Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Communications Manager - External Affairs

The closing date is 11 July 2025

Job summary

We're looking for an experienced communications and engagement specialist to join our busy Communications team and help us to tell our story.

You'll use your professional expertise to provide trusted communications advice, build strong relationships, and manage complex and challenging issues.

You will bring your excellent skills in managing channels developing content to meaningfully engage with colleagues at all levels and across disciplines.

Keen to learn and develop new ways of communicating, you will get creative when producing impactful campaigns that help us showcase the great work happening across our Trust and support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

No two days are ever the same in the NHS so being able to adapt is key - you'll need to be good at prioritising as well as working collaboratively as part of our close-knit team of multi-talented communication professionals.

This is a cross-site role - you will be based at one of our main hospital sites but will need to be able work flexibly across each of our sites.

Part time / Flexible working will be considered for the right applicant.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, the Communications Manager will play a lead role in ensuring that our stakeholders are engaged and involved in the Trust's vision, strategy and objectives, and will support managers in effective briefings, visits and opportunities to engage.

The post holder is expected to work with senior managers and clinicians, and leverage specialist external communications expertise in terms of making decisions around running communications campaigns and responding to key stakeholder groups around sensitive or complex issues.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.'

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

390-COR-SO-0476-A

Job locations

MSE

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Other

Essential

Ability to travel independently between hospitals sites and external venues using private or public transport

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level in related area management (communications, PR, marketing, journalism), equivalent qualification or equivalent. experience.
Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge.
Evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working as part of a busy team
Proven experience of developing, implementing and evaluating internal communications strategies / plans / activities
Experience of providing specialist external communications advice and making decisions on responding to communications requests on complex, sensitive or high-profile issues
Strong written skills, evidenced throughout application form and previous experience of drafting internal articles, features and content for a range of audiences

Person Specification

Other

Essential

Ability to travel independently between hospitals sites and external venues using private or public transport

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level in related area management (communications, PR, marketing, journalism), equivalent qualification or equivalent. experience.
Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge.
Evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working as part of a busy team
Proven experience of developing, implementing and evaluating internal communications strategies / plans / activities
Experience of providing specialist external communications advice and making decisions on responding to communications requests on complex, sensitive or high-profile issues
Strong written skills, evidenced throughout application form and previous experience of drafting internal articles, features and content for a range of audiences

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

MSE

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

MSE

Basildon

SS16 5NL

Employer's website

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