Job summary
The Senior Communications Officer will play a critical role in supporting the operational delivery of communications across the organisation. They will ensure communication channels are accurate, up to date, and effectively promote the right content to the right audience. The role includes a focus on reputation building, external communications, managing video and photography production, and overseeing processes and communication requests
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Senior Communications Officer will lead on internal and external communications strategies, producing high-quality materials tailored for diverse audiences. They will engage effectively with patients, staff, stakeholders, and the wider public, supporting the organisation's objectives and values. This role also involves managing projects, supporting process improvements, and delivering evidence-based communications that align with Trust priorities.
This is an opportunity for an experienced and adaptable professional who understands healthcare or public sector challenges and can deliver impactful messaging to internal and external audiences.
This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with two days per week spent at Trust locations across the Black Country region (locations may vary) and three days working from home"
Main duties of the job
The Senior Communications Officer supports digital communications, including managing the website, staff app, screensavers, and social media platforms. They handle media enquiries, prepare press releases, and contribute to public relations strategies. The role involves leading internal communications by developing staff channels and ensuring employees are informed and engaged. They plan, deliver, and evaluate communication campaigns and organise events such as VIP visits and staff engagement activities. A key focus is on identifying and promoting human interest stories that highlight the organisation's work and values. The officer oversees the communications email inbox, ensuring timely responses and providing guidance to colleagues. They create and edit engaging content for press releases, newsletters, internal updates, and social media, while also managing and supporting junior staff, including the Assistant Communications Officer. Additionally, they contribute to process improvements by developing tools and systems to enhance communication delivery.
About us
Employees, workers, and / or contractors will be expected to uphold the values of the Trust and exhibit the expected Trust behaviours aligned to the Trust's values. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they display the Trust values and behaviours in carrying out their job and that individuals feel able to challenge (or raise a challenge) when other colleagues' behaviours breach the spirit of Trust values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Report to the Communications Manager and deputise for this post when necessary.
- Support digital communications, including maintaining and updating the website, staff app, screensavers, and social media channels. Work to ensure these platforms are consistently engaging, up-to-date, and aligned with the Trusts objectives.
- Support media enquiries, including responding promptly, preparing press statements, and organising media interviews. Provide input into communication plans and campaigns to strengthen public relations.
- Plan and deliver events, including VIP visits, service openings, and staff engagement activities, ensuring they are well-organised and align with the Trusts communication objectives.
- Oversee the communications email inbox, ensuring enquiries are handled promptly and appropriately. Provide guidance to colleagues and escalate issues where necessary.
- Focus on human interest stories, identifying and promoting compelling stories from across the Trust. Share these through press releases, social media, and other internal and external communication channels to build engagement and reputation.
- Plan and manage key campaigns, including preparing, managing, and evaluating plans with project teams to meet their objectives. Coordinate campaign delivery and ensure projects remain within budget.
- Oversee internal communications, including managing staff communication channels such as newsletters, updates, and briefings to keep staff informed and engaged.
- Design, implement, and evaluate communication and engagement strategies to support the Trusts overall goals and communication plans.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on communication issues. Write clear and effective copy on their behalf when required.
- Lead and support communications colleagues, motivating and advising them to deliver high-quality outputs. Manage the Assistant Communications Officer and oversee their development and contributions.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and partners, building and maintaining effective working relationships to support integrated communications and shared goals.
- Conduct research and evaluation to inform communication priorities, monitor effectiveness, and improve strategies in line with evidence-based practices.
- Produce and implement comprehensive communications plans, introducing new communication initiatives aligned with best practice and legislation as required.
- Identify and promote good news stories internally and externally to enhance the Trusts reputation. Share these through a variety of communication platforms.
- Write engaging and effective content for press releases, newsletters, staff communications, and social media campaigns tailored to diverse audiences.
- Coordinate and promote staff and manager briefings and other engagement initiatives to improve communication and collaboration within the Trust.
- Manage video and photography production, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with communication goals and Trust standards.
- Respond to communication queries received by the team from internal colleagues and external partners, providing timely and helpful support.
