Senior Programme Communications Officer (Work Well) - Band 6


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£39,959 to £48,117 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	25 Sept 2026
Closing date:	8 Oct 2026

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Summary

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB oversees the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation. This Senior Communications Officer will lead the delivery of the communications and marketing programme for WorkWell across Essex. Working as part of the NHS Essex Communications and Engagement Team and alongside the WorkWell programme team, the post holder will develop and deliver evidence-based communications and behaviour change campaigns that raise awareness of the programme, encourage referrals and self-referrals, build confidence amongst employers and professionals, and support participation amongst people who could benefit from WorkWell. The role will help deliver a long-term communications and marketing strategy that balances a universal Essex-wide approach with targeted communications and community engagement in areas experiencing the greatest levels of health inequality and economic inactivity, including Tendring, Basildon and Harlow. The post holder will work with colleagues across NHS Essex, local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, voluntary and community organisations, providers and employers to ensure communications are coordinated, accessible, insight-led and evaluated. They will use audience insight, behavioural science principles and campaign evaluation to continuously improve communications and maximise the impact of the WorkWell programme. This supports WorkWell's ambition to provide early intervention, improve health and employment outcomes and reduce health inequalities across Essex. As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support delivery on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan: From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning. From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health. From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below: Policy and service development Support implementation of policy and / or service developments related to Work Well Support team to ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies Use research, innovation and audits to inform service improvements or performance management Strategy and analysis Understanding of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to unemployment. Helps present insights and reports, draw from complex data, that can be used to inform decision making and delivery Use of data and insight to contribute to reporting, including performance management, financial and quality reporting against agreed contractual or project deliverables Understanding of Population Health Management methodologies and tools and how to use them to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services Planning and organisation Support development and delivery of project plans relating to WorkWell, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting Lead coordination of meetings and events to support delivery of project plans Manage competing priorities, prioritising own and team resources to effectively deliver on short, medium and longer term priorities Ensure accurate reporting and records management Support delivery and monitoring of business plan for WorkWell Communications and Partnerships Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership Supports development of high quality written and verbal briefings Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB as needed Supports effective engagement with patients and the public as required Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to help deliver agreed projects / manage directorate Share complex, sensitive and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing Able to manage conflict, find compromise and persuade based on evidence as needed Financial and resource management Supports delivery of budget for WorkWell, including effective budget reporting as required Close working with finance business partner on oversight of project / directorate business and financial plans Supports procurement of relevant services Team management and capability building Supporting directorate oversight of workforce reporting, including reporting on key HR metrics Able to influence in order to deliver effectively through those not directly line managing Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition Supporting effective Information Asset Management for the team Other Use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings Expected to be physically on site, this may be in the ICB officer, or in a partner location as required Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel, Share point ) Flexibility and evolving responsibilities As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organisation, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures. KEY RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with: WorkWell Programme Team Head of Learning and Change, WorkWell Wider Communications and Engagement Team Local Authority communications teams Department for Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus Connect to Work programme Public Health teams Primary Care Networks Community providers Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations Employer representatives Local media Marketing and creative agencies NHS England communications colleagues

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