Job summary
Communications Manager (job share)
Do you want to work in one of the most exciting press offices in the NHS?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the award-winning communications team at Guy's and St Thomas' and help share our story with the media. We are looking for someone to job share in our friendly and supportive team.
As Communications Manager, you will identify proactive media opportunities to promote and enhance the Trust's reputation. You will also manage a wide range of media enquiries, working with senior and clinical colleagues, and oversee filming across our sites.
You will lead the editorial processes, content management and production of The GiST, the Trust's flagship quarterly magazine for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders and the e-Gist, the Trust's monthly e-newsletter.
Our press office is one of the busiest in the NHS as our services and staff are often in the news. The press office team works in a busy and fast-paced environment with responsibility for proactive and reactive media work as well as running the Trust's X (formerly Twitter) feed, which has over 40,000 followers, and ensuring that senior management and clinical staff are briefed on media interest in the Trust.
Currently the team are working on a rota basis meaning there is an expectation you will work on site and from home some days. This is kept under review.
The Communications Manager role is a job share and you will work Wednesday to Friday.
Main duties of the job
The Communications Manager will work on media relations, proactive and reactive. They will manage media contacts with the Trust and any media presence at the Trust, as a key member of the press office team.
They will have strong experience and good contacts with national, local and health journalists. Their knowledge, experience and expertise will ensure the Trust's media handling is fit for the digital age and reflects the speed at which news stories may develop. They will be prepared to handle issues and major incidents at very short notice with expertise and professionalism, and participate in the media out-of-hours on-call rota.
They will oversee the development and delivery of the media team's strategy to support the Trust's fundraising priorities. Fundraising is a major priority for the Trust.
They will also play a key role in delivering the Trust's corporate communications agenda, ensuring that staff, patients and stakeholders are kept informed of the latest developments across the organisation. In particular, they will lead the editorial processes, content management and production of The GiST, the Trust's flagship quarterly magazine for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders and the e-Gist, the Trust's monthly e-newsletter.
The post holder will also line-manage the Trust's Senior Media Officer and provide professional guidance and support to colleagues across the whole communications team.
About us
The press office is part of our award-winning communications team. The team works closely together, providing plenty of opportunities to develop new skills.
As an organisation we never stand still, and this applies equally to our communications team. We are looking for someone who is always trying to identify opportunities for new and better ways of doing things.
You will be a superb writer, a creative thinker, calm under pressure and just as comfortable developing a strategy as delivering it.
As part of a large and busy communications team, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of high-profile work which, in recent times, has included our response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating VIP visits and supporting fundraising initiatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key relationships
Developing key relationships and networks within the department, across the Trust and Kings Health Partners and with external stakeholders are essential to the successful delivery of duties and responsibilities. Inspiring confidence and trust in professional and personal capabilities and conduct will provide the cornerstone for the key relationships.
Internal
- Director of Communications
- Head of Media and Corporate Communications
- Colleagues in the communications department
- Trust Executives and Directors
- Trust governors
- Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing and General Managers
- Capital projects and estates team
- Other corporate department leads and staff
- GP liaison officer
- Members of The GiST readers panel and editorial board
- Kings Health Partners communications colleagues
- Senior and communications fundraising team colleagues
- Senior and communications colleagues at Guys and St Thomas Charity brands
External
- Local and national media
- Designers, printers, photographers and other suppliers
- Specialist media, including medical, nursing, scientific and management publications
- NHS England (national and London)
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Local Integrated Care Boards
- MPs, local authorities and the GLA
Duties and responsibilities
Professional
Be a principal point of contact for the media and manage a wide range of media enquiries, liaise with colleagues to produce media statements in response to specific issues, set up interviews with and brief appropriate Trust staff and oversee filming on site.
Establish good working relations with journalists to enhance the Trusts reputation, ensuring media enquiries are managed promptly and professionally, developing stories and promoting case studies to support this.
Contribute news items to corporate publications and multi media channels working closely with colleagues in the department ensuring they are briefed as necessary on media activities and initiatives.
Maintain and enhance detailed personal knowledge and understanding of current healthcare sector priorities and politics and use this to inform media handling approaches and advice to senior colleagues.
Produce press releases and promote new developments to relevant media.
Support events and VIP and ministerial visits, often at short notice, liaising with staff and managing any media on site.
Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota for media calls outside normal working hours, briefing colleagues as appropriate. This may involve attending one of our hospital sites at short notice to co-ordinate media work relating to a major incident or any other incidents that require handling on site. Also providing support and advice to less experienced staff on the rota.
Support the communications department Major Incident Plan and crisis media response, including internal incidents and other sensitive issues.
Oversee the development and delivery of the media teams strategy to support the Trusts fundraising priorities, supporting the senior media officer and working closely with the senior teams and communications colleagues in the fundraising team and Guys and St Thomas Charity brands.
