close partnership with international partners communication teams.
  • Ensure the International partnership portfolio is effectively represented on the NIHR website
  • Act as a single point of contact for DHSC international policy leads for international communications issues, liaising with NIHR Communications teams.
  • Lead on drafting news articles for the NIHR website on international partnership opportunities, working closely with the DHSC policy team, domestic communication and programme managers.

  Stakeholder Engagement:

  The post holder will:

  • Lead the development and refinement of an international stakeholder engagement strategy, in collaboration and consultation with DHSC
  • Identify and prioritise International research stakeholders
  • Identify strategic stakeholder engagement opportunities to increase the reach and impact of NIHR funding across the organisation

  Working relationships and wider engagement:

  The post holder will:

  • Develop team objectives and ways of working across the NIHR cross-centre international communications group
  • Develop and oversee team KPIs and objectives
  • Lead and manage a team of cross-NIHR communications specialists, through a matrix management approach
  • Ensure the implementation of communications activities according to standard operating procedures
  • Lead the adoption of processes by providing training and coaching to the international communications group
  • Lead the development of reports and papers for strategic and policy meetings and publications, ensuring highly complex information is accessible
  • Oversee international communications budgets, in collaboration with the NIHR Director of Communications

  Person Specification

  Skills and Knowledge

  Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience engaging audiences through digital platforms including social and web
  • Excellent people skills and the ability to exercise influence without authority
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Excellent relationship skills, include the ability to develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders
  • Leading by example
  • Effective and inclusive leadership
  • Thinking strategically
  • Giving purpose and direction which includes involving people in deciding what needs to be done
  • Getting the best from others
  • Identifying opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results

  Desirable

  • Familiarity with customer relationship management tools, online engagement platforms and website content management systems

  URL Link

  Essential

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

  Desirable

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm

  Other Criteria

  Essential

  • Competence in Google and Microsoft Office applications or equivalent software
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and to travel internationally

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • First degree (undergraduate)
  • Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, or equivalent experience

  Experience

  Essential

  • Specialist senior communications knowledge and experience, including experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies
  • Experience of leading, developing and embedding stakeholder management processes
  • Experience leading and managing individuals and teams
  • Experience of managing budgets
  • Experience of analysing and interpreting communications data, with the ability to make highly complex information engaging and accessible
  • Experience of leading, developing and implementing communications policies and procedures across organisations

  Desirable

  • Experience in international development or global health
  • Experience of building relationships with stakeholders in low and middle income countries (LMICs)
  • Experience of working within health research funding environments
  • An understanding of health research

  Person Specification

  Skills and Knowledge

  Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills and experience engaging audiences through digital platforms including social and web
  • Excellent people skills and the ability to exercise influence without authority
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Excellent relationship skills, include the ability to develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders
  • Leading by example
  • Effective and inclusive leadership
  • Thinking strategically
  • Giving purpose and direction which includes involving people in deciding what needs to be done
  • Getting the best from others
  • Identifying opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results

  Desirable

  • Familiarity with customer relationship management tools, online engagement platforms and website content management systems

  URL Link

  Essential

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/

  Desirable

  • https://www.nihr.ac.uk/jobs/working-at-the-nihr.htm

  Other Criteria

  Essential

  • Competence in Google and Microsoft Office applications or equivalent software
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings and to travel internationally

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • First degree (undergraduate)
  • Higher degree or postgraduate qualification in communications, or equivalent experience

  Experience

  Essential

  • Specialist senior communications knowledge and experience, including experience of developing and delivering complex communications strategies
  • Experience of leading, developing and embedding stakeholder management processes
  • Experience leading and managing individuals and teams
  • Experience of managing budgets
  • Experience of analysing and interpreting communications data, with the ability to make highly complex information engaging and accessible
  • Experience of leading, developing and implementing communications policies and procedures across organisations

  Desirable

  • Experience in international development or global health
  • Experience of building relationships with stakeholders in low and middle income countries (LMICs)
  • Experience of working within health research funding environments
  • An understanding of health research

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals

  Address

  NIHR Academy Executive

  21 Queen Street

  Leeds

  LS1 2TW

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals

  Address

  NIHR Academy Executive

  21 Queen Street

  Leeds

  LS1 2TW

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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