Job summary
The postholder will lead and develop a high-performing digital communications team, ensuring clear objectives, effective workload prioritisation, and alignment with organisational strategy through ongoing performance management and staff development.
The postholder will design and deliver integrated, evidence-based digital communication strategies, managing key stakeholder relationships and ensuring that national and local priorities are communicated clearly and consistently across all channels.
The postholder will oversee the operational delivery and continuous improvement of digital communication activities, driving innovation in digital tools and technology, ensuring robust evaluation of all work, and providing expert strategic advice to inform decision-making.
Our organisational values ofWorking Together, with Trust and Respect, to Make a Difference, underpinned by our Being Our Best Framework set out how we are expected to undertake our roles. The Being Our Best colleague group(s) which apply to this role are Colleague and People Manager.
Main duties of the job
- The postholder will lead and develop a high-performing digital communications team, ensuring clear objectives, effective workload prioritisation, and alignment with organisational strategy through ongoing performance management and staff development.
- The postholder will design and deliver integrated, evidence-based digital communication strategies, managing key stakeholder relationships and ensuring that national and local priorities are communicated clearly and consistently across all channels.
- The postholder will oversee the operational delivery and continuous improvement of digital communication activities, driving innovation in digital tools and technology, ensuring robust evaluation of all work, and providing expert strategic advice to inform decision-making.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives.
Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead, inspire, develop and support a team of communications professionals, ensuring effective allocation and prioritisation of workload. Ensure all direct reports have an annual appraisal, clear objectives, a personal development and training plan, and regular My Contribution reviews. Monitor sickness absence and comply with other HR processes.
- Demonstrate advanced strategic planning skills in the development of digital channels, campaigns and audience insights ensuring that key stakeholders and senior leaders are fully informed of progress, continuously assessing the effectiveness of progress and making course corrections when required. A focus on measurement and evaluation is vital for the effective delivery of work.
- Manage key relationships, ensuring clear communications objectives are agreed.
- Drive strategic planning, ensuring that national and local priorities are reflected in communications activity at both national and local levels, working closely with Welsh Government and Health Boards to ensure a co-ordinated approach to communications activity across Wales.
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day operational management and strategic development of all functions within the post holders portfolio, balancing the need for proactive service development and strategic leadership against the reactive demand of operational responsibilities and stakeholders.
- Remain politically aware and understand complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations.
- Work independently, guided by broad organisational strategies and policies and specific local and national guidelines, advising on how these should be interpreted and implemented.
- Frequently exercise judgement and make significant and informed decisions without the opportunity to discuss with colleagues, involving highly complex facts, figures and situations which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. This includes balancing differing professional opinions and positions on what is required for healthy behaviours.
- Analyse and assess conflicting information where expert opinion may differ or information may not be available, relying on judgement and critical thinking to deliver an appropriate outcome.
- Take responsibility for giving expert advice through systematic analysis and reports to inform strategic decisions for the organisation. This includes the development of complex communication strategies to deliver major public health campaigns and agendas.
- Set, monitor and forecast an accurate budget for specialist areas of work.
- Lead and sponsor specific communication projects to develop new ways of working in line with the strategies and business plans of the organisation. This includes planning and organising a broad range of complex activities and programmes of work on a short- and long-term basis, adjusting communication and project priorities and adapting work plans as required.
- Ensure robust evaluation of all work is undertaken and that findings inform future work.
- Actively stay up to date with a range of technologies, such as AI, apps and digital channels to support future development and maintain expertise in measurement and evaluation.
- Develop and maintain strategic links with NHS, broader public service, and third sector communications teams.
- Assist and deputise for the Head of Communications as required.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view on Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Lead, inspire, develop and support a team of communications professionals, ensuring effective allocation and prioritisation of workload. Ensure all direct reports have an annual appraisal, clear objectives, a personal development and training plan, and regular My Contribution reviews. Monitor sickness absence and comply with other HR processes.
- Demonstrate advanced strategic planning skills in the development of digital channels, campaigns and audience insights ensuring that key stakeholders and senior leaders are fully informed of progress, continuously assessing the effectiveness of progress and making course corrections when required. A focus on measurement and evaluation is vital for the effective delivery of work.