Plan and implement communications strategies to support a wide range of internal and external projects and campaigns aimed at staff, patients and the public, our membership and other audiences.
Work with clinical and non-clinical directorates, such as capital projects and estates, human resources, training and development and nursing and infection control to support their communications requirements.
Write and produce content for leaflets, posters and other materials. Also write web content and use digital and social media channels where appropriate in accordance with Trust guidelines.
Coordinate the editorial process, content management and production of The GiST - the Trusts flagship quarterly publication for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders.
Coordinate the editorial process, content management and production of the e-Gist, the Trusts monthly e-newsletter for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders.
Ensure a wealth of content that reflects the diversity of our services and audience, oversee the proposed readers panel and respond to content suggestions, as well as be a member of the Trusts editorial board.
Research and write content and plan and oversee photography for The GiST, e-Gist and other corporate publications.
Establish effective networks internally and externally to maximise knowledge and understanding of the Trusts work and new developments.
Contribute ideas and suggestions to a forward planner of content, including for The GiST and the e-Gist, proactive media stories, campaigns and events. Also develop and promote case studies of individual achievement for use in campaigns and other communications.
Develop and deliver regular readership surveys for both the GiST and e-Gist and make improvements based on the feedback and evidence received.
Other
Provide support to the wider team covering a range of ad hoc activities such as event management, including open days and politician/VIP visits; supervising filming access; lectures and seminars etc.
All team members will work with colleagues to ensure that office systems are effective and run smoothly and that the department deploys its resources efficiently.
Management and leadership
Line manage the Senior Media Officer, providing professional support and development, including annual appraisals and objective setting, performance management and identifying training requirements.
Manage relationships with colleagues at Guys and St Thomas Charity brands and the fundraising teams including issues management and coordinating regular performance reviews against shared objectives.
Manage a busy workload and ensure appropriate prioritisation of projects and activities to meet a range of deadlines, for both The GiST and work on behalf of the communications team and other departments.
Represent the department at internal and external meetings and events as required and directed by senior colleagues.
Direct and advise Trust staff through any media contacts and enquiries.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key relationships
Developing key relationships and networks within the department, across the Trust and Kings Health Partners and with external stakeholders are essential to the successful delivery of duties and responsibilities. Inspiring confidence and trust in professional and personal capabilities and conduct will provide the cornerstone for the key relationships.
Internal
- Director of Communications
- Head of Media and Corporate Communications
- Colleagues in the communications department
- Trust Executives and Directors
- Trust governors
- Clinical Directors, Heads of Nursing and General Managers
- Capital projects and estates team
- Other corporate department leads and staff
- GP liaison officer
- Members of The GiST readers panel and editorial board
- Kings Health Partners communications colleagues
- Senior and communications fundraising team colleagues
- Senior and communications colleagues at Guys and St Thomas Charity brands
External
- Local and national media
- Designers, printers, photographers and other suppliers
- Specialist media, including medical, nursing, scientific and management publications
- NHS England (national and London)
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Local Integrated Care Boards
- MPs, local authorities and the GLA
Duties and responsibilities
Professional
Be a principal point of contact for the media and manage a wide range of media enquiries, liaise with colleagues to produce media statements in response to specific issues, set up interviews with and brief appropriate Trust staff and oversee filming on site.
Establish good working relations with journalists to enhance the Trusts reputation, ensuring media enquiries are managed promptly and professionally, developing stories and promoting case studies to support this.
Contribute news items to corporate publications and multi media channels working closely with colleagues in the department ensuring they are briefed as necessary on media activities and initiatives.
Maintain and enhance detailed personal knowledge and understanding of current healthcare sector priorities and politics and use this to inform media handling approaches and advice to senior colleagues.
Produce press releases and promote new developments to relevant media.
Support events and VIP and ministerial visits, often at short notice, liaising with staff and managing any media on site.
Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota for media calls outside normal working hours, briefing colleagues as appropriate. This may involve attending one of our hospital sites at short notice to co-ordinate media work relating to a major incident or any other incidents that require handling on site. Also providing support and advice to less experienced staff on the rota.
Support the communications department Major Incident Plan and crisis media response, including internal incidents and other sensitive issues.
Oversee the development and delivery of the media teams strategy to support the Trusts fundraising priorities, supporting the senior media officer and working closely with the senior teams and communications colleagues in the fundraising team and Guys and St Thomas Charity brands.
Plan and implement communications strategies to support a wide range of internal and external projects and campaigns aimed at staff, patients and the public, our membership and other audiences.
Work with clinical and non-clinical directorates, such as capital projects and estates, human resources, training and development and nursing and infection control to support their communications requirements.
Write and produce content for leaflets, posters and other materials. Also write web content and use digital and social media channels where appropriate in accordance with Trust guidelines.
