Job summary
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) is a group of hospitals and community services in South West London and Surrey. We came together to form a group in early 2022 and we are now one of the largest NHS organisations in England with 17,000 staff caring for more than one million patients each year.
For over a year our communications teams have been working closer together under the leadership of a single group communications director, sharing our expertise, skills and resources while providing a more resilient and dynamic communications and engagement function for our staff, patients, and communities.
By working together, our integrated campaigns have led to a fall in attendances to emergency departments, higher levels of staff engagement with 700 people taking part in our monthly events and record breaking attendances at public meetings, We retain a high profile in the media with our staff regularly featuring on broadcast, in print and online national news and we have supported dozens of high profile visits to showcase our outstanding, innovative and specialist care to our patients.
We are now in the process of formally merging our communications teams and we are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and innovative Group Communications Officer to join our friendly, supportive team.
Main duties of the job
You will be joining a department where always do our absolute best for our staff and patients, and take pride in what we do, while having fun, working collaboratively, and creating regular opportunities for development and growth. And you will be working for a hospital Group where the Executive Team, Site Leadership Teams and other leaders recognise and support the role communications makes in patient care.
You will produce engaging content for all our channels, including for our intranet, staff bulletin and public website. This will involve researching content, interviewing staff and patients, drafting and editing copy, seeking the necessary approvals, proof-reading, taking photographs, and creating engaging video content.
You will also be supporting - and have opportunities to create and lead - exciting, robust communications campaigns, so we need someone who thinks strategically.
The successful candidate will need to be highly organised, have great inter-personal skills, and be able to write and communicate to a very high standard. He/she will need to liaise with staff across the Trust, including the Chief Executive, other directors, senior managers and staff from across the group - such as doctors, nurses, and a range of other healthcare professionals.
We encourage people from all sections of our community to apply for jobs with us. We particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
About us
- To respond quickly, accurately and positively to day-to-day staff communication enquiries.
- To have responsibility for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others, complying at all times with requirements of Health and Safety Regulations.
- To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with provisions of the Data Protection Act and its amendments.
- To work in accordance with the trust's Equal Opportunities policy to eliminate unlawful discrimination in relation to employment and service delivery.
- To ensure skills are up-to-date and relevant to the role, to follow relevant trust policies and professional codes and to maintain registration where this is a requirement of the role.
- To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs after consultation with the postholder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Factor
Essential
Desirable
Method of Assessment
Qualifications and Training
Degree level or equivalent
A
Experience
At least two years internal or external communications or media experience
Experience of copywriting and content creation
Event support/management
Experience of office administration including invoices or dealing with payment systems
Experience of using CMS systems
NHS or Healthcare experience
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Skills
Able to work under pressure with conflicting priorities
Very effective communication and relationship skills, able to quickly process complex and sensitive information
Can confidently communicate with a wide range of people at all levels of organisation
High quality written and verbal communication skills in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences
Can work on own initiative, especially identifying opportunities to promote the trusts work
Experience using desktop publishing software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign)
Experience of video editing and design, using editing software such as Premiere Pro
Knowledge of the print and distribution process leaflets, magazines, etc
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I/T
A/I
Knowledge
Microsoft office software
A/I
Other
Confident team player
Strongly developed communications skills
Well organised and punctual
Excellent interpersonal skills
Well-presented and self-motivated with an eye for detail
Political awareness and sensitivity
An interest in current affairs
I
A/I/T
A/I
I
A/I/T
A/I
Key: I = Interview, A = Application Form, T = Practical Test
Job description
Job responsibilities
Factor
Essential
Desirable
Method of Assessment
Qualifications and Training
Degree level or equivalent
A
Experience
At least two years internal or external communications or media experience
Experience of copywriting and content creation
Event support/management
Experience of office administration including invoices or dealing with payment systems
Experience of using CMS systems
NHS or Healthcare experience
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Skills
Able to work under pressure with conflicting priorities
Very effective communication and relationship skills, able to quickly process complex and sensitive information
Can confidently communicate with a wide range of people at all levels of organisation
High quality written and verbal communication skills in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences
Can work on own initiative, especially identifying opportunities to promote the trusts work
Experience using desktop publishing software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign)
Experience of video editing and design, using editing software such as Premiere Pro
Knowledge of the print and distribution process leaflets, magazines, etc
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I/T
A/I
Knowledge
Microsoft office software
A/I
Other
Confident team player
Strongly developed communications skills
Well organised and punctual
Excellent interpersonal skills
Well-presented and self-motivated with an eye for detail
Political awareness and sensitivity
An interest in current affairs
I
A/I/T
A/I
I
A/I/T
A/I
Key: I = Interview, A = Application Form, T = Practical Test
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- Degree level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- At least two years' internal or external communications or media experience
- Experience of copywriting and content creation
- Event support/management
- Experience of office administration including invoices or dealing with payment systems
- Experience of using CMS systems
Desirable
- NHS or Healthcare experience
Skills
Essential
- Able to work under pressure with conflicting priorities
- Very effective communication and relationship skills, able to quickly process complex and sensitive information
- Can confidently communicate with a wide range of people at all levels of organisation
- High quality written and verbal communication skills in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences
- Can work on own initiative, especially identifying opportunities to promote the trust's work
Desirable
- Experience using desktop publishing software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign)
- Experience of video editing and design, using editing software such as Premiere Pro
- Knowledge of the print and distribution process - leaflets, magazines, etc
Knowledge
Essential
- Microsoft office software
Other
Essential
- Confident team player
- Strongly developed communications skills
- Well organised and punctual
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Well-presented and self-motivated with an eye for detail
- Political awareness and sensitivity
Desirable
- An interest in current affairs
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- Degree level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- At least two years' internal or external communications or media experience
- Experience of copywriting and content creation
- Event support/management
- Experience of office administration including invoices or dealing with payment systems
- Experience of using CMS systems
Desirable
- NHS or Healthcare experience
Skills
Essential
- Able to work under pressure with conflicting priorities
- Very effective communication and relationship skills, able to quickly process complex and sensitive information
- Can confidently communicate with a wide range of people at all levels of organisation
- High quality written and verbal communication skills in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences
- Can work on own initiative, especially identifying opportunities to promote the trust's work
Desirable
- Experience using desktop publishing software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign)
- Experience of video editing and design, using editing software such as Premiere Pro
- Knowledge of the print and distribution process - leaflets, magazines, etc
Knowledge
Essential
- Microsoft office software
Other
Essential
- Confident team player
- Strongly developed communications skills
- Well organised and punctual
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Well-presented and self-motivated with an eye for detail
- Political awareness and sensitivity
Desirable
- An interest in current affairs
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).
