Job summary
To provide a wide ranging communications and public relations management role. To work closely with the Group Head of Communications in support of the Trust's aims and objectives, both internally and externally, assist in the implementation of the Trust wide communications strategy and ensure that the reputation of the Trust is protected.
Shortlisting date is planned for 8 October 2024
Interview date is planned for 15 October 2024
Main duties of the job
1. Lead on internal and external communication campaigns.2. Lead on aspects of internal/external communications issues relating to the Trust, as directed by the Group Head of Communications.3. Assist members of the senior management team, attend meetings, and take action resulting from such.4. Liaise with communications leads, representatives, and stakeholders of other trusts.5. Participate in the promotion and support of corporate and strategic events, i.e. Star Awards, International Nurses Day, as and when required.6. Contribute to the day to day running of the Communications department to ensure it operates efficiently and assist with routine duties within the department when required to cope with exceptional workload/holidays/sickness absence.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Lead on internal and external communication campaigns.2. Lead on aspects of internal/external communications issues relating to the Trust, as directed by the Group Head of Communications.3. Assist members of the senior management team, attend meetings, and take action resulting from such.4. Liaise with communications leads, representatives, and stakeholders of other trusts.5. Participate in the promotion and support of corporate and strategic events, i.e. Star Awards, International Nurses Day, as and when required.6. Contribute to the day to day running of the Communications department to ensure it operates efficiently and assist with routine duties within the department when required to cope with exceptional workload/holidays/sickness absence.7. Contribute to raising the profile of the Trust with regular positive news items.8. Identify and follow up positive news stories or good practice for Trust publications or external media in liaison with colleagues.9. Write press releases and assist with press statements. Advise and brief colleagues on media handling issues and enquiries and assist with media training for staff when required.10. Assist in monitoring the media and informing relevant staff as required.11. Lead on the compilation and publication of the Trust stakeholder magazine and contribute information for staff newsletters.12. Participate in the production of information/leaflets by providing professional advice.13. Ensure NHS and Mersey Care branding and corporate standards of communication are maintained in published information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Lead on internal and external communication campaigns.2. Lead on aspects of internal/external communications issues relating to the Trust, as directed by the Group Head of Communications.3. Assist members of the senior management team, attend meetings, and take action resulting from such.4. Liaise with communications leads, representatives, and stakeholders of other trusts.5. Participate in the promotion and support of corporate and strategic events, i.e. Star Awards, International Nurses Day, as and when required.6. Contribute to the day to day running of the Communications department to ensure it operates efficiently and assist with routine duties within the department when required to cope with exceptional workload/holidays/sickness absence.7. Contribute to raising the profile of the Trust with regular positive news items.8. Identify and follow up positive news stories or good practice for Trust publications or external media in liaison with colleagues.9. Write press releases and assist with press statements. Advise and brief colleagues on media handling issues and enquiries and assist with media training for staff when required.10. Assist in monitoring the media and informing relevant staff as required.11. Lead on the compilation and publication of the Trust stakeholder magazine and contribute information for staff newsletters.12. Participate in the production of information/leaflets by providing professional advice.13. Ensure NHS and Mersey Care branding and corporate standards of communication are maintained in published information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree e.g., English/Journalism/Business Studies or equivalent on the job experience
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Understanding of working with a wide range of staff and service users
- Minimum of three years public relations experience at senior level
- Track record of producing interesting and imaginative internal and external communications
- Extensive IT knowledge including: MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of NHS
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS trust issues
- Experience of working in or with the NHS in a communications or similar role
- Background in journalism
Skills
Essential
- A demonstrated understanding of Equality and Human Rights
- Social media skills
- High standard of written/verbal and presentation skills
- Ability to handle confidential, sensitive, and complex information appropriately
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work as part of a team
VALUES
Essential
- Continuous improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant degree e.g., English/Journalism/Business Studies or equivalent on the job experience
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Understanding of working with a wide range of staff and service users
- Minimum of three years public relations experience at senior level
- Track record of producing interesting and imaginative internal and external communications
- Extensive IT knowledge including: MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of NHS
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS trust issues
- Experience of working in or with the NHS in a communications or similar role
- Background in journalism
Skills
Essential
- A demonstrated understanding of Equality and Human Rights
- Social media skills
- High standard of written/verbal and presentation skills
- Ability to handle confidential, sensitive, and complex information appropriately
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to work as part of a team
VALUES
Essential
- Continuous improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
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.
