Designer – Kent Community 8Health NHS Foundation Trust
Certificate of Sponsorship Available – UK Skilled Worker Applicants Welcome
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a Designer to join its Communications and Engagement Team.
This is a Band 6, permanent, full-time opportunity for an experienced design professional with strong skills across graphic design, digital communications, multimedia and creative project delivery.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Closing date: 22 September 2026
Job Overview
As a Designer, you will work as a senior design specialist within the Communications and Engagement Team, leading the creation of high-quality visual, digital and multimedia content.
The role supports a wide range of internal and external communications, including:
- Digital communications
- Marketing and campaigns
- Corporate publications
- Websites and intranets
- Social media
- Video and multimedia
- Events
- Patient information
- Organisational communications
You will also work closely with the Head of Digital Communications to support the proposed Kent-wide NHS design programme.
The programme aims to bring together design and communications colleagues from NHS organisations across Kent and Medway to strengthen design capacity, share expertise and improve the quality of communications and engagement activity.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities may include:
- Leading the design and production of corporate publications, reports, presentations, campaign materials and information resources.
- Developing creative concepts and visual identities for campaigns, projects and organisational priorities.
- Producing digital content for websites, intranets, social media, email communications and online platforms.
- Creating and editing video content, animations and other multimedia resources.
- Providing specialist advice on branding, accessibility, user experience and visual communication.
- Supporting photography, filming and live-streaming activities where appropriate.
- Coordinating design projects and requests forming part of the Kent NHS design programme.
- Supporting project pipelines, workload management and capacity planning across the virtual design network.
- Developing collaborative relationships with communications and design colleagues across NHS organisations in Kent.
- Managing relationships with external suppliers, printers, agencies and production partners.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of design and campaign activity.
- Identifying opportunities to improve creative and communications outputs.
- Maintaining and promoting NHS and organisational brand standards across communications materials.
- Managing multiple design and creative projects simultaneously while working to agreed standards, deadlines and priorities.
- Advising communications colleagues, service leads and system partners on creative concepts and design approaches.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have:
- A degree-level qualification in graphic design, digital design, visual communications or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
- Substantial experience delivering complex creative and design projects.
- Experience working across print, digital, social media and multimedia channels.
- Experience using industry-standard design software, including Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Substantial experience managing complex projects and work programmes involving multiple teams or organisations.
- Experience balancing competing priorities and stakeholder requirements.
- Experience providing specialist design advice to senior colleagues and partners.
- A portfolio demonstrating a range of recent design work.
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- NHS communications experience.
- Public sector communications experience.
- Recognised project management training or qualifications.
Portfolio Requirement
Applicants are specifically asked to provide a portfolio of recent work demonstrating a range of design techniques.
A URL link to your portfolio is preferred.
Make sure your portfolio clearly demonstrates relevant experience across areas such as:
- Graphic design
- Digital design
- Campaign materials
- Social media content
- Publications
- Multimedia
- Video or animation
- Visual identity
- Accessible communications
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 per year, pro rata
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 6
Contract and Working Pattern
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Location
Home-based
Postcode: TN25 4AZ
Country: United Kingdom
Visa Sponsorship – Skilled Worker
Certificate of Sponsorship information:
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
This means candidates who currently require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may apply.
However, applicants should independently confirm that they meet the relevant UK immigration and role-specific requirements before applying.
For official UK immigration information, applicants should consult the UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
Overseas Applicants
Applicants requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome to apply.
Candidates applying from outside the UK should ensure that they meet all applicable immigration, professional and recruitment requirements.
Applicants who have lived overseas may also be required to provide criminal record certificates in accordance with UK immigration requirements.
For Skilled Worker applicants applying for entry clearance, criminal record documentation may be required from countries where the applicant has lived continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more during the previous 10 years.
Adult dependants aged 18 or over may also be subject to relevant requirements.
About Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust delivers community healthcare services designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.
The Trust is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is looking for people who share its values:
- Compassionate
- Aspirational
- Responsive
- Excellent
The organisation describes itself as an inclusive and welcoming employer and encourages applications from people from all backgrounds.
Trust Integration Update
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is due to integrate with Medway Community Healthcare on 1 October 2026.
Following the integration, and as community services are aligned with the new Neighbourhood Model of care delivery, there will be a period of consultation.
Depending on the area and role, potential changes could affect:
- Role responsibilities
- Work base
- Reporting arrangements
- Services or teams
- Terms and conditions of employment
Any changes will be subject to consultation and managed in accordance with relevant employment processes.
Applicants with concerns about the proposed changes are encouraged to contact the recruiting manager.
Driving Requirements
Some community-based Trust roles require employees to drive as part of their duties.
Where driving is a requirement, applicants may need to confirm that they hold:
- A full UK driving licence, or
- A full driving licence issued by an EU country that has not been exchanged from a non-EU licence.
If you are unable to drive because of a disability, the Trust encourages you to contact the Recruitment Team for support.
When contacting the Recruitment Team, quote vacancy reference:
846-8284604-UJ
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
A Disclosure and Barring Service check will therefore be required to assess any previous criminal convictions where applicable.
Application Process
Candidates should carefully review the job description and person specification before submitting an application.
Your application should clearly demonstrate how your qualifications, experience and skills meet the essential criteria.
In particular, applicants should provide evidence of:
- Complex design project delivery
- Digital and print design experience
- Multimedia experience
- Adobe Creative Cloud proficiency
- Project and workload management
- Stakeholder management
- Specialist design advice
- Portfolio of recent design work
The Trust receives significant numbers of applications for some positions, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
The vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.
Closing Date
22 September 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the final day.
Vacancy Details
Job title: Designer
Employer: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Band: 6
Salary: £39,959–£48,117 per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Location: Home-based, United Kingdom
Postcode: TN25 4AZ
Date posted: 9 September 2026
Reference: 846-8284604-UJ
Closing date: 22 September 2026
Skilled Worker sponsorship: Applications requiring current sponsorship are welcome
Who Should Apply?
This position may be particularly suitable for experienced:
- Graphic Designers
- Digital Designers
- Visual Communications Specialists
- Multimedia Designers
- Creative Designers
- Campaign Designers
- NHS Communications Designers
- Public Sector Designers
- Design Project Leads
Candidates should have a strong portfolio and the ability to manage multiple creative projects while working with different stakeholders.
Important Application Advice
Before applying, make sure your CV and supporting statement clearly match the requirements of the vacancy.
Your portfolio is particularly important for this position. Include your strongest and most relevant examples of design work and, where possible, explain your contribution to each project.
If you require visa sponsorship, make sure you provide accurate information about your current immigration status and sponsorship requirements.
Recruitment Contact
Contact: Jo Treharne
Position: Head of Campaigns and Digital
Email: jo.treharne@nhs.net
Vacancy reference: 846-8284604-UJ
Final Reminder
This is a Band 6 permanent Designer position with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, offering a salary of £39,959–£48,117 per annum pro rata.
Most importantly for international candidates, the advert states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
Closing date: 22 September 2026.
Apply as early as possible because the vacancy may close early if there is significant interest.