Job summary
Communications and Engagement Specialist - Maternity Cover
Department Communications
Band 6 £37,338 - £44,962 Per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an experienced internal communications expert who is used to working in fast-paced, complex environments? Do you have a passion for informing, engaging, supporting and inspiring hard-working NHS colleagues, and the skills needed to reach them?
If so, we have the role for you. Our small, friendly and supportive Communications Team is seeking a Communications and Engagement Specialist on a 12m FTC starting October 2025 for maternity cover.
Within this role, you will be responsible for the internal communications channels, manage the end-to-end process for internal events, plan content and be involved in our strategic framework including identifying savings efficiencies. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to create content for the Chief Executive Officer that inspire our staff.
For more information, and contact Bernadette.ahmed@mkuh.nhs.uk to discuss the role further.
Interview w/c 28 July 2025
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will work as part of a team that is responsible for delivering communications and engagement activities that inform, inspire and engage external stakeholders and colleagues of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
This role will suit an experienced, creative person who can produce a wide range of accurate, on-brand content for both internal and external channels at pace, and also take the lead on managing external digital channels like websites and social media.
About us
'6.43% of this staff group feel they are supported at work under the 'safe and healthy' element.' (NHS Staff Survey 2024).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Content Creation Produce a wide range of content and assets for internal and external communications channels Maintain brand standards at all times Undertake videography, audio recordings and photography Own and embed Brand Guidelines across the Trust Establish and manage a comprehensive content / asset library including consents Establish a suite of repeatable formats/templates
External Communications Manage the Trusts social media presence including planning, producing and posting content, monitoring and engaging with communities, measurement and optimisation Manage the Trusts website Issue media releases and follow up with journalists to secure coverage Put external channels in service of strategic objectives including the promotion of recruitment opportunities, improved patient experience and city-wide engagement
Internal Communications Support colleagues at busy times with events and communications
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Content Creation Produce a wide range of content and assets for internal and external communications channels Maintain brand standards at all times Undertake videography, audio recordings and photography Own and embed Brand Guidelines across the Trust Establish and manage a comprehensive content / asset library including consents Establish a suite of repeatable formats/templates
External Communications Manage the Trusts social media presence including planning, producing and posting content, monitoring and engaging with communities, measurement and optimisation Manage the Trusts website Issue media releases and follow up with journalists to secure coverage Put external channels in service of strategic objectives including the promotion of recruitment opportunities, improved patient experience and city-wide engagement
Internal Communications Support colleagues at busy times with events and communications
Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Qualified to degree level or hold equivalent relevant experience
- Experience in external communications including social media and website management and best practice
- Experience in content creation including photography, videography, graphic design and animation
Desirable
- Understanding and experience of managing brand guidelines and house style
Experience
Essential
- Experience of using design software, including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Canva
- Experience of photography, animation and videography
- Experience of taking complex concepts and producing clear collateral / comms e.g. newsletters, leaflets, posters, reports, guidance
- Experience of using online tools, e.g. content management systems and social media management tools
- Experience of managing and optimising social media and websites
- Experience of setting up and managing asset/image libraries
- Experience of producing templates/repeatable formats
- Experience of embedding brand principles in an organisation
Skills
Essential
- oExcellent IT skills
- oExcellent communication skills, with a focus on visual communications
- oWillingness to use own initiative
- oWell-developed organisational skills
- oExcellent people skills
- oExcellent prioritising skills, with the ability to manage a changing workload and manage expectations of delivery accordingly
- oDeals with complex, changing information
- oAbility to conceptualise and produce engaging and creative content across multiple platforms
- oAbility to analyse incoming information and compare a range of options to make recommendations as to the best communications approach
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to personal development
- Commitment to developing new ways of working and contributing to the development of protocols
- Ability to work quickly to a high standard
- Flexibility and willingness to try new ways of working
- Creative approach to problem-solving
- Enthusiastic manner
- Excellent personal presentation
Communication and Engagement
Essential
- Efficient at managing high volumes of email and briefs
- Able to represent the organisation effectively
- Able to engage senior managers in the development of campaigns and events to ensure they deliver the organisation's objectives
- Able to influence, motivate and persuade stakeholders using effective communications
Desirable
- Able to brief journalists and manage ongoing relationships with media to ensure fair and positive coverage of the organisation
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Qualified to degree level or hold equivalent relevant experience
- Experience in external communications including social media and website management and best practice
- Experience in content creation including photography, videography, graphic design and animation
Desirable
- Understanding and experience of managing brand guidelines and house style
Experience
Essential
- Experience of using design software, including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Canva
- Experience of photography, animation and videography
- Experience of taking complex concepts and producing clear collateral / comms e.g. newsletters, leaflets, posters, reports, guidance
- Experience of using online tools, e.g. content management systems and social media management tools
- Experience of managing and optimising social media and websites
- Experience of setting up and managing asset/image libraries
- Experience of producing templates/repeatable formats
- Experience of embedding brand principles in an organisation
Skills
Essential
- oExcellent IT skills
- oExcellent communication skills, with a focus on visual communications
- oWillingness to use own initiative
- oWell-developed organisational skills
- oExcellent people skills
- oExcellent prioritising skills, with the ability to manage a changing workload and manage expectations of delivery accordingly
- oDeals with complex, changing information
- oAbility to conceptualise and produce engaging and creative content across multiple platforms
- oAbility to analyse incoming information and compare a range of options to make recommendations as to the best communications approach
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to personal development
- Commitment to developing new ways of working and contributing to the development of protocols
- Ability to work quickly to a high standard
- Flexibility and willingness to try new ways of working
- Creative approach to problem-solving
- Enthusiastic manner
- Excellent personal presentation
Communication and Engagement
Essential
- Efficient at managing high volumes of email and briefs
- Able to represent the organisation effectively
- Able to engage senior managers in the development of campaigns and events to ensure they deliver the organisation's objectives
- Able to influence, motivate and persuade stakeholders using effective communications
Desirable
- Able to brief journalists and manage ongoing relationships with media to ensure fair and positive coverage of the 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.