- Manage key relationships, ensuring clear communications objectives are agreed.
- Drive strategic planning, ensuring that national and local priorities are reflected in communications activity at both national and local levels, working closely with Welsh Government and Health Boards to ensure a co-ordinated approach to communications activity across Wales.
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day operational management and strategic development of all functions within the post holders portfolio, balancing the need for proactive service development and strategic leadership against the reactive demand of operational responsibilities and stakeholders.
- Remain politically aware and understand complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations.
- Work independently, guided by broad organisational strategies and policies and specific local and national guidelines, advising on how these should be interpreted and implemented.
- Frequently exercise judgement and make significant and informed decisions without the opportunity to discuss with colleagues, involving highly complex facts, figures and situations which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. This includes balancing differing professional opinions and positions on what is required for healthy behaviours.
- Analyse and assess conflicting information where expert opinion may differ or information may not be available, relying on judgement and critical thinking to deliver an appropriate outcome.
- Take responsibility for giving expert advice through systematic analysis and reports to inform strategic decisions for the organisation. This includes the development of complex communication strategies to deliver major public health campaigns and agendas.
- Set, monitor and forecast an accurate budget for specialist areas of work.
- Lead and sponsor specific communication projects to develop new ways of working in line with the strategies and business plans of the organisation. This includes planning and organising a broad range of complex activities and programmes of work on a short- and long-term basis, adjusting communication and project priorities and adapting work plans as required.
- Ensure robust evaluation of all work is undertaken and that findings inform future work.
- Actively stay up to date with a range of technologies, such as AI, apps and digital channels to support future development and maintain expertise in measurement and evaluation.
- Develop and maintain strategic links with NHS, broader public service, and third sector communications teams.
- Assist and deputise for the Head of Communications as required.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view on Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree
- MSc or equivalent experience and training in Public Relations
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations or Institute for Internal Communicators
- Postgraduate qualification in Public Relations
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in digital communications
- Significant experience in change communications
- Significant experience in planning and implementing PR programmes
Desirable
- Experience handling big staff change programmes
- Employment in a public health or health service environment
- Work in a complex environment with many stakeholders
- Social marketing experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of NHS systems and structures
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role and functions of public health organisations in Wales
Desirable
- Public health issues and structures
- Welsh public sector
- Welsh media
- Welsh government and political structures
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written, oral and aural communication skills, including use of spelling and grammar
- Excellent skills for working with and influencing all types of media
- Excellent and well developed influencing and negotiation skills
- Ability to assimilate complex information from multiple sources and to apply personal knowledge to develop creative solutions to complex and challenging problems
- Ability to deliver information, sometimes highly complex, using a variety of presentation tools to a range of different audiences, some of whom may be challenging, at all levels in the organisation in a manner that can be understood by staff at all levels
- Ability to convey complex information in a way which is non confrontational, shows empathy, tact, sensitivity and understanding to a variety of very different perspectives
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries and within different environment
- Ability to build confidence quickly from staff and senior managers in different agencies
- Ability to develop communications strategy at a high level
- Ability to plan campaigns based on sometimes conflicting interests and perspectives
- Ability to take forward policy through action planning and organisation
- Ability to work reliably and efficiently under own initiative or as part of a team at different levels within the organisation
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritise, plan and manage own time to meet tight deadlines and schedules
- Ability to engage and organise a range of staff and stakeholders with different, and sometimes challenging, interests and perspectives so that they can plan, work together and communicate across a broad range of complex programmes and services
- Ability to analyse and evaluate complex situations, policy, evidence, data and information quickly and sometimes in a hostile and fast-moving environment e.g., problem solving, decision making
- Innovation and ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex and challenging problems
- Ability to offer constructive criticism, to design and introduce improvements and drive change
- Ability to make quick judgements based on the interpretation and comparison of complex, challenging and sometimes emotionally charged situations and facts
- A high level of IT skill and familiarisation with full Microsoft Office Suite, for preparation and production of letters, presentations, documents and reports
- Ability to utilise IT to gather and maintain information sets
- Ability to use email, internet, intranet, new media and other computer workspace in support of personal and organisational communications
Desirable
- Welsh language speaking and writing skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic, committed, proactive and innovative
- Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines
- Ability to work well as part of a team and propose innovative solutions to challenges
- Ability to work on own initiative and self manage workload
- Willingness to learn and develop skills
- Able to deal with challenging cross organisational relationships
- Expected to respond rapidly and efficiently to ever-changing circumstances
- Ability to inspire confidence in others including senior managers and clinicians
- Ability to meet tight and rigid deadlines
- Ability to work on multiple tasks
- Ability to stay calm in a crisis
- Ability to think quickly and clearly when faced with unexpected and complex challenges requiring an immediate response
- Ability to respond rationally to emotional, highly charged and unwelcome situations
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Commitment to continuing professional development
Other
Essential
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout Wales and the UK with possible international travel.
