Job summary
To lead the development of a science communications strategy for CUH, which supports the wider communication strategy. You will build strong relationships with scientists and researchers at CUH to create a pipeline of research news stories for our regional and national media.
Main duties of the job
Develop the Trust's science, research and innovation communications plan, to include all of its external audiences, and include the channels and messages required to ensure effective two-way communication is effectively maintained at all times.
Work with Trust staff at all levels across the organisation to identify, plan, research, implement, develop and evaluate a range of communications projects, campaigns and high profile events and issues.
Source, develop and create the highest quality content for CUH communications channels .
Build strong relationships with scientists and researchers at CUH to create a pipeline of research stories.
Plan and deliver ambitious media outreach, commissioning and creating the assets needed for multi-channel coverage.
Be first point of contact and lead support within the communications team for science and research stories.
Translate complex science and research into accessible and impactful human interest stories and understand their application to CUH audiences.
Build relationships with science journalists and outlets in the UK and beyond to secure ongoing overage of CUH's work at the forefront of life science.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 12000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on the 12th May 2024.
Interviews are due to be held on the 24th May 2024.
Benefits to you
We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse, day nurseries and access to a great transport system with easy access to airports and rail travel.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on the 12th May 2024.
Interviews are due to be held on the 24th May 2024.
Benefits to you
We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse, day nurseries and access to a great transport system with easy access to airports and rail travel.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent level of skills or experience plus training and/or experience in the communications field to degree-level equivalent.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Either an under-graduate or post-graduate qualification in journalism, marketing, public relations or related field.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing or Public Relations.
- Science degree.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading external communications at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Experience of turning complex science and research projects into accessible and compelling language for mass public audiences.
- Experience in identifying good media stories, specifically for TV, print and radio.
- Dealing with a variety of professionals and staff at all levels.
- Evidence of successful communication strategy, development and implementation.
- Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and designing channels that target audiences precisely.
- Practical experience in using different approaches to communications across all mediums.
- Experience of working with the media.
Desirable
- Experience of working with top UK science journalists.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of how and where science papers are published and how to deliver supporting media stories.
- Understanding of how science stories may unfold in the media and how to optimise this for the benefit of patients and staff at CUH.
- Understanding of how to identify and target specific audience groups.
- Knowledge of science journalists in the UK and beyond.
- Knowledge of the media and how it operates as well as the law in relation to media relations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of stakeholder communications approaches from across the industry sector and how they can be implemented in the NHS.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
- Advanced keyboard skills required for speed and accuracy for preparing reports, media releases and presentation material.
- Ability to take highly complex material and express it in compelling and accessible language, removing technical jargon.
- Political skills and knowledge of public sector issues, including those surrounding the NHS.
- Able to persuade and influence senior scientists to communicate their work in an impactful and effective way.
- Ability to manage matrix stakeholder relationships in projects involving major change.
- Ability to represent the organisation and reflect its aims and objectives, speaking publicly on its behalf.
- Able to plan complex multi-stakeholder communications projects and monitor their successful delivery with a high degree of attention to detail.
- Flexibility in handling a wide range of projects, managed to tight deadlines.
- Politically aware.
- Ability to take the lead on projects involving external stakeholders at all levels.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent level of skills or experience plus training and/or experience in the communications field to degree-level equivalent.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Either an under-graduate or post-graduate qualification in journalism, marketing, public relations or related field.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing or Public Relations.
- Science degree.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading external communications at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Experience of turning complex science and research projects into accessible and compelling language for mass public audiences.
- Experience in identifying good media stories, specifically for TV, print and radio.
- Dealing with a variety of professionals and staff at all levels.
- Evidence of successful communication strategy, development and implementation.
- Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and designing channels that target audiences precisely.
- Practical experience in using different approaches to communications across all mediums.
- Experience of working with the media.
Desirable
- Experience of working with top UK science journalists.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of how and where science papers are published and how to deliver supporting media stories.
- Understanding of how science stories may unfold in the media and how to optimise this for the benefit of patients and staff at CUH.
- Understanding of how to identify and target specific audience groups.
- Knowledge of science journalists in the UK and beyond.
- Knowledge of the media and how it operates as well as the law in relation to media relations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of stakeholder communications approaches from across the industry sector and how they can be implemented in the NHS.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
- Advanced keyboard skills required for speed and accuracy for preparing reports, media releases and presentation material.
- Ability to take highly complex material and express it in compelling and accessible language, removing technical jargon.
- Political skills and knowledge of public sector issues, including those surrounding the NHS.
- Able to persuade and influence senior scientists to communicate their work in an impactful and effective way.
- Ability to manage matrix stakeholder relationships in projects involving major change.
- Ability to represent the organisation and reflect its aims and objectives, speaking publicly on its behalf.
- Able to plan complex multi-stakeholder communications projects and monitor their successful delivery with a high degree of attention to detail.
- Flexibility in handling a wide range of projects, managed to tight deadlines.
- Politically aware.
- Ability to take the lead on projects involving external stakeholders at all levels.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)