Deputy Communications & Engagement Manager
Health & Independent Living Support (HILS)
HILS is a charitable social enterprise established in 2007. HILS employs around 400 people and supports approximately 18,000 older and disabled people each year across Hertfordshire, Hampshire, and West Sussex. HILS delivers preventative, community-based services that enable people to remain healthy, independent, and living well in their own homes.
Over the period 2026–2031, HILS is pursuing responsible growth to increase social impact and long-term sustainability, whilst maintaining agility in an uncertain political and economic environment. The Deputy Communications and Engagement Manager plays an important role in supporting this ambition by increasing awareness of HILS' services, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and referrers, supporting service development and growth initiatives, and ensuring HILS maintains a strong, consistent, and effective presence across the communities it serves.
Role summary
The Deputy Communications and Engagement Manager is an important role within HILS' Communications and Engagement Team. The postholder plays a leading role in delivering communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, and brand awareness activities across West Sussex, whilst supporting activity in Hampshire and other HILS geographies where required. The role plays a key part in increasing awareness of HILS' services, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and referrers, and supporting the delivery of the organisation’s growth and development ambitions.
Reporting to the Communications and Engagement Manager, the postholder acts as a deputy for the function when required and provides line management support to members of the Communications and Marketing Team. They are responsible for developing and delivering communications campaigns, representing HILS at community events and stakeholder meetings, supporting fundraising and engagement initiatives, and helping to ensure a consistent and effective organisational presence across digital, print, and face-to-face channels.
The role requires a proactive and creative communications professional who can build strong relationships, identify opportunities to increase engagement and referrals, and use insight and data to continually improve communications activity and organisational impact.
Role outcomes and values
Every role and individual in HILS has a vital contribution to making a meaningful difference to older and vulnerable people. The Deputy Communications & Engagement Manager is expected to embody HILS’ values and ensure that communications activity, engagement initiatives, operational decisions, and leadership behaviours reinforce them consistently, supporting effective service promotion, strong stakeholder relationships, and organisational growth.
Outcomes
· Increase awareness of HILS services across West Sussex and wider southern geographies.
· Increase referrals, engagement opportunities and community partnerships.
· Ensure HILS communications are effective, consistent and aligned with organisational objectives.
· Support the successful growth and development of services through stakeholder engagement and marketing activity.
· Maintain a strong and positive HILS brand presence across communities and digital channels.
Values
· We are caring and compassionate
· We act with integrity
· We go above and beyond
Responsibilities
Leadership and Service Development
· Deputise for the Communications and Engagement Manager where required.
· Support development and delivery of communications plans and campaigns.
· Coordinate communications projects and campaigns.
· Support engagement and communications activity relating to new services and organisational growth.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
· Support the development and maintenance of relationships with councils, commissioners, and partner organisations.
· Represent HILS at meetings and networking events.
· Deliver talks and presentations.
· Identify opportunities to strengthen community presence and referral pathways.
Campaigns and Brand Awareness
· Coordinate and deliver local communications campaigns.
· Promote HILS services through community engagement.
· Coordinate awareness and fundraising campaigns.
· Evaluate campaign effectiveness and impact.
Digital Communications and Content Creation
· Support website content and development.
· Create and coordinate social media content.
· Gather case studies and success stories.
· Coordinate media activity, VIP visits, filming and photography.
Events and Community Engagement
· Organise and attend events.
· Coordinate conferences, talks and tasting sessions.
· Represent HILS at community activities across West Sussex and Hampshire.
Marketing Materials and Literature
· Manage literature stock and distribution.
· Review and update marketing materials.
· Identify requirements for new resources.
People Management
· Line management of Communications and Marketing Officer (Hampshire).
· Line management of work placement student/intern when one is in post.
· Conduct supervision and performance management.
· Support development and training.
Other Responsibilities
· Act as a first point of contact for communications and marketing matters in the absence of the Communications and Engagement Manager.
· Support the Communications and Engagement Manager and wider Leadership Team with ad hoc communications, engagement, and organisational projects as required.
· Use data, insight, and performance information to identify opportunities for improvement and support evidence-based decision making.
· Ensure excellent standards of customer care and service are maintained when dealing with clients, colleagues, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
· Comply with all relevant legislation, organisational policies, and procedures, including data protection, safeguarding, confidentiality, and health and safety requirements
· Promote and uphold HILS' values and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
· Undertake other duties appropriate to the role, as reasonably required by the Communications and Engagement Manager.
Location, expectations, and commitments
· Permanent, full-time role
· Location – Based at the HILS Ford site (BN18 0HY), this is primarily a West Sussex-based role, involving regular travel across the county and attendance at community events. Occasional travel to Hampshire will be required to provide cover for events and meetings when the Communications team member based there is unavailable. Occasional travel to Hertfordshire for team meetings and events will also be required.
· Salary – £30,000 - £32,000 (FTE)
· Hours – 37.5 hours per week
· Non-contractual hybrid working may be available on request
Additional requirements:
- Overtime – reasonable unpaid additional hours may be needed for completion of the role
· Weekend/evening working – may be required according to business needs
· Reports to Communications and Engagement Manager
· Line management responsibility for Communications and Marketing Officer (Hampshire) and work placement student/intern when one is in post.
Candidate requirements
Essential
· Experience of communications, marketing or engagement activity.
· Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
· Experience of planning and delivering campaigns.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Experience of public speaking and presentations.
· Experience of creating digital and printed content.
· Ability to analyse data and use insights to inform decision making.
· Leadership and line management experience or demonstrable ability to supervise others.
· Excellent organisational skills.
· Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
· Ability to travel independently across HILS geographies.
Desirable
· Communications or marketing qualification.
· Experience within health, social care or the voluntary sector.
· Experience of fundraising activity.
· Experience managing websites and digital platforms.
· Experience using Canva, MailerLite, Text Marketer and Adobe products.
Benefits working with HILS
- Inclusive and supportive culture
- Career development opportunities - we offer trainings, development opportunities, and graduate programmes with exposure to senior leadership and operational experience.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion focus - Our employees feel supported, valued and respected
- Eligible to apply for Blue Light Card
- Work vehicle and uniform (depending on the position)
- Pension Scheme
- Helping the community and the chance to lead a service that makes a difference to thousands of people every year.
Important note:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The Deputy Communications & Engagement Manager may be required to undertake additional responsibilities appropriate to the role, as agreed with the Communications & Engagement Manager.
Equal Opportunities Statement:
We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of their gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age (protected characteristics). The principle of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity applies equally to the treatment of former staff, visitors, clients, customers, and suppliers by members of our current workforce.
If you would like to hear more details about the job position, please contact us on 01462600480 or email us on [email protected]
Pay: £30,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
