Communications Manager

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

The closing date is 26 January 2025

Job summary

Are you an experienced communications professional looking for a temporary role where you can make an immediate impact? North West Ambulance Service is seeking a skilled communications manager to join our award winning and friendly team. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment across the NHS and emergency services to support critical projects and enhance engagement.

Reporting to a senior communications manager, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering key communications initiatives, crafting compelling and accessible content for various channels, aimed at both internal and external audiences, and serving as the communications representative on various project groups.

Main duties of the job

As a line manager, you will be responsible for the work plans, development and wellbeing support of your direct reports. You will also be expected to support the objectives of the wider communications and engagement team through our PR, social media, public affairs, and patient engagement activities.

We're looking for someone who can hit the ground running. You'll need:o Proven experience in a public relations or communications environment, ideally within the NHS or a similar organisation.o Strong project management skills and the ability to handle complex, sensitive communications issues.o Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.o Experience organising events.o Experience managing stakeholder relationships.o Leadership and motivational skills to guide and support team members.

This is a unique opportunity to bring your expertise to a role that makes a difference to the lives of our staff and the patients we serve.

The team currently works a hybrid model of 2 days in the office and 3 days from home on a rota basis.

The post holder may be required to participate in our on-call service, acting as the communications lead for major incidents and crisis communications situations out of hours (1 day in 6).

About us

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.

Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.

Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.

We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Date posted

20 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

7 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

242-4544-LR

Job locations

30 Communications

Bolton

BL1 5DD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure you have read the full Job Description and Person Specification before applying for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure you have read the full Job Description and Person Specification before applying for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level, with current equivalent experience, and must be willing to work towards a qualification of this level
Evidence of continuous professional development

Skills

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner
Able to communicate across wide demographic boundaries in an appropriate manner
Strong management, motivational and leadership skills
Respects and applies patient confidentiality at all times
Able to operate all equipment safely and in accordance with Trust policy, procedures and protocols

Knowledge

Essential

Experience in a public relations or communications environment, ideally within the NHS or a similar organisation.

Desirable

Experience of managing a team

Personal Attributes

Essential

Flexible and highly motivated
Project a professional image

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level, with current equivalent experience, and must be willing to work towards a qualification of this level
Evidence of continuous professional development

Skills

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive manner
Able to communicate across wide demographic boundaries in an appropriate manner
Strong management, motivational and leadership skills
Respects and applies patient confidentiality at all times
Able to operate all equipment safely and in accordance with Trust policy, procedures and protocols

Knowledge

Essential

Experience in a public relations or communications environment, ideally within the NHS or a similar organisation.

Desirable

Experience of managing a team

Personal Attributes

Essential

Flexible and highly motivated
Project a professional image

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.