Job summary
This
is a fixed term contract until December 2026.
Are
you a highly organised and enthusiastic communications professional looking
for a challenging and rewarding role?
We
are seeking a proactive and versatile Communications Officer to work across
the NIHR Academy and NIHR Corporate Communications Team.
This
unique role offers the chance to manage essential business as usual
communications and engagement support, while contributing to key strategic
projects that enhance the NIHR's presence and impact.
Whilst
the job description refers to specific press office responsibilities, the
focus of this will focus on internal communications.
Expected Shortlisting
Date
09/01/2026
Planned Interview
Date
19/01/2026
Main duties of the job
As
a Communications Officer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the vital
work of the NIHR Academy and the wider NIHR Corporate Team is communicated
effectively, both internally and externally. This will include:
- Creating
accurate and engaging content for the NIHR website and intranet, and
coordinating the build and distribution of newsletters and emails.
- Providing
support for the planning and delivery of events, including the Academy
Members Conference and webinars.
- Supporting
in material management and travel booking.
- Monitoring
and responding to queries in central communications inboxes.
- Contributing
to the development and delivery of key strategic projects, such as the
creation and distribution of new digital assets, the maintenance of the
Senior Investigators Directory, and the new intranet platform.
- As
a member of the Internal Communications Delivery Team - delivering support
for wider-NIHR central internal communications, keeping colleagues informed
in accessible, timely and engaging ways.
About us
The
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to
improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays
a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers
and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research
facilities and a skilled research workforce.
This
role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the
work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of
academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and
the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- To
work as a member of the Communications, Involvement and Development Team,
ensuring the effective communication of key messages
- Provide
support to the Communications Manager and Assistant Communications Manager in
delivering the NIHR Academys communication and engagement strategy
- Provide
back-up support for the Communications Assistant role to undertake
administrative tasks for the Communications, Involvement and Development team
- Provide
training in communications processes to other colleagues across the office
Social
& digital media:
- Monitoring,
analysing, evaluating and enhancing digital media channels including social
media, intranet and the website
- Working
closely with the Assistant Communications Manager to ensure corporate
and operational messaging is
communicated promptly, accurately and effectively via digital media channels
- Lead
on the design of social media and web-based campaigns, as directed by the
Assistant Communications Manager
- Supporting
the NIHR Academys webinar programme
- Lead
on the NIHR Academy Executive Intranet
Communications
and Printed materials
- To
research, coordinate, create and publish content for communications for a
variety of audiences and media channels
- Manage
the production of materials by external suppliers including designers and
printers
- Deal
with all contacts in a courteous and professional manner and will need to
develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of
contacts.
- Comment
on policies developed within the Communications team, making suggestions
where requested
- Measurement
and evaluation of campaigns
Events
and campaigns
- Assist
with the production of publicity and other material (written and digital) in
support of events and campaigns, including supporting with planning and
organisation.
- Support
NIHR Academy events and campaigns to ensure all activities are carried out
professionally
- Evaluate
and analyse events, as well as identify event opportunities
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- To
work as a member of the Communications, Involvement and Development Team,
ensuring the effective communication of key messages
- Provide
support to the Communications Manager and Assistant Communications Manager in
delivering the NIHR Academys communication and engagement strategy
- Provide
back-up support for the Communications Assistant role to undertake
administrative tasks for the Communications, Involvement and Development team
- Provide
training in communications processes to other colleagues across the office
Social
& digital media:
- Monitoring,
analysing, evaluating and enhancing digital media channels including social
media, intranet and the website
- Working
closely with the Assistant Communications Manager to ensure corporate
and operational messaging is
communicated promptly, accurately and effectively via digital media channels
- Lead
on the design of social media and web-based campaigns, as directed by the
Assistant Communications Manager
- Supporting
the NIHR Academys webinar programme
- Lead
on the NIHR Academy Executive Intranet
Communications
and Printed materials
- To
research, coordinate, create and publish content for communications for a
variety of audiences and media channels
- Manage
the production of materials by external suppliers including designers and
printers
- Deal
with all contacts in a courteous and professional manner and will need to
develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of
contacts.
- Comment
on policies developed within the Communications team, making suggestions
where requested
- Measurement
and evaluation of campaigns
Events
and campaigns
- Assist
with the production of publicity and other material (written and digital) in
support of events and campaigns, including supporting with planning and
organisation.
- Support
NIHR Academy events and campaigns to ensure all activities are carried out
professionally
- Evaluate
and analyse events, as well as identify event opportunities
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of effective communications and public relations techniques, together with strong writing skills
Desirable
- Experience within the NHS or other public sector
- Understands complexity of working within a healthcare organisation
- Familiar with the Google platform including Google Sites
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level (Communication, Marketing or PR related or able to demonstrate equivalent work experience)
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Is IT literate with good experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office
- There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings
- Able to travel around the county
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
- Digital media skills, including an ability to use a content management system and manage social media content
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team, yet also capable of working on own initiative
- Able to communicate with a variety of people and build effective relationships
- Able to work as an individual and prioritise own workload
- Is keen and able to work with minimal supervision
- Imaginative able to generate creative campaign ideas
- Ability to work closely with multiple stakeholders and influence outcomes to achieve priorities
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of effective communications and public relations techniques, together with strong writing skills
Desirable
- Experience within the NHS or other public sector
- Understands complexity of working within a healthcare organisation
- Familiar with the Google platform including Google Sites
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level (Communication, Marketing or PR related or able to demonstrate equivalent work experience)
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Is IT literate with good experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office
- There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings
- Able to travel around the county
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
- Digital media skills, including an ability to use a content management system and manage social media content
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team, yet also capable of working on own initiative
- Able to communicate with a variety of people and build effective relationships
- Able to work as an individual and prioritise own workload
- Is keen and able to work with minimal supervision
- Imaginative able to generate creative campaign ideas
- Ability to work closely with multiple stakeholders and influence outcomes to achieve priorities
