Job responsibilities
The Communications Team at UHMBT plays a key role in managing the Trusts reputation and communicating and engaging with stakeholders. It works in a busy and challenging environment, and is responsible for internal and external communications, including stakeholder management, media and social media relations, crisis and issues management, public awareness campaigns, and the management of corporate identity, staff communications, and online communications.
The Internal Communications Officer will embed a proactive approach to communications, seeking to engage external and internal stakeholders in two-way communications, promoting UHMBTs achievements and values.
This role will be the teams lead for internal communications but will also play a key role in supporting the teams other communications activities, including media relations.
The development and delivery of communications plans and project based assignments to support UHMBTs activities is an essential part of this role.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Communications Officer will liaise with diverse audiences and stakeholders, including the media, Trust staff, patients, their families and representatives, Staff Side representatives, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, NHS England / NHS Improvement, MPs, charity and community groups, and the general public.
MAIN DUTIES
The post holder will:
- Champion internal communications and provide a high standard of advice and guidance to colleagues.
- Support the wider team in all other areas of communications activities where required, including media relations.
- Proactively seek out opportunities and information to ensure their knowledge is up to date and assist the Trust to make the best use of existing and emerging technology in relation to communications.
- Be required to undertake an element of graphic design, document production and digital photo processing.
- Manage own workload prioritising where necessary.
- Project a professional image of Communications and the Trust at all times abiding by established policies and procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality in relation to sensitive matters being dealt within the communications department and shows respect and understanding when communicating (in all forms).
KEY TASKS
- Leading on specific campaigns and producing creative and innovative ideas and solutions to delivering the message. This may include the formal briefing of design/ external communication agencies.
- Leading on the planning, production and distribution of regular internal communications mechanisms, such as the Trusts weekly staff newsletter (Weekly News) and the monthly Team Talk for managers.
- Supporting the timely and accurate production and quality distribution of key internal
- Providing copy writing, editing and design assistance for Trust produced materials. This may require the use of specialist software packages such as Adobe Acrobat Professional and Adobe
- When requested, taking an active part in managing communications for events and other external communication activities.
- Representing the Trust at subject specific workshops and where necessary, present to an audience or delivering relevant training.
- Taking photographs to support internal and external materials, ensuring appropriate consent is obtained.
- Leading on providing internal communications support and advice for staff within the organisation and develop communications materials to support
- Providing advice and assistance on copywriting, editing and the use of appropriate language for staff when producing communication materials and to provide training if
- Using the Trusts multimedia facilities (including Video) to deliver communication
Media Relations
- Supporting the Communications Manager and Communications Officers to handle a wide range of media enquiries from journalists, and liaising with staff across the Trust to source answers to media enquiries
- Arranging media interviews and photo calls, supervising journalists while they are on the Trusts premises, attending media events, and taking digital pictures for internal promotional use where required
- Assisting in writing briefings for senior managers/Trust Board/stakeholders
- Working closely with other agencies as required to ensure consistent and co-ordinated media handling
- Developing good relationships with the local media and proactively engaging local journalists
- Sourcing positive news stories within the Trust (including interviewing staff as required) and using own judgement to alert media though most appropriate means (i.e. press releases, feature material, verbal or written briefings, interviews, filming opportunities, press conferences)
- Ensuring any member of staff or patient participating in media opportunities is appropriately approached, informed and consent is given for participation, keeping patient confidentially paramount at all times
General communication functions
Working flexibly with colleagues in the Communications Team as required to:
- Contribute to web and intranet maintenance
- Support staff engagement and internal communication strategies
- Source and write material for Trust publications as required
- Perform admin duties to assist with day to day communication materials
- Design and deliver presentations to audiences (internal and external) on a variety of communication topics
- Support communications for the Trust in the event of a major incident as part of the emergency planning
- Assist with the organisation of meetings and events where appropriate, including the booking of external speakers, travel arrangements, collation of agendas, taking of minutes, distributing papers and attending events
- Ensure relevant invoices for communication activities are dealt with appropriately, recording spending and reporting this to the Head of Corporate Communications
- Develop a particular relationship with one of the Trusts Care Groups to ensure that major developments and services are appropriately represented in our communications and provide advice and support for intra-divisional communications
This job description is not exhaustive and will be reviewed and amended, with the post holder, when necessary.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Requirements
Essential
Desirable
Education and qualifications
Relevant degree or equivalent experience in communications, journalism, public relations or marketing.
Demonstrate a commitment to continual professional development.
CIPR or CIM recognised degree level qualification.
Project management qualification
Design and / or photography / photojournalism / videography
Member of CiPR and actively
working or willingness to work towards Accredited status
Experience
Demonstrable experience of delivering communications projects and campaigns
Writing content for intranet and internet sites
Experience of building relationship and working with the media
Experience of writing press releases and statements for the media
Developing and delivering effective communications in a wide range of channels
Managing and protecting house / organisation style and corporate identity / image
Experience of working in a communications / PR team in the NHS, or journalism
Working in a multi-site / location acute hospital
Experience of handling media
relations for sensitive or high- profile issues
Experience of writing briefings for senior leaders and stakeholders
Experience of delivering and promoting effective recognition schemes or events
Skills, ability and knowledge
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Proactively seek out projects that can benefit from communications support
Design and print management and briefing of photographers, graphic designers and printers
High level of IT and advanced keyboard skills including use of Microsoft Office and Outlook, designing publications, presentations and processing documents
The ability to write effectively and communicate complex information to
a range of different audiences in the most appropriate style.
Ability to layout newsletters, leaflets and documents for maximum effect
Advanced user of Microsoft Office packages, at least Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher,and Microsoft Excel
The ability to brief designers and printers.
The skills and confidence to build effective relationships
Good understanding and knowledge of key issues facing the NHS, particularly the Acute sector
Photography and/ or design skills of producing communications utilizing videography skills and knowledge
Experience in crisis and issues management
Working knowledge of Microsoft Sharepoint
Good understanding of the current and future NHS agenda
Knowledge of how to manage a content management systems
Personal Qualities
Confident and calm under pressure
The ability to work to tight deadlines and juggle priorities.
Motivated, helpful and approachable
Forward thinking, innovative, creative and enthusiastic
Effective organiser, influencer and networker
Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Demonstrates honesty and integrity and promotes organisational values
Ability to travel between sites
