Head of External Affairs
Job Description
Job summary
Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City Region, bringing together NHS, academic, industry and civic partners to deliver research, innovation and improved health outcomes.
We are seeking a senior and experienced individual to lead our external affairs function. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Executive Group, you will shape and deliver a clear, coherent approach to external engagement across regional, national and international stakeholders.
This is a strategic role focused on system positioning, stakeholder engagement and partnership development. You will build senior relationships across NHS, academia, government and industry, supporting LHP to operate as a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.
You will have significant experience within the health and life sciences sector, strong political awareness and the ability to operate credibly at senior level. Experience of working with major industry partners and an understanding of research and innovation, including clinical trials, is essential
Main duties of the job
Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City region, convening NHS, academic, civic and industry partners to deliver health, economic and societal benefit.
The Head of External Affairs is a leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering LHP's external relations strategy across regional, national and international stakeholders. The post holder will work closely with the Managing Director and Executive Group to position LHP as a coherent system level partnership and a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.
The role operates at a strategic level, focusing on stakeholder alignment, system positioning and partnership development. It requires strong judgement, political awareness and the ability to operate across organisational boundaries to support collective influence, reputation and impact.
This role is focused on strategic external engagement, system narrative and partnership architecture.
About us
NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL Group) was formed on 1 November 2024, born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our communities.
We are one of the largest employers in region, with over 18,900 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services that extend to more than two million people in the North West.
We operate from five hospital sites:Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to several elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospitalprovide specialist services incardiothoracic surgery,cardiology and respiratory medicine, both in the hospital and out in the community.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single en-suite bedrooms and mainly focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
Job responsibilities
Develop and lead a coherent external affairs strategy aligned to LHP's system ambitions and priorities.
Support the Managing Director and Executive Group in positioning LHP as the recognised convenor for health and life sciences across the city region.
Shape and articulate a clear, consistent system narrative across partners, ensuring alignment in external messaging and positioning.
To lead the development and implementation of LHP's communications plan and activities for managing the relationship with local leaders in the system (politicians, academic leaders, NHS leaders etc).
Build and maintain senior relationships across NHS, academia, local government, industry and national bodies.
Act as a key interface between LHP and external stakeholders, ensuring coordinated and strategic engagement.
Lead the development of strategic approaches to influencing regional and national policy, investment and partnership opportunities.
Coordinate LHP's role in major system opportunities including national initiatives, industry partnerships and regional growth agendas.
Provide senior support to the Managing Director and Executive Group on external affairs, stakeholder strategy and engagement planning.
Contribute to briefings, positioning papers and strategic communications for senior leaders
Ensure effective coordination of external engagement activity across the partnership
For full information, please refer to the attached job description
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent and subsequent experience in a related field
- Masters degree/postgraduate qualification in a related field
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in external affairs, stakeholder engagement or strategic partnerships within health, life sciences, public sector or related environments
- Experience of working at a senior level within complex multi partner systems
- Experience engaging with senior stakeholders across NHS, academia, government and industry
- Experience supporting organisational or system level positioning, influence or reputation
- Experience working across the research, innovation and translation pipeline
Desirable
- Experience within the UK health and life sciences ecosystem, including clinical trials and commercial research
- Experience engaging with major industry partners including large pharmaceutical organisations and SMEs
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- High levels of political awareness, judgement and credibility
- Ability to operate effectively at a senior level with confidence and authority
- Excellent relationship building and influencing skills across complex stakeholder groups
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into coordinated action
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of senior briefings
- Ability to convene, align and facilitate across organisational boundaries
Desirable
- Facilitation and negotiation skills
- Ability to manage ambiguity and shape emerging opportunities
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Liverpool Health Partners
71 Green Lane North
Liverpool
L3 5TF
United Kingdom
