Senior Communications Officer

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key communications duties:
• Develop effective project, communications/engagement and marketing plans, which are tailored to the needs of different stakeholders and consider how best to use a range of channels creatively, including social media, multimedia and those managed by other colleagues
• Interpreting clinical and operational information into easy to understand health messages for the public and promoting them across relevant channels
• Advise Trust services on their communication needs including consultations and tender processes
• Working with colleagues, proactively develop our relationships with partners to enable use of their marketing channels and work collaboratively on joint projects
• Proactively seek out and learn from best practice, informing the development of our externally and internally facing communications channels
• Developing effective, accessible, patient information, ensuring effective recording and version control
• Support proactive and reactive media relations activity for the Trust. Support these media relations programmes by:

o Drafting press releases, statements and features

o Liaising with journalists to promote features and news ideas

o Liaising with journalists to set up interviews
• Advise and support relevant managers in drafting press releases and media responses on issues including those which are complex, contentious and/or challenging
• Support media enquiries, developing responses on behalf of the Trust and jointly with partner organisations
• Seek to maximise all opportunities to promote the Trust, its key messages and brand and minimise adverse impacts on its reputation
• Working with clinical and managerial staff advise, support and facilitate the communication of Trust news, achievements, initiatives and new service developments
• Help in the management and development of the Trust's digital platforms as required including website, social media and developing multimedia content including videos and graphics. This includes supporting clinical services to develop their webpages.
• Developing written communications including print and digital newsletters
• Support the Communications Team with the organisation and running of corporate events
• Being an active and supportive member of the external and operational communications sub-team.

Other communications duties
• To assist other Communications Team members with the co-ordination and planning of events, meetings, presentations and briefings
• Alongside the rest of the Team ensure the Trust brand is upheld
• Track all activity in our project management tool (wrike)
• Write, edit and proof-read content and articles for a variety of audiences
• Commission, print, design and liaise with printers as necessary
• Provide information and effectively signpost members of staff or the public who contact the Communications Team
• Act in accordance with Trust policies and procedures
• Support the Communications Team with a wide variety of tasks as and when required.

Fully participate and take advantage of the personal development and training opportunities offered by the Trust and line manager
• To participate in annual personal development appraisal reviews with line manager
• To undertake such programmes of personal development and further training, as may be agreed at the beginning of the appointment and at subsequent annual reviews
• To attend and contribute to meetings as appropriate, including team, communications and development meetings

Autonomy and initiative
• Take own initiative and assist others in learning to do so. Exercise considerable judgement in all contacts and activities. Manage own time effectively
• Know when and how to ask advise or escalate issues to more senior members of the team
• Follow-up leads effectively as appropriate.

Other
• We expect all our colleagues to share the values that are important to the organisation and behave in a way that reflect these in keeping with the competency framework
• Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by more senior staff and senior representatives from other functions within the organisation
• Observe the highest standard of honesty and personal integrity at all times
• Available to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends as may be reasonably necessary.

Working environment
• The post holder will be seated at a desk for prolonged periods of time concentrating on reporting and planning
• This role will work in a mixture of home and office environments as well as offices and attend functions both on NHFT sites and externally.

Person specification

Behaviours and values

Essential criteria

• Commitment to own personal professional development including evidence of ongoing commitment to development in the communications field
• Professional, positive approach towards all stakeholders
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and resilient
• Strong commitment to high standards of service delivery and customer care
• Thrives working as part of a team of communications professionals
• Values in line with Trust leadership behaviours - being authentic, embracing change, taking responsibility, working together

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Educated to higher education level in a relevant subject with experience which allows demonstration of relevant core competencies, or equivalent highly relevant and demonstrable experience
• Demonstrable communications knowledge and equivalent experiences with experience of working in an external communications environment
• Experience of Content Management Systems and creation of accessible content for websites
• Experience of dealing with sensitive information and an understanding of patient confidentiality
• Experience of developing collateral (e.g. leaflets, posters, report documents etc) ensuring consideration for accessibility legislation and organisational branding
• Experience of developing proactive, positive showcasing stories in a similar role or organisation
• Experience of developing written newsletters/magazines for a variety of different needs and target audiences
• Experience of information gathering messages in a large organisation and preparation of messages for internal and external audiences
• Experience of in-house digital content generation and development (e.g. videos, podcasts), in similar organisations, ensuring content is channel and audience appropriate
• Experience of planning and delivering multichannel communication projects/campaigns
• Experience of using social media for healthcare promotion, behaviour change or other ethical marketing including advertising and evaluation
• Experience of using Wrike or similar project management tools, e.g.Trello, Monday.com etc is desirable
• Experiencing and evidence of using evaluation techniques in relation to communications (considering both social and traditional channels)
• Knowledge of and experience of working with the media

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the issues currently affecting the NHS and the Trust is desirable
• Experience of working within public sector or charitable organisations is desirable

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to prioritise and deliver objectives in a complex environment, managing multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines
• Ability to translate complicated information into plain clear English and use the most appropriate tactics to communicate messages
• Ability to travel between sites and to external meetings
• Ability to use photo, film and audio equipment
• Ability to work on own initiative and to exercise sound judgment and discretion and to seek advice and guidance when needed
• Ability to work remotely, using tools such as Microsoft Teams to connect with others
• Able to manage own workload
• Diplomatic and able to work effectively with a range of people at all levels inside the Trust and with partner organisations, including being capable and confident when dealing with senior staff and clinicians
• Excellent and relevant multimedia and software skills including Abode Creative Cloud software (Indesign, premier pro) and/or Canva
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write and edit to appropriate levels for different audiences
• Influencing skills to help explain and demonstrate the value of the Trust approaches and processes for communications/the role of professional communication functions

Important Information

Applications will be transferred to the TRAC system, by completing an application you are giving authorisation for the transfer of your data. In submitting an application form, you authorise us to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Including factual reference, occupational health clearance and statutory and mandatory training records

Correspondence regarding your application will be sent to you via a TRAC system account.

Please submit your application as soon as possible; due to the high volumes of applications we receive we reserve the right to close any adverts before the closing date once we have received sufficient applications.

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re-check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly , the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy. For further information please visit: DBS Update Service: applicant guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note if a DBS is applicable for the position then a charge will be deducted from your first salary or upfront cost if a staff bank position.

Please note that all new starters to the trust are subject to a probationary period.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Senior Communications Officer Job Description and Person Spec (PDF, 1017.1KB)
• Benefits (PDF, 570.7KB)