Job summary
Communications Officer
- Band 6 £35,392 - £42,618 per annum
- Location - Hybrid working - There will be an expectation to travel to sites within Surrey and travel to SECAmb HQ in Crawley.
We're looking for a fantastic communications specialist to join our busy Corporate Communications Team and help us to tell our story!
The Communications Officer will be an enthusiastic communicator, with a nose for a good story, passion for great content, flair for making connections and solid experience of proactive and reactive media management. They will provide credible communications advice and influence across the organisation and to a senior level of the Trust when managing complex and challenging issues and to tight deadlines.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be an integral part of the Trust's Corporate Communications Team, responsible for delivering day to day communication requirements both internally and externally.
The role includes creating, implementing, and evaluating communication plans as well as being responsible for the delivery of business-as-usual communications via our Trust channels including responding to routine media enquiries, composing written and creating digital content material across all Trust communications channels and mechanisms, as well as supporting the delivery of internal and external campaigns and other major communications projects.
The role will also be aligned to work closely with the operational teams in one of our three counties - Kent, Surrey or Sussex - to support and improve local communication, as well as identifying positive local opportunities for wider sharing.
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About us
- NHS employees will be eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme
- A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing with service.
- Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
- Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
- Access to our award-winning Wellbeing services
- Access to occupational health and counselling services.
- Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for:
- Supporting the delivery of the Trusts Communications & Engagement Strategy
- Developing, managing and delivering effective internal communications through the Trusts various communication channels, as well as supporting the development and delivery of communications plans.
- Supporting local management teams in their area, to improve local communications and identifying local opportunities to positively enhance the Trusts reputation
- Providing day to day delivery of the Trusts press office handling media enquiries from local and national journalists, drafting media statements, press releases and overseeing FOIs to the highest standard.
- Working with senior members of the Communication Team in developing media strategies as needed and providing media handling advice across the Trust and to a senior level.
- Informing senior members of the Communications Team of any emerging issues and brief regional teams on media handling approaches
- Representing the Trusts Communications Team in providing credible communication expertise at external and internal meetings as well liaising directly with patients and service users for the purpose of promoting the work of the Trust. Therefore, the postholder will need to be willing to travel to other locations and have a full driving licence.
- Commissioning, writing, editing and proof-reading copy for the Trusts internal and stakeholder communication channels
- Assisting in the production of marketing materials in keeping with the Trusts brand to promote specific campaigns and activities for a range of stakeholders
- Developing a proactive approach to gathering good news stories and case studies from around the Trust, liaising with service managers and clinicians, for both internal and external use
- Supporting senior members of the Communications Team in the delivery of events hosted by the Trust both internally and externally.
- Providing guidance and oversight to the Freedom of Information requests, analysing responses and providing challenge where necessary
The postholder will be expected to attend Crawley HQ a minimum of two days per week and spend one day per week in their designated aligned area.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for:
- Supporting the delivery of the Trusts Communications & Engagement Strategy
- Developing, managing and delivering effective internal communications through the Trusts various communication channels, as well as supporting the development and delivery of communications plans.
- Supporting local management teams in their area, to improve local communications and identifying local opportunities to positively enhance the Trusts reputation
- Providing day to day delivery of the Trusts press office handling media enquiries from local and national journalists, drafting media statements, press releases and overseeing FOIs to the highest standard.
- Working with senior members of the Communication Team in developing media strategies as needed and providing media handling advice across the Trust and to a senior level.
- Informing senior members of the Communications Team of any emerging issues and brief regional teams on media handling approaches
- Representing the Trusts Communications Team in providing credible communication expertise at external and internal meetings as well liaising directly with patients and service users for the purpose of promoting the work of the Trust. Therefore, the postholder will need to be willing to travel to other locations and have a full driving licence.
- Commissioning, writing, editing and proof-reading copy for the Trusts internal and stakeholder communication channels
- Assisting in the production of marketing materials in keeping with the Trusts brand to promote specific campaigns and activities for a range of stakeholders
- Developing a proactive approach to gathering good news stories and case studies from around the Trust, liaising with service managers and clinicians, for both internal and external use
- Supporting senior members of the Communications Team in the delivery of events hosted by the Trust both internally and externally.
- Providing guidance and oversight to the Freedom of Information requests, analysing responses and providing challenge where necessary
The postholder will be expected to attend Crawley HQ a minimum of two days per week and spend one day per week in their designated aligned area.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a related area (communications, marketing, PR or journalism), or equivalent training and experience gained in a communications/marketing environment to post grad diploma level, or equivalent training and experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- oExcellent knowledge of communications and PR techniques and procedures and an interest in the PR and communications profession and best practice
Experience
Essential
- oSignificant experience of producing a wide range of written information tailored to different audiences and communications channels, which adhere to brand guidelines and best practice
Experience
Essential
- oSignificant experience of working with the media
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed spoken and written English and ability to identify and develop news stories
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a related area (communications, marketing, PR or journalism), or equivalent training and experience gained in a communications/marketing environment to post grad diploma level, or equivalent training and experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- oExcellent knowledge of communications and PR techniques and procedures and an interest in the PR and communications profession and best practice
Experience
Essential
- oSignificant experience of producing a wide range of written information tailored to different audiences and communications channels, which adhere to brand guidelines and best practice
Experience
Essential
- oSignificant experience of working with the media
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed spoken and written English and ability to identify and develop news stories
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).
