Job summary
The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre, is looking for an outstanding Senior PR and Communications Officer to join its busy in-house communications team.The successful applicant will have excellent external and internal communications skills, public relations and media expertise, and strong editorial capability. They will work across the organisation, driving forward proactive PR to support both the NHS Foundation Trust and The Royal Marsden Private Care's position as the leading oncology voice in the UK and abroad.They will have experience pitching scientific research to national and industry media, skills they will bring to proactively communicate the latest research breakthroughs, using international oncology conferences as a platform, as well as working closely with key consultants to highlight the research of The Royal Marsden and its impact on cancer treatment globally.As part of a team, they will work alongside a second Senior PR and Communications Officer, supported by the Senior PR and Communications Manager, as well as colleagues within the wider Marketing and Communications Department and staff across the Trust and The Royal Marsden Private Care including clinicians and researchers, and external stakeholders.
Main duties of the job
- To work within the PR and Communications Team to deliver the Trust and Private Care's public relations, external and internal communications strategies.
- To deliver both a proactive and reactive plan to raise the profile and understanding of the work of the Trust and Private Care, enhance its reputation and promote awareness of its aims and achievements in ways which are appropriate for the different audiences (including patients, families, staff, private care insurers, embassies and international referrers, GPs and others within the wider NHS, the general public).
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- To develop and implement the Trusts and Private Cares public relations and communications strategy. To deliver both a proactive and reactive plan to raise the profile and understanding of the work of the Trust and Private Care, enhance its reputation and promote awareness of its aims and achievements in ways which are appropriate for the different audiences (including patients, families, staff, referrers, insurers, governors and members and others within the wider NHS, the public).
- Proactively communicate the latest research breakthroughs using conferences such as ASCO and ESMO as a platform, as well as working closely with key consultants to highlight the research of The Royal Marsden and its impact on cancer treatment globally, pitching stories to the media and using the patient voice as appropriate, working with the Private Care Marketing Team to identify opportunities to promote research achievements to private care audiences.
- Provide a comprehensive media service, particularly around the proactive sell-in of a positive news agenda from The Royal Marsden locally and internationally, including thought leadership pieces and focus on the areas in which the organisation leads, including Private Care.
- Work across all areas of The Royal Marsden, including The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden Private Care, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and The Royal Marsden School to identify communications opportunities and respond to queries.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- To develop and implement the Trusts and Private Cares public relations and communications strategy. To deliver both a proactive and reactive plan to raise the profile and understanding of the work of the Trust and Private Care, enhance its reputation and promote awareness of its aims and achievements in ways which are appropriate for the different audiences (including patients, families, staff, referrers, insurers, governors and members and others within the wider NHS, the public).
- Proactively communicate the latest research breakthroughs using conferences such as ASCO and ESMO as a platform, as well as working closely with key consultants to highlight the research of The Royal Marsden and its impact on cancer treatment globally, pitching stories to the media and using the patient voice as appropriate, working with the Private Care Marketing Team to identify opportunities to promote research achievements to private care audiences.
- Provide a comprehensive media service, particularly around the proactive sell-in of a positive news agenda from The Royal Marsden locally and internationally, including thought leadership pieces and focus on the areas in which the organisation leads, including Private Care.
- Work across all areas of The Royal Marsden, including The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal Marsden Private Care, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and The Royal Marsden School to identify communications opportunities and respond to queries.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree in communications or equivalent
Desirable
- Other professional qualifications e.g. journalism, IPR, CAM
Experience
Essential
- Substantial PR and communications experience - within an NHS or private healthcare setting/Government department/healthcare charity/or blue chip company
- Experience communicating scientific or research-based information to different audiences
- Understanding of healthcare
Desirable
- Experience of working in a dynamic, high profile organisation that is a leader in its field with a strong brand
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Experience stewarding visiting journalists and or VIPs during site visits
- Experience of managing stakeholders both within and outside an organisation, of all levels
Desirable
- Able to juggle multiple priorities and be cool and calm under pressure - ideally with first- hand experience of crisis management
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree in communications or equivalent
Desirable
- Other professional qualifications e.g. journalism, IPR, CAM
Experience
Essential
- Substantial PR and communications experience - within an NHS or private healthcare setting/Government department/healthcare charity/or blue chip company
- Experience communicating scientific or research-based information to different audiences
- Understanding of healthcare
Desirable
- Experience of working in a dynamic, high profile organisation that is a leader in its field with a strong brand
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Experience stewarding visiting journalists and or VIPs during site visits
- Experience of managing stakeholders both within and outside an organisation, of all levels
Desirable
- Able to juggle multiple priorities and be cool and calm under pressure - ideally with first- hand experience of crisis management
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.
