Head of Communications and External Affairs – Health Innovation South West

We have an extremely exciting opportunity to join Health Innovation South West as Head of Communications and External Affairs. Health Innovation South West covers a population of 2.2 million people living across our integrated health systems of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and is one of 15 Health Innovation Networks set up by the NHS to spread innovation at pace and scale. We work in collaboration with our regional partners to adopt and spread health innovation that transforms lives, improves population health and drives economic growth.

We are seeking an experienced, ambitious and highly motivated individual who will lead a team which spans our regional and national engagement through communications, events, and external affairs. Reporting to one of our Executive Directors, your key role will be to help Health Innovation South West build its reputation, influence and drive change, ensuring we are seen by key stakeholders as the go-to place to support the development and deployment of innovation, particularly for coastal and rural regions. You will lead our external engagement strategy, engaging with regional and national partners, through impact focused influencing campaigns that champion the spread of innovation. Overseeing the communications, facilities and events teams, you will work with other senior leaders to ensure the highest quality communications are used, ensuring that the evolution of our brand, design, tone of voice is distinctive and aligned with the national network of health innovation organisations.

We are looking to speak with candidates who have experience of leading and managing communications in a senior role, supporting teams to market services and generate income, preferably through facilities and/or events. You will be able to digest complex information, producing succinct briefings and executive summaries. The role suits someone who is agile in their approach, able to manage multiple workstreams extremely effectively and prioritise workload. We are seeking someone with a commercial outlook, drive and ambition, a strategic and credible leader who will contribute to the Board and wider team in putting the South West on the map as one of the UK’s leading innovation networks.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. In recruiting to our organisation, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all.

A full job pack can be found here, where details of how to apply can be found.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon 12th May 2025.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview via Teams. Successful second round candidates will be offered the opportunity to join and informal online “Meet the Team” session. Following this, a second final interview will be held for a small number of candidates at Health Innovation South West’s award-winning offices in Exeter.