Job summary
The Communications Assistant is a pivotal role within the West London Communications Team, providing responsive communications advice and assistance and improving engagement across digital platforms.
Motivated and ambitious, you will be seeking to further develop your career as a communications professional. Excellent writing skills and a high degree of technical skill will be needed in the role, which will involve drafting communications materials, managing content on a range of communications channels, and supporting the team on a range of projects, campaigns and events.
Taking a proactive, organised and innovative approach to your work, you will make a real impact to staff experience and engagement and help to transform the Trust's external profile.
While the majority of duties for this role will support your professional communications career, you will also be providing some administrative support to the Communications Team.
Main duties of the job
The Communications Assistant is a pivotal role within the West London Communications Team, providing responsive communications advice and assistance and improving engagement across digital platforms.
Motivated and ambitious, you will be seeking to further develop your career as a communications professional. Excellent writing skills and a high degree of technical skill will be needed in the role, which will involve drafting communications materials, managing content on a range of communications channels, and supporting the team on a range of projects, campaigns and events.
Taking a proactive, organised and innovative approach to your work, you will make a real impact to staff experience and engagement and help to transform the Trust's external profile.
While the majority of duties for this role will support your professional communications career, you will also be providing some administrative support to the Communications Team.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.The Trust is rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- GCSE English Language or equivalent
- Degree or equivalent qualification in marketing, communications, journalism or public relations, or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a busy office environment
- Experience of organising internal & external events from conception to delivery
- Experience of using large databases
- Demonstrable experience of using initiative to improve offices processes
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS or public sector
- Experience of working within a communications/ press environment
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent written & verbal skills
- Highly competent user of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access databases
- Strong planning & organisational skills
- Diary management
- Note & minute taking
- Knowledge of business planning, budgets & financial processes
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with people in a diplomatic manner
- Ability to meet tight deadlines, with good negotiation/persuasion skills, dealing effectively with challenging issues
Desirable
- Understanding of the NHS and wider health environment
- Understanding of Data Protection, Freedom of Information & Caldicott principles
- Experience of using content management systems and writing for the web
- Use of video editing software/tools
- Use of email marketing software/platforms
- Experience of working with design and print agencies
- Experience of arranging or supporting events or conferences
- Experience of delivering or supporting campaigns
- Knowledge and understanding of the media (print, broadcast, online)
- Knowledge of key issues currently facing the NHS
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- GCSE English Language or equivalent
- Degree or equivalent qualification in marketing, communications, journalism or public relations, or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a busy office environment
- Experience of organising internal & external events from conception to delivery
- Experience of using large databases
- Demonstrable experience of using initiative to improve offices processes
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS or public sector
- Experience of working within a communications/ press environment
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent written & verbal skills
- Highly competent user of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access databases
- Strong planning & organisational skills
- Diary management
- Note & minute taking
- Knowledge of business planning, budgets & financial processes
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with people in a diplomatic manner
- Ability to meet tight deadlines, with good negotiation/persuasion skills, dealing effectively with challenging issues
Desirable
- Understanding of the NHS and wider health environment
- Understanding of Data Protection, Freedom of Information & Caldicott principles
- Experience of using content management systems and writing for the web
- Use of video editing software/tools
- Use of email marketing software/platforms
- Experience of working with design and print agencies
- Experience of arranging or supporting events or conferences
- Experience of delivering or supporting campaigns
- Knowledge and understanding of the media (print, broadcast, online)
- Knowledge of key issues currently facing the NHS
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).
