Job summary
The role of Communications Manager is a fast-paced and challenging one, working in one of the five biggest NHS Trusts in the country.You will be part of a creative, friendly and passionate team, playing a vital role in the delivery of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust's vision to be 'leading in healthcare, trusted in communities'.
With a strong focus on building and maintaining our internal relationships and delivering our business-as-usual communications service, the role will support a number of key campaigns and projects.
This post is critical in ensuring we deliver effective, high-quality communications that benefits our patients, colleagues and communities.You can be sure your work with us will contribute to the delivery of high-quality care, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence.
Main duties of the job
As Communications Manager, you will line manage communications officers and a communications assistant. Together you will help to translate client asks into creative ideas and effective communications, both internally and externally.
The post holder will be required to deputise for the Head of Communications - Content and Channels, in their absence. This will include day-to-day management of direct reports and handling of communications across internal, external and digital communications.
The successful candidate will have experience in taking the lead on projects and be able to deliver stand-alone communications and campaigns from start to end. A strong communicator, you will be able to act as an adviser to colleagues across the Trust and have experience being the communications representative at a variety of multi-agency meetings.
As we are a busy hospital Trust, an understanding of crisis management and an ability to work effectively under pressure is desirable.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities. Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve. About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Full details of the job can be found in the attached job description.
We communicate daily with a wide range of audiences including more than 17,000 colleagues, over one million patients, local and national broadcast and print media, local GPs, other NHS organisations and a wide range of stakeholders. We manage all official communications, PR, social media, website and intranet activity for the Trust.
The communications and engagement department also has a specialist medical illustration team that provide design and photography services to our many clinical areas, and a patient and community engagement team. Together we are responsible for the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) agenda, along with the management of the Trusts patient partners and public members. Key responsibilities in this role.
Communication consultancy advise on and use internal and external communications channels, with a key focus on digital, to cascade and promote corporate messages to ensure the integrity of our channels is maintained and that our delivery standards are protected.
Good news - work with internal stakeholders to source and develop good news stories and ensure that achievements, investment and excellence receive suitable external and internal publicity.
Campaigns lead on the development and delivery of internal and external campaigns using insight and strong creative to ensure our campaigns reach and resonate with the right people to enhance the reputation of our Trust.
Evaluation measure reach, impact and return-on-investment through quantitative and qualitative methods to inform future strategies and support with internal reporting.
People management day-to-day line management of Communications Officers and Communications Assistant, providing mentorship, advice and support to ensure they in turn effectively lead their own areas of responsibility, acting as an effective role model and ensuring that all aspects of performance, attendance, sickness absence, training and appraisal are addressed in accordance with Trust Policy.
Project Management - Work closely with the Head of Communications to ensure the workflow of communications activities are effectively managed and supported.
Publications - source and write copy appropriate to our channels. This will involve researching content, interviewing staff, drafting and editing copy, seeking the necessary approvals, proof-reading and where necessary, taking photographs.
Events management - support the Deputy Director of Communications and Head of Communications in organising and producing on site and virtual events, ensuring that relevant staff are fully briefed in order that messages land clearly and are understood. On call service - Take part in an out-of-hours on-call rota to provide the Trust with 24/7 communications support.
Work as part of the communications team to assist in dealing with adverse events and major incidents, in and out of hours.
(Please refer to the job description/person specification for further details on the role)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Full details of the job can be found in the attached job description.
We communicate daily with a wide range of audiences including more than 17,000 colleagues, over one million patients, local and national broadcast and print media, local GPs, other NHS organisations and a wide range of stakeholders. We manage all official communications, PR, social media, website and intranet activity for the Trust.
The communications and engagement department also has a specialist medical illustration team that provide design and photography services to our many clinical areas, and a patient and community engagement team. Together we are responsible for the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) agenda, along with the management of the Trusts patient partners and public members. Key responsibilities in this role.
Communication consultancy advise on and use internal and external communications channels, with a key focus on digital, to cascade and promote corporate messages to ensure the integrity of our channels is maintained and that our delivery standards are protected.
Good news - work with internal stakeholders to source and develop good news stories and ensure that achievements, investment and excellence receive suitable external and internal publicity.
Campaigns lead on the development and delivery of internal and external campaigns using insight and strong creative to ensure our campaigns reach and resonate with the right people to enhance the reputation of our Trust.
Evaluation measure reach, impact and return-on-investment through quantitative and qualitative methods to inform future strategies and support with internal reporting.
People management day-to-day line management of Communications Officers and Communications Assistant, providing mentorship, advice and support to ensure they in turn effectively lead their own areas of responsibility, acting as an effective role model and ensuring that all aspects of performance, attendance, sickness absence, training and appraisal are addressed in accordance with Trust Policy.
Project Management - Work closely with the Head of Communications to ensure the workflow of communications activities are effectively managed and supported.
Publications - source and write copy appropriate to our channels. This will involve researching content, interviewing staff, drafting and editing copy, seeking the necessary approvals, proof-reading and where necessary, taking photographs.
Events management - support the Deputy Director of Communications and Head of Communications in organising and producing on site and virtual events, ensuring that relevant staff are fully briefed in order that messages land clearly and are understood. On call service - Take part in an out-of-hours on-call rota to provide the Trust with 24/7 communications support.
