Job summary
We have an opportunity for a Senior Communications Officer to join our creative, proactive and supportive team, covering maternity leave.
As an experienced communicator you'll thrive off planning and creating engaging content for our internal and external audiences, especially via the media. We're looking for someone who can bring fresh and creative ideas for working with the press to showcase what makes the RUH special, in line with our organisational priorities and values.
We're at a really exciting time for the RUH. Later this year we'll be opening our brand new Dyson Cancer Centre, we're in the early days of introducing our new vision - The RUH, where you matter - and of course it's the 75th birthday of the NHS this summer. In addition, you'll play a really important part in helping us shape our media strategy going forward.
What do we offer?
We enjoy a forward-thinking and collaborative working environment. We're always open to trying new things, with ambitions to lead the way in what NHS communications looks like.
We offer opportunities to learn from others in the team as well as external learning and development.
The role is based at the hospital but with opportunities to work from home on occasion, subject to the needs of the team.
Main duties of the job
What is a day at work like?
A typical day could include identifying and setting up attractive media opportunities, scripting and filming informative staff video updates from our Executive team, linking with senior staff to respond swiftly to questions from the press, and collaborating with others in the team to plan our next creative campaigns.
Your core channels will include press releases, written and video staff briefings, our staff social network and external social media. But, you'll also lend your expertise to planning what's next for our channels, with ideas for how else we should be reaching the people in our community.
You will be organised, able to turn complex information into clear messages, and enjoy juggling a lively variety of topics and channels throughout the day. You'll be skilled at building relationships, working with everyone from the Chief Executive to our busy colleagues in wards and support services.
About us
At the RUH we're proud to put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone's contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.
We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks - celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.
A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.
We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We've even got a pool!
We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath, learn about our extensive package of staff benefits, and read about how we're providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Achieved qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations/Marketing (CIPR/CIM)
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in communications in a large and complex organisation
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of producing a wide range of written information tailored to different audiences and communications channels, which adhere to brand guidelines and best practice
- Significant experience of working with the media
- Experience of using social media in a professional capacity
- Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and processes
- Experience of dealing with sensitive information and an understanding of patient confidentiality
Skills
Essential
- Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and processes
- Excellent IT skills and experience of designing publications, presentations and documents
- Experience of photography and editing
- Able to work to tight deadlines whilst delivering excellent results
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and forge positive working relationships with people at all levels from different organisations
- Able to quickly understand issues and communicate them effectively
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills and ability to persuade and advise others on appropriate communications approach and responses
- Able to manage own workload and act independently
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent knowledge of communications and PR techniques and procedures and an interest in the PR and communications profession and best practice
- Broad understanding of the issues currently affecting the NHS and the Trust
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Achieved qualification or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD
Desirable
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations/Marketing (CIPR/CIM)
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in communications in a large and complex organisation
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of producing a wide range of written information tailored to different audiences and communications channels, which adhere to brand guidelines and best practice
- Significant experience of working with the media
- Experience of using social media in a professional capacity
- Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and processes
- Experience of dealing with sensitive information and an understanding of patient confidentiality
Skills
Essential
- Experience of setting up and maintaining office systems and processes
- Excellent IT skills and experience of designing publications, presentations and documents
- Experience of photography and editing
- Able to work to tight deadlines whilst delivering excellent results
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and forge positive working relationships with people at all levels from different organisations
- Able to quickly understand issues and communicate them effectively
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills and ability to persuade and advise others on appropriate communications approach and responses
- Able to manage own workload and act independently
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent knowledge of communications and PR techniques and procedures and an interest in the PR and communications profession and best practice
- Broad understanding of the issues currently affecting the NHS and the Trust
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).
