External Communications Manager

Job summary

Reporting to the External Communications Lead, this role will be focused on managing the delivery of high quality proactive and reactive media and external communications service for the hospital and to a lesser extent its research partner, the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

The postholder will be an experienced external communications manager, dynamic and proactive with extensive experience of both issues and reputation management, crisis communications and securing high profile media coverage.

They will live and breathe the news agenda, have a keen eye for a story and know the importance of effective external stakeholder communications. They will also have a passion and a deep understanding of the importance of digital and social media and have experience of delivering a fully integrated approach to communications.

A background in public sector communications and excellent writing skills are essential.

Working in a busy communications office, the post-holder will play a key role in supporting the External Communications Lead and Associate Director of Communications to develop an integrated External Communications Strategy for the organisation. They will deliver positive high profile PR stories and handle issues and enquiries to a high standard.

They will be part of the wider Communications team & will hold direct senior relationships with key staff including briefing members of the hospital's Executive Management Team on high profile issues.

Main duties of the job

• To ensure the delivery of high profile, national PR coverage for Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, across print, digital and broadcast channels.

• Working with the External Communications Lead to help develop and implement a key PR and Communications Strategy to increase overall public awareness of the Trust, it's work, patients and staff.

• To promote the Trust's key clinical areas, ensuring that a proactive approach is taken to identifying strong stories, and the communication output supports and reinforces the Trust's brand and key messages.

• To lead on issues and proactive projects drawing in support from the wider team as needed to formulate strategy for proactive, reactive media and crisis communications issues.

• To proactively help manage the Trust's reputation. This could include identifying reputational risks for the Trust, drafting or advising on reactive media statements, providing advice to senior stakeholders, and leading on developing communications plans.

• To initiate and develop good working relationships with journalists, editors and programme makers at all levels of the media. This will include briefing and conducting meetings with senior journalists to build strong contacts and create positive, ongoing relationships.

About us

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust's mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.