Job summary
This is a really exciting opportunity to make your mark in a brand new NHS organisation! This is a key post in our organisation and will report directly to the Chief Executive and be a member of the Executive Team. The role will work closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, members of the Board, the Council of Governors, the Executive Team and other senior colleagues internally and externally.
We are about to enter a really exciting new phase in our history as we become the new North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) on 1 November 2024. This follows several years where Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust have been working together as the North London Mental Health Partnership, with a single Chair, Chief Executive and Executive Team. Our Communications Team and functions have already been integrated, as have most other corporate functions.
As we become the new North London NHS Foundation Trust on 1 November, we are seeking to appoint an experienced senior communications professional to the role of Director of Communications, Marketing and Engagement. The role will be supported by an Assistant Director and a team of seven other Communications staff.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the new Trust's communications, marketing and engagement function providing professional advice, expertise and leadership on all aspects of communications, marketing, staff and stakeholder engagement, maximising opportunities to promote the Trust's work and reputation. They will develop strong relationships with external stakeholders, including the media, in seeking to enhance the reputation of the Trust. They will also encourage greater staff engagement across the organisation.
A major priority of the role will be to promote the new North London NHS Foundation Trust as an organisation that is synonymous with excellence in mental healthcare and develop our reputation as a leading NHS mental health provider and a great place to work for staff.
About us
In order to meet the needs of the new Partnership services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Trust and Camden and Islington Trust. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Corporate communications
Corporate responsibility for the development and implementation of the Trusts communications, marketing and engagement strategies, policies and functions.
Provide high quality, expert advice on corporate, internal and digital communications to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Trust Board and to the wider organisation.
Managing and developing a proactive, integrated communications, marketing and engagement service spanning public and media relations, internal communications and stakeholder engagement to promote a strong, positive reputation for the Trust.
Lead the communication and engagement agenda for the development and delivery of the Trusts service transformation programmes.
Support the delivery of the Strategic Aims and Objectives of the Trust and the embedding of our Values across the organisation.
Present sensitive and contentious information to stakeholders and potentially hostile audiences in clear and appropriate ways that help to enhance the reputation of the Trust.
Lead the development of key publications, including the Trusts Annual Report and information for patients, carers, GPs and the general public.
Lead the development and management of the digital and on-line communications, including the Trusts website, staff intranet and social media.
Co-ordinate and implement consistent and regular auditing, research and analysis of the effectiveness of communications techniques.
Ensure the provision of effective 24/7 communications cover for the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Corporate communications
Corporate responsibility for the development and implementation of the Trusts communications, marketing and engagement strategies, policies and functions.
Provide high quality, expert advice on corporate, internal and digital communications to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Trust Board and to the wider organisation.
Managing and developing a proactive, integrated communications, marketing and engagement service spanning public and media relations, internal communications and stakeholder engagement to promote a strong, positive reputation for the Trust.
Lead the communication and engagement agenda for the development and delivery of the Trusts service transformation programmes.
Support the delivery of the Strategic Aims and Objectives of the Trust and the embedding of our Values across the organisation.
Present sensitive and contentious information to stakeholders and potentially hostile audiences in clear and appropriate ways that help to enhance the reputation of the Trust.
Lead the development of key publications, including the Trusts Annual Report and information for patients, carers, GPs and the general public.
Lead the development and management of the digital and on-line communications, including the Trusts website, staff intranet and social media.
Co-ordinate and implement consistent and regular auditing, research and analysis of the effectiveness of communications techniques.
Ensure the provision of effective 24/7 communications cover for the Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level education and/or professional qualification
- Educated to Masters Degree level or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive experience in a similar role at an NHS provider or a similar organisation
- Significant experience of working with Executives and senior leadership teams
- Media relations and marketing, including designing and project managing major media campaigns
- Reputation management
- Developing innovative communications channels and methods
- Staff and public consultation and engagement
- Utilising digital and social media
- Major formal document writing, design, editing and production
- Experience of devising and implementing effective communications, marketing and engagement strategies
- Proven ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and develop networks and partnerships
- Experience of interpreting national policy guidance and implementing locally
- Experience of managing staff and budgets
Personal qualities
Essential
- High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience
- Politically sensitive and aware
- Commitment to mental health improvement
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Well-developed influencing skills coupled with the ability to manage complexity and difficult situations
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate level education and/or professional qualification
- Educated to Masters Degree level or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive experience in a similar role at an NHS provider or a similar organisation
- Significant experience of working with Executives and senior leadership teams
- Media relations and marketing, including designing and project managing major media campaigns
- Reputation management
- Developing innovative communications channels and methods
- Staff and public consultation and engagement
- Utilising digital and social media
- Major formal document writing, design, editing and production
- Experience of devising and implementing effective communications, marketing and engagement strategies
- Proven ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and develop networks and partnerships
- Experience of interpreting national policy guidance and implementing locally
- Experience of managing staff and budgets
Personal qualities
Essential
- High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience
- Politically sensitive and aware
- Commitment to mental health improvement
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Well-developed influencing skills coupled with the ability to manage complexity and difficult situations
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).