Coordinate the editorial process, content management and production of The GiST - the Trusts flagship quarterly publication for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders.
Coordinate the editorial process, content management and production of the e-Gist, the Trusts monthly e-newsletter for staff, members of the public and other stakeholders.
Ensure a wealth of content that reflects the diversity of our services and audience, oversee the proposed readers panel and respond to content suggestions, as well as be a member of the Trusts editorial board.
Research and write content and plan and oversee photography for The GiST, e-Gist and other corporate publications.
Establish effective networks internally and externally to maximise knowledge and understanding of the Trusts work and new developments.
Contribute ideas and suggestions to a forward planner of content, including for The GiST and the e-Gist, proactive media stories, campaigns and events. Also develop and promote case studies of individual achievement for use in campaigns and other communications.
Develop and deliver regular readership surveys for both the GiST and e-Gist and make improvements based on the feedback and evidence received.
Other
Provide support to the wider team covering a range of ad hoc activities such as event management, including open days and politician/VIP visits; supervising filming access; lectures and seminars etc.
All team members will work with colleagues to ensure that office systems are effective and run smoothly and that the department deploys its resources efficiently.
Management and leadership
Line manage the Senior Media Officer, providing professional support and development, including annual appraisals and objective setting, performance management and identifying training requirements.
Manage relationships with colleagues at Guys and St Thomas Charity brands and the fundraising teams including issues management and coordinating regular performance reviews against shared objectives.
Manage a busy workload and ensure appropriate prioritisation of projects and activities to meet a range of deadlines, for both The GiST and work on behalf of the communications team and other departments.
Represent the department at internal and external meetings and events as required and directed by senior colleagues.
Direct and advise Trust staff through any media contacts and enquiries.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level (or equivalent experience)
- Evidence of continued learning / development
- Excellent IT skills
- Masters or equivalent experience
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations or the Association of Healthcare Communications and Marketing
Desirable
- Project Management Qualification
Previous experience
Essential
- Substantial communications / public relations experience
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing story and campaign ideas
- Experience of publishing, including overseeing complex design and print
- Experience within a complex organisation
- Management experience within a large, high profile and complex organisation, including 24/7 crisis and issues management
- Significant influencing and persuasion skills
- Proven experience of creating opportunities and working collaboratively with internal and external partners
- Experience of leading and managing staff
- Experience of managing a budget
- Experience of working with colleagues in charity and fundraising roles
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS
Skills / Knowledge / Ability
Essential
- Ability to command the confidence of colleagues, staff, Trust Directors and Board members
- A good understanding of the NHS and the changing environment
- Portfolio of publications production and publishing
- Evidence of ability to deliver against targets
- Engagement with stakeholders to understand requirements
- Ability to manage and deliver to deadlines within resources
- Politically astute with proven track record of developing networks
- Able to deputise for the Senior Media Manager and Head of Media and Corporate Communications
- Ability to plan and prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent numerical, verbal and critical reasoning
- Experience of dealing positively with organisational politics
- Effective negotiation and influencing skills
- Knowledge of Contensis or similar content management system
Desirable
- Working with and organising events and visits involving CEOs, Chairs, Boards, Politicians, Government Departments and VIPs
- Understanding of the current health policy developments
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level (or equivalent experience)
- Evidence of continued learning / development
- Excellent IT skills
- Masters or equivalent experience
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations or the Association of Healthcare Communications and Marketing
Desirable
- Project Management Qualification
Previous experience
Essential
- Substantial communications / public relations experience
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing story and campaign ideas
- Experience of publishing, including overseeing complex design and print
- Experience within a complex organisation
- Management experience within a large, high profile and complex organisation, including 24/7 crisis and issues management
- Significant influencing and persuasion skills
- Proven experience of creating opportunities and working collaboratively with internal and external partners
- Experience of leading and managing staff
- Experience of managing a budget
- Experience of working with colleagues in charity and fundraising roles
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS
Skills / Knowledge / Ability
Essential
- Ability to command the confidence of colleagues, staff, Trust Directors and Board members
- A good understanding of the NHS and the changing environment
- Portfolio of publications production and publishing
- Evidence of ability to deliver against targets
- Engagement with stakeholders to understand requirements
- Ability to manage and deliver to deadlines within resources
- Politically astute with proven track record of developing networks
- Able to deputise for the Senior Media Manager and Head of Media and Corporate Communications
- Ability to plan and prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent numerical, verbal and critical reasoning
- Experience of dealing positively with organisational politics
- Effective negotiation and influencing skills
- Knowledge of Contensis or similar content management system
Desirable
- Working with and organising events and visits involving CEOs, Chairs, Boards, Politicians, Government Departments and VIPs
- Understanding of the current health policy developments
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).
