Main duties and key responsibilities The communications officer will: Assist the head of communications and senior communications manager with campaigns and consultations, working to an agreed communications strategy Develop innovative ways of engaging with staff and communicating the Trusts key messages and key objective Act as a positive and professional ambassador for the communications department in providing a point of contact Lead on the writing, editing and production of creative and engaging content for communications channels Provide communications advice and support to Trust staff and SASH Charity Manage and align communications and engagement within national policy and public opinion Deal with issues around confidentiality and data protection, equalities and human rights Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and audiences Maintain communication with staff who do not regularly access email and maintain the trust notice boards. Media relations The communications officer will: Identify stories and develop them into news release and features items Participate in researching, drafting and distributing publications for internal audiences, external stakeholders and local, national and specialist media Develop good working relationships with key journalists, co-ordinate and deliver proactive news releases and seek new ways of increasing positive coverage dentify photography requirements, liaising with service leads and arranging for photography sessions Receive and co-ordinate media enquiries and actively monitor media coverage, blogs and social media postings and agree responses Establish, build and maintain good working relationships with key journalists in the local, national and specialist media Ensure that broadcast media adhere to the Trusts media policy while working on site Publications The communications officer will: Handle, draft, and process complex and sensitive information, liaising with senior staff including making decisions about how information is presented Negotiate the competitive production of communications and liaise with selected agencies in the design and print of items and publications using established Trust brand guidelines Support the production of displays and publicity materials Write the Trusts internal newsletter by interviewing staff, drafting articles, overseeing design and distribution Act as guardian of communication through noticeboards and posters Source and create good news material for local, national and specialist media to help raise the profile and reputation of SASH through news releases, photo/filming opportunities and interviews Maintain and develop content for SASHs website, Intranet and social media platforms Help to develop new opportunities with social and digital media, including the increased use of digital images and video Digital communications Support the trusts digital communications lead to maintain digital communications channels. Event management The communications officer will assist in the management of a range of corporate and charity events, including the Trusts annual general meeting; TeamTalk; open days, official openings, VIP, royal and ministerial visits. They will also lead on Team Talk, the Trusts monthly staff forum. Financial responsibility Assist in ordering of goods and services and maintaining accurate financial records Level of clinical responsibility No direct clinical responsibility however the post holder requires an understanding when clinicians need to be consulted or involved in communications projects. Leadership and staff management responsibility Will be required to act on behalf of the senior communications manager in their absence with support from the head of communications. Responsibility for dealing with difficult situations Although this role involves working to meet various fixed project deadlines, a proportion of the post holders time will be devoted to ad hoc projects. Little of the work is routine and this calls for flexibility and sound judgement about often complex or sensitive issues. Requires good interpersonal skills. Important when interacting with the public and the media, consultants and other clinical and non-clinical staff.