Joint Head of Digital Communications

Job responsibilities

Communication and Engagement

• Work with the Communications and Digital divisions in both Trusts to deliver the EPR, PAS replacement and digital transformation projects, including leading on all communications and engagement activity.
• Work with the Communications teams to deliver compelling digital storytelling, using cross-channel content so colleagues understand Trusts strategies and their role in them.
• To create, develop and deliver an inspiring corporate voice that reflects the values and aspirations of both Trusts through a range of channels including graphics, video, social media and photography.
• Lead the delivery of our digital communications channels, including the intranet and website, promoting two-way communication and engagement with colleagues and the public.
• Develop and implement a robust audit-based approach to digital communications, graphic design and multimedia, ensuring feedback and measures of success are evidenced and shared on a regular basis.
• Develop the use of multimedia content within both Trusts.
• Ensure accessibility regulations are adhered to on public-facing websites, imagery and statutory documentation posted on the website.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and a proven ability to develop strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, including presenting information in a persuasive and motivational way about projects and services to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in both formal and informal settings.
• The ability to create simple but compelling messages to a wide range of audiences from what might be highly complex and contentious information, bringing them to life in photos, videos and graphics.
• Support the enhancement of the reputation of the organisations, ensuring information published or circulated is accurate and fair.
• To advise on the continual improvement and appropriateness of digital channels across the organisation as well as suggesting ways of transforming more traditional and transactional process to deliver workplace efficiencies working alongside colleagues in all directorates in particular IT.
• Measure the impact and continuously improve our content and channels, ensuring new ideas in this area are reflected in a timely way.
• Utilising strong interpersonal skills, provide clear and consistent advice and guidance to influence organisational stakeholders around the best use, approach and channels for digital communication
• To provide professional expertise on specific areas of specialist legislation such as copyright, privacy, licensing and accessibility.
• Performance manage all digital communications and engagement activities by testing the impact of communications, evaluating its effectiveness, and by measuring/analysing particular events before and after.
• Provide challenge to colleagues on digital communications and engagement requirements, ensuring objectives are clear, appropriate and easily mapped to corporate and directorate aims, as well as to target audiences. To be proactive, positive and energetic in suggesting more appropriate or effective solutions.
• Proactively identify potentially negative or high-profile issues and provide a timely and full brief to the Joint Deputy Director or Joint Executive Director of Communications and other colleagues as they arise, including suggested actions.
• Use initiative and judgement skills which require the post holder to decide the best course of action in complex situations where a range of options exist.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take a proactive lead on complex digital communications projects and issues, including producing considered and appropriate plans to meet identified objectives and briefing colleagues where required, with both strategic, technical and tactical advice.
• Develop, plan and implement the communications strategy for the EPR programmes, delivering to the specified timelines as indicated by the wider EPR programme plan.
• Ensure communications and engagement activity is properly planned, evaluated and accessible to all using and promoting a common sense approach, simplicity and plain English across the Trust.
• To maintain a thorough understanding of all relevant guidance and legislation and make any appropriate changes and or recommendations as and when required.
• Attend internal/formal/public meetings on behalf of the Trusts and play an active part in discussions and suggesting solutions.
• To create appropriate policy and guidance for colleagues in the application and use of our digital communication channels.
• In addition, the post holder will be required to develop and implement digital communications strategies, proposing activities, projects and processes, which meet the needs of a diverse audience.
• Lead on the practical organisation of digital activity including user testing workshops and evaluation sessions
• Support the Communications Team to deliver coaching to colleagues at all levels about digital, multimedia, brand and graphic design effectively being the expert in this area.
• To effectively liaise with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with regard to policies, guidelines and maintaining records relevant to the post and the Communications and Engagement department
• Act as an ambassador for the Trusts with colleagues, patients, the public, external organisations and other key stakeholders
• To be adaptable and proactively explore the adoption of technology to streamline working practices
• Ensure compliance regarding policies, guidelines and maintaining records relevant to the organisations.
• Comply with communications and engagement standards of behaviour and working practices.