Desirable
- Ability to speak Welsh/willingness to learn
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree
- MSc or equivalent experience and training in Public Relations
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations or Institute for Internal Communicators
- Postgraduate qualification in Public Relations
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in digital communications
- Significant experience in change communications
- Significant experience in planning and implementing PR programmes
Desirable
- Experience handling big staff change programmes
- Employment in a public health or health service environment
- Work in a complex environment with many stakeholders
- Social marketing experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of NHS systems and structures
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the role and functions of public health organisations in Wales
Desirable
- Public health issues and structures
- Welsh public sector
- Welsh media
- Welsh government and political structures
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written, oral and aural communication skills, including use of spelling and grammar
- Excellent skills for working with and influencing all types of media
- Excellent and well developed influencing and negotiation skills
- Ability to assimilate complex information from multiple sources and to apply personal knowledge to develop creative solutions to complex and challenging problems
- Ability to deliver information, sometimes highly complex, using a variety of presentation tools to a range of different audiences, some of whom may be challenging, at all levels in the organisation in a manner that can be understood by staff at all levels
- Ability to convey complex information in a way which is non confrontational, shows empathy, tact, sensitivity and understanding to a variety of very different perspectives
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries and within different environment
- Ability to build confidence quickly from staff and senior managers in different agencies
- Ability to develop communications strategy at a high level
- Ability to plan campaigns based on sometimes conflicting interests and perspectives
- Ability to take forward policy through action planning and organisation
- Ability to work reliably and efficiently under own initiative or as part of a team at different levels within the organisation
- Good time management skills and ability to prioritise, plan and manage own time to meet tight deadlines and schedules
- Ability to engage and organise a range of staff and stakeholders with different, and sometimes challenging, interests and perspectives so that they can plan, work together and communicate across a broad range of complex programmes and services
- Ability to analyse and evaluate complex situations, policy, evidence, data and information quickly and sometimes in a hostile and fast-moving environment e.g., problem solving, decision making
- Innovation and ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex and challenging problems
- Ability to offer constructive criticism, to design and introduce improvements and drive change
- Ability to make quick judgements based on the interpretation and comparison of complex, challenging and sometimes emotionally charged situations and facts
- A high level of IT skill and familiarisation with full Microsoft Office Suite, for preparation and production of letters, presentations, documents and reports
- Ability to utilise IT to gather and maintain information sets
- Ability to use email, internet, intranet, new media and other computer workspace in support of personal and organisational communications
Desirable
- Welsh language speaking and writing skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic, committed, proactive and innovative
- Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines
- Ability to work well as part of a team and propose innovative solutions to challenges
- Ability to work on own initiative and self manage workload
- Willingness to learn and develop skills
- Able to deal with challenging cross organisational relationships
- Expected to respond rapidly and efficiently to ever-changing circumstances
- Ability to inspire confidence in others including senior managers and clinicians
- Ability to meet tight and rigid deadlines
- Ability to work on multiple tasks
- Ability to stay calm in a crisis
- Ability to think quickly and clearly when faced with unexpected and complex challenges requiring an immediate response
- Ability to respond rationally to emotional, highly charged and unwelcome situations
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Commitment to continuing professional development
Other
Essential
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout Wales and the UK with possible international travel.
Desirable
- Ability to speak Welsh/willingness to learn
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
