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Job summary

Main area
Communications
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
52.5 hours per week (plus on call hours)
Job ref
358-7004856-COR
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Leicester Royal Infirmary / Home Based
Town
Leicester
Salary
£29,970 - £36,483 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
Today at 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Communications Officer

NHS AfC: Band 5

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Job overview

Our Communications Officer role is a fast-paced and challenging one that will suit a great communications all-rounder with a passion for the NHS. 

This role sits at the heart of a creative and supportive communications team that supports all the internal and external communications required at one of the biggest and busiest NHS Trusts in the country.

The successful candidate will support a wide range of communications and engagement work from media and public relations to crisis management; social media content creation and campaigns to patient information; colleague listening events to strategic communications support for our priority areas including equality, diversity and inclusion, culture and transformation.

The successful candidate will be as comfortable in planning and delivery as they are in analysis and evaluation to ensure that our work remains focused and of high value. 

You will help to translate creative ideas, team spirit, patient focus and small budgets into effective communications with measurable results – helping us to become a better employer and a better place to receive care.

Please note, there is one Full-Time (37.50 hpw) and one Part-Time (15.0 hpw) post.  Please specify your preference in your Supporting evidence)

Main duties of the job

You will  support our diverse portfolio of internal and external communications projects and campaigns with opportunities to work with the media, social media and support crisis handling.

You will help to translate creative ideas, team spirit and small budgets into effective communications with measurable results – helping us to become a better employer and a better place to receive care.

Working closely with the Internal Communications Manager and Head of Campaigns, you will find the stories that matter to our audiences and tell them in ways that people will hear. You will advocate for colleagues and patients by listening to people’s experiences and sharing those experiences with the right people to help shape change. 

You will be part of a creative, friendly and passionate team,  playing a vital role in the delivery of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust's vision to be 'leading in healthcare, trusted in communities'. 

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals: 
  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

  • Good news - work with internal stakeholders to source and develop good news stories and ensure that achievements, investment and excellence receive suitable external and internal publicity
  • Campaigns – develop and deliver internal and external campaigns using audience insight and wider research to ensure our campaigns reach and resonate with the right people.
  • Contacts - develop strong relationships both internally and externally that enable us better understand our audiences, create great communications and enhance our reputation locally.
  • Evaluation – measure reach, impact and return-on-investment analysis of communications and marketing tactics using quantitative and qualitative research methods to inform future strategies and support with internal reporting of project outcomes.
  • On call service - Take part in an out-of-hours on-call rota to provide the Trust with 24/7 communications support. Work as part of the communications team to assist in dealing with adverse events and major incidents, in and out of hours.

Please see the attached job description for full details. 

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Post degree experience of 2 years or more in communications/marketing
  • Other communications qualifications (CIPR, CIM or other).
  • Membership of professional body

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of delivering successful campaigns through blend of education and experience
  • Training and/or experience of working with or in the media
  • Understanding of how the media works
  • Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
  • A strong understanding of the news agenda
  • Experience of writing and producing publications for large or complex organisations
  • Experience of communicating messages internally and to the public effectively
  • Execution of campaigns/communications that engage with specific audiences.
  • Creation of written messages/ creative content for different audiences
  • Communications planning
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in the NHS or a related organisation.
  • Crisis management experience

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria
  • Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages with advanced keyboard use

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nancy Smith-Mitsch
Job title
Internal Communications Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07929 862695
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