Main area Communications Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover) Hours
* Full time
* Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (plus on call) Job ref 358-6935183-COR-BC
Employer University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Leicester Royal Infirmary Town Leicester Salary £46,148 - £52,809 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 26/02/2025 23:59
Communications Manager
NHS AfC: Band 7
We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work / life balance
Job overview
The role of Communications Manager is a fast-paced and challenging one, working in one of the five biggest NHS Trusts in the country. You will be part of a creative, friendly and passionate team, playing a vital role in the delivery of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust's vision to be 'leading in healthcare, trusted in communities'.
With a strong focus on building and maintaining our internal relationships and delivering our business-as-usual communications service, the role will support a number of key campaigns and projects.
This post is critical in ensuring we deliver effective, high-quality communications that benefits our patients, colleagues and communities. You can be sure your work with us will contribute to the delivery of high-quality care, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence.
Main duties of the job
As Communications Manager, you will line manage communications officers and a communications assistant. Together you will help to translate client asks into creative ideas and effective communications, both internally and externally.
The post holder will be required to deputise for the Head of Communications – Content and Channels, in their absence. This will include day-to-day management of direct reports and handling of communications across internal, external (including media) and digital communications.
The successful candidate will have experience in taking the lead on projects and be able to deliver stand-alone communications and campaigns from start to end. A strong communicator, you will be able to act as an adviser to colleagues across the Trust and have experience being the communications representative at a variety of multi-agency meetings.
As we are a busy hospital Trust, an understanding of crisis management and an ability to work effectively under pressure is desirable.
Working for our organisation
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
* high-quality care for all,
* being a great place to work,
* partnerships for impact, and
* research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
* we are compassionate,
* we are proud,
* we are inclusive, and
* we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Full details of the job can be found in the attached job description.
We communicate daily with a wide range of audiences including more than 17,000 colleagues, over one million patients, local and national broadcast and print media, local GPs, other NHS organisations and a wide range of stakeholders. We manage all official communications, PR, social media, website and intranet activity for the Trust.
The communications and engagement department also has a specialist medical illustration team that provide design and photography services to our many clinical areas, and a patient and community engagement team. Together we are responsible for the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) agenda, along with the management of the Trust’s patient partners and public members. Key responsibilities in this role include:
1. Communication consultancy – advise on and use internal and external communications channels to cascade and promote corporate messages.
2. Good news – work with internal stakeholders to source and develop good news stories.
3. Campaigns – lead on the development and delivery of internal and external campaigns.
4. Evaluation – measure reach, impact and return-on-investment.
5. People management – day-to-day line management of Communications Officers and Communications Assistant.
6. Project Management - Work closely with the Head of Communications to ensure the workflow of communications activities.
7. Publications - source and write copy appropriate to our channels.
8. Events management - support the Deputy Director of Communications and Head of Communications in organising events.
9. On call service - Take part in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
Person specification
Training & Qualifications
* Educated to degree level or equivalent
* Post degree experience of 2 years or more in communications/marketing
* Positive attitude towards learning and development
* Postgraduate qualification in communications, or working towards this standard
* Membership of professional body
Planning and organisation skills
* Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
* Ability to prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines
* Excellent IT skills, including ability to use desktop publishing software and content management systems.
* Excellent project management skills
* Ability to research subject matter to produce engaging articles.
* Proven planning and organisational skills.
Experience
* Experience of a broad range of communications and engagement disciplines.
* Use of CMS systems for websites and intranets.
* Confidence in using design and video software.
* Managing and motivating staff and teams.
* Developing communication plans and delivering them.
* Experience of working in a customer/client facing environment.
* Demonstrated experience in a healthcare/ NHS environment.
* Crisis management experience.
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
* Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours
Communication and relationship skills
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Confident and able to establish credibility quickly
* Able to influence and interact with a diverse customer group
* Ability to manage confrontational situations and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
* A team player, with a flexible approach
Analytical and Judgement skills
* Able to analyse issues quickly and make decisions.
* Ability to interpret data, produce reports and draw out recommendations.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
Other requirements specific to the role
* Proactive, enthusiastic and well-motivated.
* Ability to give constructive feedback.
* Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative at all times.
* Able to work under pressure and deliver results.
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