Internal Communications and Engagement Manager

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If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme. We also offer a number of family-friendly benefits, including work-life balance policies.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

The salary scale above has been agreed as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2024/2025 and will be implemented in November 2024 backdated to 1st April 2024 where applicable.

Job overview

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 18 MONTHS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SECONDMENT POSITION, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR CURRENT LINE MANAGER PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THIS POST.

The post holder will provide operational leadership on internal communications issues and public affairs by managing the day to day Communications and Engagement for specific and highly complex projects within Digital, Data & Technology (DDAT) department. Leading in the development, implementation and evaluation of robust communications and engagement plans to ensure they are tailored to the needs of a range of individuals and are put in place in an effective and timely manner. This will include implementing and evaluating a range of activities and the development of communications materials for a range of Health Board Projects, specifically the ePMA project.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Tailoring communications and engagement approaches, taking a behavioural insights methodology, and be responsible for providing the necessary support to project and programme leads.

Think strategically as well as provide operational communications and engagement support to work programmes and team members.

Provide expert, specialist, creative and innovative advice to the Health Board on its communication and engagement requirements by planning and supporting the delivery of complex communications and engagement activities.

Responsible for writing, proofing, editing and co-ordinating complex material including a range of communications package outputs including leaflets, briefings, evaluation reports, scripts, digital content, activities and events and media releases for a range of stakeholders, including staff at all level across our organisation, patients, communities, political stakeholders and the media.

Have an awareness of various behavioural change approaches and experience of targeted communications, confident media management, political awareness and stakeholder relationship building and management will be vital. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the handling of media enquiries on contentious and sensitive issues.

Provide programme teams and senior leadership team with reputation advice, advice on how to reach a range of groups across our communities, including hard to reach groups.

Working for our organisation

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales . Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and 'Proud to Lead' competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the "Disability Confident Employer" scheme.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Tailoring communications and engagement approaches, taking a behavioural insights methodology, and be responsible for providing the necessary support to project and programme leads.

Think strategically as well as provide operational communications and engagement support to work programmes and team members.

Provide expert, specialist, creative and innovative advice to the Health Board on its communication and engagement requirements by planning and supporting the delivery of complex communications and engagement activities.

Responsible for writing, proofing, editing and co-ordinating complex material including a range of communications package outputs including leaflets, briefings, evaluation reports, scripts, digital content, activities and events and media releases for a range of stakeholders, including staff at all level across our organisation, patients, communities, political stakeholders and the media.

Have an awareness of various behavioural change approaches and experience of targeted communications, confident media management, political awareness and stakeholder relationship building and management will be vital. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the handling of media enquiries on contentious and sensitive issues.

Provide programme teams and senior leadership team with reputation advice, advice on how to reach a range of groups across our communities, including hard to reach groups.

Implement a joined-up approach to promoting activity internally, and provide support externally and with the input of key partners by working with corporate communications teams, to support implementation of communications and engagement strategies, and associated engagement across public, private and third sector organisations as well as with Welsh Government.

Person specification

Qualifications and/or knowledge

Essential criteria

• Relevant Masters' Degree (e.g. Media, Journalism, PR, Marketing or English) or the equivalent level of knowledge and experience.
• Will have specialist knowledge and experience in the following strategic and operational techniques and approaches: • Communications • Engagement and involvement • Media handling • Public relations • Developing and running campaigns • Evaluation • Official visits and events • Social media and digital • Crisis communications • Political handling
• Knowledge of internal and external communications and engagement issues and be in a position to offer help and advice on raising awareness of areas that need improvement and development.

Desirable criteria

• Relevant Public Relations or Marketing qualification (CIPR, CIM) or membership of a relevant professional body, or evidence of professionally accredited CPD.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience of communication and engagement within an in-house or agency communications team.
• Experience of being the lead communications and engagement specialist for a project or area of work.
• Experience of working on campaigns which have resulted in behavioural change.
• Experience of accurately mapping stakeholders, understanding their influence and interest to ensure targeted and inclusive communications and engagement.
• Significant evidence of having developed and implemented communication and engagement plans around complex issues.
• Experience of using a wide range of digital and written communications and engagement channels and techniques.
• Experience of project management and improvement developments.
• Experience of creating opportunities and working collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Experience of patient, public, stakeholder and staff engagement and involvement.
• Significant experience of advising senior leaders and Executives in an organisation.
• Experience of communicating challenging and complex topics to a range of different audiences.
• Experience of budget management or authorising the purchase of communications materials.
• Experience of leading and developing others.
• Experience of managing an efficient and effective communications and engagement operational function.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of NHS communications.

Values

Essential criteria

• Compassion, good communication and engagement, and commitment to the role and ethos of the Health Board.
• Positive attitude to provide good 'internal customer' relations.
• Strong self-awareness and interpersonal skills.
• Keen to listen, learn and improve from others.
• Operates in a respectful way to colleagues, patients, public, stakeholders and media.
• Reliable with a strong sense of team commitment.

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to travel within the geographical area in a timely manner.
• Ability to work flexibly.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to demonstrate situations where effective leadership and management skills have been used.
• Able to translate sensitive and complex information into relevant formats for staff, patients and the public.
• Able to influence decision makers about the communications and engagement approaches.
• Able to lead the communications and engagement aspect of a programme/project.
• Confident in proposing changes to communications policies or approaches for the organisation e.g. dealing with the media.
• Able to communicate complex facts and services changes in a range of ways.
• Able to manage sensitive and challenging topics and situations in an appropriate manner.
• Able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when working with others in challenging situations.
• Able to use measurement data to evaluate the effectiveness of communications and engagement activities and adapt future plans if necessary.
• Ability to communicate, engage and interact with staff at a range of levels.
• Ability to manage a challenging political environment.
• Able to plan events involving senior members of the organisation and multiple stakeholders
• Able to maintain concentration and lead others calmly in an unpredictable work environment.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage own workload and deliver on deadlines while managing competing priorities and urgent requests.
• Excellent IT skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes and new technologies.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to read/write/speak Welsh.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Specification English (PDF, 512.6KB)
• Job Description & Person Specification Welsh (PDF, 576.5KB)
• OH Functional Requirement Form (DOCX, 70.6KB)
• Values and Proud to Lead (PDF, 335.6KB)
• NWSSP Recruitment Services Privacy Notice (PDF, 696.3KB)
• NHS North Wales - The Right Choice (PDF, 3.6MB)
• Welsh Language Matrix (PDF, 134.3KB)
• Betsi Cadwaladr Relocation (PDF, 6.8MB)
• Guidance notes for Applicants v1.2 April 2024-bilingual (PDF, 267.0KB)