Communcations Officer (Interim)

Job responsibilities

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https://kentsurreysussexahsnltd.teamtailor.com/jobs/5637467-communications-officer-interim

THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR HEALTH INNOVATION KSS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ROLE IS ATTACHED IN THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.

Job purpose

The Communications Officer will support the Acting Head of Communications & Engagement, to increase the reach, impact, visibility and positioning of Health Innovation KSS, and its programmes. This will involve supporting stakeholders across all levels of colleagues to implement effective external and internal communications strategies and plans.

You'll support various projects, from communications about our specific programmes (e.g. cardiovascular disease and health inequalities) to corporate communications, requiring adaptability and excellent stakeholder management skills. You will share Health Innovation KSSs values and behaviours and be passionate about making a difference.

The Communications Officer will craft compelling stories across multiple channels - from social media and websites to newsletters and press releases. You'll work directly with healthcare innovators, NHS Trusts, academic partners, and community organisations to showcase how we're improving health outcomes for local communities.

The postholder will bring excellent copywriting and project management skills, with experience in managing social media channels (e.g. LinkedIn and X), email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp) and website content management systems (e.g. WordPress).

Key duties and responsibilities

Prepare engaging written and visual content in collaboration with the Communications Manager, (Acting Head of Communications & Engagement) e.g. news stories, newsletters, social media posts, case studies for use on a wide range of channels including social media, websites, e-marketing, meetings and events, internal communications etc.

Manage our communications channels (LinkedIn, X, website etc) to ensure relevant audiences are kept up to date with news and priorities as appropriate.

Manage and implement communications plans for individual projects and ensure programme milestones related to communications activities are achieved on time and within the agreed budget.

Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships across key stakeholder groups including national and local commissioners, health and care system partners, health tech innovators / industry partners, academia and research partners, VSCE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) organisations.

Support the planning and delivery of internal communications in collaboration with the Communications Manager (Acting Head of Communications & Engagement).

Support the delivery of corporate communications activities, functions and publications including the annual reports and business plans as needed.

Support the development of organisational identity by promoting consistent use of Health Innovation KSS and Health Innovation Network brands across all our communications channels.

Monitor, record and evaluate communications performance, especially across our digital channels, reporting against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and helping to integrate learnings into future projects.

Manage suppliers, particularly graphic design and digital suppliers, implementing robust planning and governance processes to ensure campaigns and activities are delivered on time, to budget and are of a high quality.

This job description is designed to identify key responsibilities of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of duties and will be subject to amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

General responsibilities

To act as part of 'one team'.

To promote the values of Health Innovation KSS

To ensure effective communications within and between project teams, be involved in and participate in meetings, team briefings, development days, corporate events etc.

To engage with line manager in regular performance and development reviews against agreed objectives. To be responsible for actively identifying own development needs and committing to a personal development plan based on continuous learning.

To support on ad hoc requests in keeping with this job description.

Equality Diversity and Inclusivity

We value and promote diversity and strongly encourage applications from people across groups that are underrepresented in our decision making, including those from ethnic minority groups and those with disabilities. We believe that the best of teams are those that reflect and are rooted in the communities they serve.

To support that, our recruitment processes are inclusive and seek to ensure that appointments are made after a fair and open process so that the best people, from the widest possible pool of diverse candidates, are appointed. Most importantly, we recognise that skills and experience can be lived as well as learnt.

Values and Behaviours

Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex has developed a clear vision for the direction of the company, in addition to an important set of values and behaviours created in consultation with the entire workforce.

Applicants and employees are expected to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to these values and behaviours, which are assessed through recruitment, selection and appraisal processes.

Physical and other requirements

Essential

• Ability to travel, in particular, across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Desirable

• Possesses a current driving licence and access to a car.

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a Communications Officer or considerable experience as a Communications Assistant / Administrator, ideally within a health or science or academic setting.
• Experience of creating, executing and evaluating communications plans.
• Evidence of managing digital communications: social media, website content, newsletters etc.
• Awareness of key issues in the health and social care sector in the England and ability to keep up with key developments.
• Experience of building strong stakeholder relationships and gaining a reputation as a trusted communications advisor.
• Managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of evaluating and assessing impact of communications projects, refining approaches based on evidence and insights.

Desirable

• Communications experience in the NHS, local authorities, government or health tech company.
• Experience of engagement activities, e.g. surveys, events, etc.
• Experience using MailChimp.
• Experience using WordPress.
• Experience of graphic design (desirable).
• Experience of video editing (desirable).

Personal style and behaviours

Essential

• Builds trust and works collaboratively to bring people together and harness a diverse range of expertise and experiences.
• Constructively challenges current practice.
• Communicates clear purpose and direction.
• Learning mind-set seeks opportunities to develop further skills as a communication practitioner and actively embeds learning into practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level (or demonstrable equivalent experience)
• Advanced working knowledge/training of Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint and webpage maintenance
• Relevant training in communications, engagement etc.

Desirable

• Professional qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. communications, marketing etc)

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent time-management, with the ability to prioritise and self-manage.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritising work and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to engage colleagues outside the immediate team.
• Highly digital / computer literate with experience of a range of software packages.
• Ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.
• Flexibility in approaches to working.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Desirable

• Social media skills, especially managing content on LinkedIn and X.
• Experience of evaluating communication and engagement plans and campaigns.