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• Act on behalf of the Joint Deputy Director of Communications, deputising at appropriate internal and external meetings and working groups.
• The job holder will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy, making decisions, as appropriate, which may have a significant impact on the Trusts reputation.
• To be the lead for digital communication, multimedia and brand activity and work independently with minimal supervision and using own initiative to make judgements and decisions in relation to this.
• To work independently within the parameters of Trust policy by interpreting such guidance accordingly. The post holder must be self-motivated and proven ability to work on own initiative; an innovative and creative thinker with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and planned work to a high specification.
• The job holder needs to be able to influence others who are based internally and externally, to achieve objectives without any direct authority.
• Lead and line management responsibility for the Digital Communication Team. Including performance management, appraisals, disciplinary, authorised/unauthorised absence, mandatory training compliance, recruitment and expenses.
• Lead and co-ordinate all aspects of the Digital Communication Teams work for both organisations.
• Ensure the Digital Communications Team is effective and facilitate good working relationships internally and externally at both Trusts.
• Protect the reputation of the Trust by managing issues proactively, serving to increase stakeholder understanding, support and confidence in the organisations services and developments.
• To ensure that good digital communications practices are embedded across the Trusts and their services.
• Help develop and motivate junior members of the team by providing leadership, acting as a role model and offering basic training in key tasks, so they can offer the very best communications and engagement consultancy and services to the organisation.
• Lead, develop, mentor and support individuals within the team to ensure skills and ability are maintained and behaviours and attitudes are aligned to the aspirations of a high performing directorate.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Attract external funding or partnership or sponsorship opportunities to support the delivery of multimedia and digital activity to the highest standard, value for money and customer impact.
• To develop where appropriate channels for creating revenue from digital activities such as photography or video sales alongside monetising the use of our brand.
• Be responsible for stock control of the Communications Departments' resources and the safe use of expensive equipment. For example digital imaging equipment, recording equipment and PA equipment.
• Have responsibility for liaison with external agencies for ordering digital, print and video assets as appropriate for both Trusts.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Ensure own compliance regarding mandatory training, maintaining records of training and development undertaken.
• Undertake and engage in training and development opportunities to achieve the essential requirements of the post and support service developments.
• Participate in the performance development review process in keeping with the KSF for the post and service/organisational objectives.
• Contribute to the induction, training and development of new staff.

To demonstrate continual professional development and utilise new and innovative ideas to deliver the best support to the organisation within the communications and engagement function.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, employment or voluntary work (eg public relations, journalism, marketing)

Desirable

• Masters level qualification or willing to work towards with equivalent demonstrable competencies
• Leadership and Management Degree or demonstrable experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a digital communications role within a commercial or public organisation
• Experience of managing people and projects within a digital communications setting
• Experience of proactively developing and delivering effective organisation-wide digital platforms which are engaging to staff and external communities
• Experience of developing brand including appropriate organisational tone of voice and online personality, ensuring consistency in its application
• Experience of devising and implementing digital campaigns
• Experience of writing digital brief and specification documentation and driving the adoption, use and implementation of effective systems
• Experience of effective digital governance
• Experience of commissioning print, design and multimedia work
• Evidence of generating ideas and pursuing them to result in successful communications initiatives
• Proactive approach to creating and seizing opportunities to enhance and protect the organisation's image
• Excellent skills at partnership working and developing relationships
• High level of IT literacy
• The post holder will be required to exercise advanced keyboard skills for designing publications, presentations and processing documents and will be required to manipulate complex productivity and technical data at speed.

Desirable

• Experience of writing reports or publicity documents and making presentations

Personal

Essential

• Team player able to engage with others in own team and colleagues in the organisation
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal stills and relationship building.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Good knowledge of digital communications, social media and emerging digital platforms
• Good knowledge and understanding of content management systems
• Technical understanding of websites and a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS
• Experience of managing and developing people
• Knowledge of web accessibility standards, copyright and licensing regulations
• Ability to identify and implement relevant and robust analytics which enable continuous improvement of platforms
• Ability to create and edit multimedia content
• Ability to attend meetings/functions out of hours as required
• Understanding of the evaluation of communications functions and an ability to use evidence to guide decision making for future communications activity
• An understanding and personal commitment to the NHS and the Trust and its vision and values and the ability to inspire others to achieve this
• Self-motivation and ability to deal with a demanding workload and deliver consistently to deadlines
• A good standard of personal computer skills, including ability to use word processing and presentation packages in a "Windows" environment
• Ability to lead and work as part of an effective team
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively
• Ability to make decisions and take appropriate action using initiative and good judgement
• Commitment to high standards of customer care and public service
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with local media

Desirable

• Current knowledge of NHS comms and ability to interpret this into the workplace
• Knowledge of the NHS or other public sector body
• Ability to write intelligibly, interestingly, concisely and with flair and creativity
• Awareness of and sensitivity to political issues and relationships
• Good working knowledge of Google Analytics, AdWords and understanding of the principles of Tag Manager

Other

Essential

• Access to a Vehicle for work purposes
• Requirement to work unsociable hours (evenings and weekends)

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).