Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Communications Manager

The closing date is 28 September 2025

Job summary

The post holder will work with the Communications Director and wider communications team to develop and sustain an effective communications service for Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).

Main duties of the job

Day-to-day management including planning and allocation of resources and tasks.

Lead in the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of communications campaigns. This includes managing budgets and schedules, and external contractors and suppliers as required.Commission, write and edit complex internal and external communications materials including reports, articles, media releases, statements and information products.

Develop and maintain knowledge of all the Trust's communication systems and platforms, including social media, continuously measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of those channels.

Work in partnership with colleagues from teams across the Trust, and where appropriate external partner organisations, to deliver communication plans and projects to deadline.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

o Season Ticket Loans

o NHS discounts for staff

o Excellent Training facilities and opportunities

o Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

o The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas

o Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work

o Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

364-A-9345

Job locations

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell

SS11 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilitiesDay-to-day management including planning and allocation of resources and tasks.Lead in the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of communications campaigns. This includes managing budgets and schedules, and external contractors and suppliers as required.Commission, write and edit complex internal and external communications materials including reports, articles, media releases, statements and information products.Develop and maintain knowledge of all the Trusts communication systems and platforms, including social media, continuously measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of those channels.Work in partnership with colleagues from teams across the Trust, and where appropriate external partner organisations, to deliver communication plans and projects to deadline.Ensure consistency in use of the Trusts corporate image and style, in line with NHS branding guidelines.Provide advice and support to staff including directors, senior managers and clinical colleagues across the Trust, and other organisations, on specific communications issues.Train colleagues in use of communications tools and channels including systems.Participate in the out-of-hours on call communications function for the Trust, as neededProvide support across the wider Communications Team as required, including dealing with reactive media enquiries and contributing to Trust wide communications channels, tactics and collateral

Financial managementTo monitor the budget for the functions within portfolio and to ensure expenditure is contained within budget limitsTo authorise use of credit card for agreed areas of spendTo act as an Authorised Signatory for financial paymentsTo maintain financial commitment and spending records in line with audit requirements.

Communication and working relationshipsThe post holder will be required to develop successful working relationships at all levels of the organisation and with key external contacts such as, for example other members of relevant networks, colleagues in commissioning and regulatory organisations and journalists.The post holder will act as communications lead during times of difficult organisational change and complex situations.The post holder will be required to convey sensitive and complex information relating to all areas of the organisations operations and strategy.

Information and systemsTo ensure team input in an appropriate, timely and precise manner to e-roster and other staff record systems.To ensure data held within communications management systems and databases is accurate and handled in line with relevant legislation and policies.

Additional dutiesIn addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and proceduresTo keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policyTo provide management supervision where appropriate

Ensure consistency in use of the Trusts corporate image and style, in line with NHS branding guidelines.Provide advice and support to staff including directors, senior managers and clinical colleagues across the Trust, and other organisations, on specific communications issues.Train colleagues in use of communications tools and channels including systems.Participate in the out-of-hours on call communications function for the Trust, as neededProvide support across the wider Communications Team as required, including dealing with reactive media enquiries and contributing to Trust wide communications channels, tactics and collateral.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilitiesDay-to-day management including planning and allocation of resources and tasks.Lead in the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of communications campaigns. This includes managing budgets and schedules, and external contractors and suppliers as required.Commission, write and edit complex internal and external communications materials including reports, articles, media releases, statements and information products.Develop and maintain knowledge of all the Trusts communication systems and platforms, including social media, continuously measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of those channels.Work in partnership with colleagues from teams across the Trust, and where appropriate external partner organisations, to deliver communication plans and projects to deadline.Ensure consistency in use of the Trusts corporate image and style, in line with NHS branding guidelines.Provide advice and support to staff including directors, senior managers and clinical colleagues across the Trust, and other organisations, on specific communications issues.Train colleagues in use of communications tools and channels including systems.Participate in the out-of-hours on call communications function for the Trust, as neededProvide support across the wider Communications Team as required, including dealing with reactive media enquiries and contributing to Trust wide communications channels, tactics and collateral

Financial managementTo monitor the budget for the functions within portfolio and to ensure expenditure is contained within budget limitsTo authorise use of credit card for agreed areas of spendTo act as an Authorised Signatory for financial paymentsTo maintain financial commitment and spending records in line with audit requirements.

Communication and working relationshipsThe post holder will be required to develop successful working relationships at all levels of the organisation and with key external contacts such as, for example other members of relevant networks, colleagues in commissioning and regulatory organisations and journalists.The post holder will act as communications lead during times of difficult organisational change and complex situations.The post holder will be required to convey sensitive and complex information relating to all areas of the organisations operations and strategy.

Information and systemsTo ensure team input in an appropriate, timely and precise manner to e-roster and other staff record systems.To ensure data held within communications management systems and databases is accurate and handled in line with relevant legislation and policies.

Additional dutiesIn addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role;Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and proceduresTo keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policyTo provide management supervision where appropriate

Ensure consistency in use of the Trusts corporate image and style, in line with NHS branding guidelines.Provide advice and support to staff including directors, senior managers and clinical colleagues across the Trust, and other organisations, on specific communications issues.Train colleagues in use of communications tools and channels including systems.Participate in the out-of-hours on call communications function for the Trust, as neededProvide support across the wider Communications Team as required, including dealing with reactive media enquiries and contributing to Trust wide communications channels, tactics and collateral.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Devising and executing successful communication strategies and plans through understanding of internal communications and effective methods
  • Experience of media relations, copywriting for a variety of media including press releases, newsletters and websites

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive management within a communications department

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in the NHS, public sector or a membership organisation
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Devising and executing successful communication strategies and plans through understanding of internal communications and effective methods
  • Experience of media relations, copywriting for a variety of media including press releases, newsletters and websites

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive management within a communications department

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in the NHS, public sector or a membership organisation

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell

SS11 7XX


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Communications

Kim Russell

kim.russell8@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

364-A-9345

Job locations

The Lodge

Lodge Approach

Runwell

SS11 7XX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)