Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Lead (NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium)

University of Birmingham - College of Medicine and Health

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £36,636 to £46,049 Grade 7

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 18th September 2025

Closes: 13th October 2025

Job Ref: 106343

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to July 2030

Role summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive individual to support the delivery of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maternity Disparities Consortium (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/nihr-challenge-maternity-disparities-consortium), a £50million national programme focused on finding new ways to tackle inequalities before, during and after pregnancy.

The post holder will be responsible for writing and delivering a communications and engagement strategy for the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium, to enhance its identity and profile to internal, partner and external stakeholders. The post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues across both the College of Medicine and Health and the Communications and Reputation team in External Relations at University of Birmingham, along with the co-lead at Newcastle University and the wider consortium partners, to deliver a flexible and innovative approach across the broad spectrum of internal and external communications and marketing. They will also support regional activity in this area.

Main duties

• Develop a communications and engagement strategy and take ownership of its effective implementation through tactical plans that deliver against key objectives to raise the profile of the research activity within the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium both internally and externally. This strategy will need to be developed with multiple stakeholders.
• Ensure delivery against objectives and KPTs with effective monitoring and evaluation.
• Allocate time and resources appropriately and effectively manage an agreed budget.
• Work closely with the stakeholders from across the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium, particularly the co-Lead institution Newcastle University, to identify strategic priorities, respond to changes in the external and internal environment as required and identify opportunities.
• This person will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium website and social channels, along with all improvements and enhancements, liaising with key stakeholders including staff, public contributors, industry partners and the funders at NIHR.

Person Specification

• Degree-level education or equivalent work experience
• Experience of devising, and delivering, multi-channel strategic communications plans
• Demonstrable experience of engaging government, NHS and charitable partners as well as interest in and knowledge of the current political landscape
• Event management experience, involving internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of translating complex information into accessible communications through multiple channels
• Demonstrable understanding of the complexities and competing factors related to the research environment and higher education

Informal enquiries to Laura Forty, email: l.c.forty@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working