At Derian House, we are proud to provide high-quality care to help babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, from across the Northwest, to make the most of every precious moment. We also stand alongside their families, offering comfort, support, and hope.  

Derian House is the place where you can make a real difference, as we support our colleagues and volunteers to provide this amazing service for children and families.  It's a great place to enhance and develop your career as we are committed to investing in training to support our people and their aspirations.

Help us tell stories that change lives

Every day, our children's hospice provides expert care, support, and moments of joy for babies, children, young people, and their families facing life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Behind every family we support is a story of courage, love, and resilience.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Communications and Marketing to lead our communications, marketing, brand, and digital engagement strategy, helping us increase awareness, deepen supporter engagement, and strengthen our impact across the communities we serve.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and strategic communications leader who is passionate about using the power of storytelling to inspire action, build trust, and support a vital charitable mission.

What you’ll be doing

As a senior leader, you will develop and deliver an integrated communications and marketing strategy that enhances our reputation, supports income generation, and positions the hospice as a leading voice in children's palliative care.

You will lead and develop a talented team responsible for media relations, digital marketing, social media, content creation, internal communications, campaigns, and brand management.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering compelling communications and marketing strategy aligned to organisational goals.
• Leading the hospice's brand, reputation, and public profile.
• Driving audience growth and engagement across digital and traditional channels.
• Supporting fundraising, retail, and service teams through impactful marketing campaigns.
• Building strong relationships with media, partners, ambassadors, and stakeholders.
• Leading crisis communications where required.
• Using data, insight, and evaluation to maximise performance and impact.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven leader who can combine creativity with commercial awareness.

You will have:

• Significant experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or brand leadership.
• A proven track record of developing successful integrated communications strategies.
• Exceptional storytelling, content, and media engagement skills.
• Experience leading digital communications and audience engagement.
• Leadership and people management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to work with sensitivity and professionalism when communicating complex or emotional stories.
• A genuine commitment to improving the lives of children and families facing extraordinary challenges.

Why join us?

At Derian House, you’ll be part of a passionate and supportive team where your work has real purpose.  The Communications and marketing strategy will help us reach more families, raise vital funds, and make a meaningful impact.  

Benefits:

• We offer 33 days holidays per year, (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service
• The option to join the Derian House Contributory Pension Scheme
• Retail discounts through Blue Light card and Benefits platform
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised meals in our diner
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Flexible working opportunities
• Professional development opportunities.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time), although we will consider 30 hours per week over 4 days

Location: Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chancery Road, Chorley, PR7 1DH.

 If you are an experienced communications and marketing leader looking for a role with purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please send us:

• Your up-to-date CV
• A supporting document highlighting 3 key deliverables you've achieved in the last 2 years, which make you the perfect candidate for this role - this can be in any format you choose. 

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Caroline Taylor, Deputy CEO and Director of Income & Engagement (caroline.taylor@derianhouse.co.uk) 

Closing Date: Friday, 24th July 2026, but don’t delay with submitting your application, we reserve the right to close this advert once we have received enough fantastic applications.

 Selection and Assessment process:  Depending on the volume of applications there may be an initial preliminary 20-minute discussion, held virtually (MS Teams), to help sift candidates we wish to progress.  The formal process for those invited, will be an onsite face to face assessment and interview.  We anticipate the processes will take place from mid-July.

Together, we can help every family make the most of every moment.

Registered Charity Number 1005165

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, irrespective of any protected characteristic.

Successful appointments will be subject to a standard disclosure and barring check.