Communications Manager (Sponsorship Available) At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Employer: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Communications Manager
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Job Type: Full-time
Closing Date: 20 September 2026

Job Summary

The Communications Manager is a key member of the Health Innovation Manchester (HInM) communications team, with responsibility in the PR, media and communications function of the organisation.

The successful candidate will work with HInM’s partners across the Greater Manchester system and nationally to promote the difference health research and innovation makes to people’s lives and position Greater Manchester at the leading edge of health innovation and life sciences.

This role is for a 12 month maternity cover contract.

Main Duties of the Job

Working closely with the Head of Communications, the Communications Manager will be integral in providing expert communications advice and support, with a supportive role in developing and delivering key strategies to maximise PR and media opportunities, deliver high-profile GM-wide campaigns, drive impactful social media content, and evaluate the impact of communications activity in achieving HInM’s vision and business objectives.

About Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and the Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – what better place to shape and develop your leadership career.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust delivers care to over 1 million patients & users each year through 10 hospitals and extensive community services.

The 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to the success and innovation of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal part in supporting operational excellence and strategic ambitions. The role will involve working collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. The role provides access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role staff play in the organisation’s success.

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and help shape the future of the Trust–make a real difference to teams, services, communities, and fundamentally, patients.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help candidates feel confident, prepared and fully informed before applying, candidates are invited to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place.

This welcoming onestop hub gives candidates a real sense of who Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is, what the Trust stands for, how the Trust rewards and supports staff, and the many ways the Trust cares for staff as they care for others.

Candidates will also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information needed before applying.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, candidates can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing Vacancy Listings Early

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

To help Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, adverts may close early if a high level of interest is received. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across the workforce, ensuring staff are truly representative of the communities served.

All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.

As an inclusive employer, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is here to support applicants. If an applicant has any special requirements to help with the application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Your Application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the Trust is proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for patients, communities, and each other.

As part of the commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust asks all applicants to ensure that job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations.

While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust expects that the content of applications, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions, is written by the applicant.

This helps Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust get to know the real applicant and ensures that the recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust uphold the values that make the Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust looks forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

As part of the commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

This is a standard process across the NHS and helps Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check.

The job advert and recruitment team will let candidates know if this applies to the role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy.

This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if a candidate is successful and joins Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, will be deducted from the salary within the first three months of employment.

If, however, a candidate withdraws from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, the candidate will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued.

This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a similar communications role in industry, health or the wider public sector.
• Strong track record in delivering communications campaigns with the results to back up the activity.

Education

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a related field and ideally a relevant postgraduate qualification e.g. CIM or other or equivalent experience.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of how the NHS works in Greater Manchester and how digital and innovation in health are key to its future success.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this role, visit the company’s official website for more information — click here to submit your application.