Work as part of the communications team to assist in dealing with adverse events and major incidents, in and out of hours.
(Please refer to the job description/person specification for further details on the role)
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Post degree experience of 2 years or more in communications/marketing
- Positive attitude towards learning and development with a record of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, or working towards this standard
- Membership of professional body
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
- Ability to prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines
- Excellent IT skills, including ability to use desktop publishing software and content management systems. Must have advanced M365 skills.
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to research subject matter to produce engaging articles for staff, volunteers, media, public and external stakeholders
- Proven planning and organisational skills, and proven ability to work effectively at pace and under pressure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of a broad range of communications and engagement disciplines including internal communications, media management, stakeholder management, campaign development and evaluation, use of social media and public relations.
- Use of CMS systems for websites and intranets, and ESPs for email communications and confidence in using them.
- Confidence in using design and video software to create high-quality assets.
- Managing and motivating staff and teams.
- Developing communication plans and delivering them, including short-notice changes.
- Managing the reputations of senior managers and organisations.
- Drafting briefing papers and correspondence at senior level.
- Excellent knowledge of how communication techniques are evolving and ability to use this information to continually transform Trust
- Creative individual who keeps up to date with latest trends to help keep communications effective and current
- Experience of working in a customer/client facing environment
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience (or demonstrable appreciation) of the challenges facing public sector
- Demonstrated experience in a healthcare/ NHS environment
- Crisis management experience/ Experience of managing or supporting the communications and media management of major incidents.
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident and able to establish credibility quickly at all levels of the organisation
- Able to influence and interact with a diverse customer group
- oExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work with staff from across the organisation at all levels, along with managers from the wider organisation
- oAbility to be compassionate, inclusive and accountable, and lead staff, partners and other stakeholders
- oAbility to manage confrontational situations and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- oAbility to translate often complex documents into 'plain English' and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders.
- oA team player, with a flexible approach
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Able to analyse issues quickly and make decisions, especially when the organisation is responding to major incidents.
- Ability to interpret data, produce reports and draw out recommendations to improve internal and external engagement.
- Able to make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
Desirable
- Understanding of the public sector and awareness of the relevant social and political environments and impact on the health economy
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities as an employee and as a provider of service to the public
- Evidence of a solid understanding of patient confidentiality and the relevant aspects of libel law, the Freedom of Information Act, Equality Act and Data Protection Act.
- oAll staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Proactive, enthusiastic and well-motivated.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to give constructive feedback to support development of others.
- Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative at all times
- Demonstrate an understanding of commitment to customer care and quality of service
- Able to work under pressure and deliver results
- Ability to travel to other locations as required and attend Trust sites out of hours - only where necessary and appropriate
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Post degree experience of 2 years or more in communications/marketing
- Positive attitude towards learning and development with a record of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, or working towards this standard
- Membership of professional body
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
- Ability to prioritise own workload and work to tight deadlines
- Excellent IT skills, including ability to use desktop publishing software and content management systems. Must have advanced M365 skills.
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to research subject matter to produce engaging articles for staff, volunteers, media, public and external stakeholders
- Proven planning and organisational skills, and proven ability to work effectively at pace and under pressure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of a broad range of communications and engagement disciplines including internal communications, media management, stakeholder management, campaign development and evaluation, use of social media and public relations.
- Use of CMS systems for websites and intranets, and ESPs for email communications and confidence in using them.
- Confidence in using design and video software to create high-quality assets.
- Managing and motivating staff and teams.
- Developing communication plans and delivering them, including short-notice changes.
- Managing the reputations of senior managers and organisations.
- Drafting briefing papers and correspondence at senior level.
- Excellent knowledge of how communication techniques are evolving and ability to use this information to continually transform Trust
- Creative individual who keeps up to date with latest trends to help keep communications effective and current
- Experience of working in a customer/client facing environment
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience (or demonstrable appreciation) of the challenges facing public sector
- Demonstrated experience in a healthcare/ NHS environment
- Crisis management experience/ Experience of managing or supporting the communications and media management of major incidents.
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident and able to establish credibility quickly at all levels of the organisation
- Able to influence and interact with a diverse customer group
- oExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work with staff from across the organisation at all levels, along with managers from the wider organisation
- oAbility to be compassionate, inclusive and accountable, and lead staff, partners and other stakeholders
- oAbility to manage confrontational situations and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- oAbility to translate often complex documents into 'plain English' and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders.
- oA team player, with a flexible approach
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Able to analyse issues quickly and make decisions, especially when the organisation is responding to major incidents.
- Ability to interpret data, produce reports and draw out recommendations to improve internal and external engagement.
- Able to make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
Desirable
- Understanding of the public sector and awareness of the relevant social and political environments and impact on the health economy
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities as an employee and as a provider of service to the public
- Evidence of a solid understanding of patient confidentiality and the relevant aspects of libel law, the Freedom of Information Act, Equality Act and Data Protection Act.
- oAll staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Proactive, enthusiastic and well-motivated.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to give constructive feedback to support development of others.
- Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative at all times
- Demonstrate an understanding of commitment to customer care and quality of service
- Able to work under pressure and deliver results
- Ability to travel to other locations as required and attend Trust sites out of hours - only where necessary and appropriate
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).