General duties:
1. Support the team in the production and distribution of high quality print/online publications. This may include sourcing copy and images, writing copy, proof reading, liaising with external suppliers and distributing materials.
2. Contribute to monitoring the Communications and Engagements team email inbox and telephone line, helping to progress enquiries efficiently and professionally.
3. Represent the Communications and Engagement team at internal and external meetings.
4. Undertake general administration tasks such as raising purchase orders and updating databases.
5. To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality communications and engagement service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Report to the Communications Manager and deputise for this post when necessary.
- Support digital communications, including maintaining and updating the website, staff app, screensavers, and social media channels. Work to ensure these platforms are consistently engaging, up-to-date, and aligned with the Trusts objectives.
- Support media enquiries, including responding promptly, preparing press statements, and organising media interviews. Provide input into communication plans and campaigns to strengthen public relations.
- Plan and deliver events, including VIP visits, service openings, and staff engagement activities, ensuring they are well-organised and align with the Trusts communication objectives.
- Oversee the communications email inbox, ensuring enquiries are handled promptly and appropriately. Provide guidance to colleagues and escalate issues where necessary.
- Focus on human interest stories, identifying and promoting compelling stories from across the Trust. Share these through press releases, social media, and other internal and external communication channels to build engagement and reputation.
- Plan and manage key campaigns, including preparing, managing, and evaluating plans with project teams to meet their objectives. Coordinate campaign delivery and ensure projects remain within budget.
- Oversee internal communications, including managing staff communication channels such as newsletters, updates, and briefings to keep staff informed and engaged.
- Design, implement, and evaluate communication and engagement strategies to support the Trusts overall goals and communication plans.
- Provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on communication issues. Write clear and effective copy on their behalf when required.
- Lead and support communications colleagues, motivating and advising them to deliver high-quality outputs. Manage the Assistant Communications Officer and oversee their development and contributions.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and partners, building and maintaining effective working relationships to support integrated communications and shared goals.
- Conduct research and evaluation to inform communication priorities, monitor effectiveness, and improve strategies in line with evidence-based practices.
- Produce and implement comprehensive communications plans, introducing new communication initiatives aligned with best practice and legislation as required.
- Identify and promote good news stories internally and externally to enhance the Trusts reputation. Share these through a variety of communication platforms.
- Write engaging and effective content for press releases, newsletters, staff communications, and social media campaigns tailored to diverse audiences.
- Coordinate and promote staff and manager briefings and other engagement initiatives to improve communication and collaboration within the Trust.
- Manage video and photography production, ensuring high-quality outputs that align with communication goals and Trust standards.
- Respond to communication queries received by the team from internal colleagues and external partners, providing timely and helpful support.
General duties:
1. Support the team in the production and distribution of high quality print/online publications. This may include sourcing copy and images, writing copy, proof reading, liaising with external suppliers and distributing materials.
2. Contribute to monitoring the Communications and Engagements team email inbox and telephone line, helping to progress enquiries efficiently and professionally.
3. Represent the Communications and Engagement team at internal and external meetings.
4. Undertake general administration tasks such as raising purchase orders and updating databases.
5. To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality communications and engagement service.
Person Specification
Shortlisting criteria
Essential
- Proven experience of working in a communications role, including planning and delivering internal and external communication campaigns, managing digital platforms (e.g., websites and social media), and handling media enquiries.
- Demonstrated ability to write and edit high-quality, engaging, and persuasive content tailored to diverse audiences, including press releases, newsletters, and digital content.
- Evidence of managing communication projects or campaigns, including evaluating outcomes, and overseeing event delivery such as VIP visits, service openings, or staff engagement activities.
Person Specification
Shortlisting criteria
Essential
- Proven experience of working in a communications role, including planning and delivering internal and external communication campaigns, managing digital platforms (e.g., websites and social media), and handling media enquiries.
- Demonstrated ability to write and edit high-quality, engaging, and persuasive content tailored to diverse audiences, including press releases, newsletters, and digital content.
- Evidence of managing communication projects or campaigns, including evaluating outcomes, and overseeing event delivery such as VIP visits, service openings, or staff engagement activities.
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).
