Job summary
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust is looking for a Communication Officer to support the project management and the communications and engagement work for our exciting Making Life Better Together programme. We aspire to be a great place to work and receive care and this post plays a leading role in this Trust-wide culture change programme which impacts on the lives of our patients, staff and local communities, embedding our values into behaviours throughout all our work.
Career progression pathways and development opportunities
We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have career pathways available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress into other roles across different specialties.
Main duties of the job
Working with a Communications Manager, they will lead and be accountable for the project management and the communications and engagement for the programme, providing advice, expertise, evaluation and leadership. The post holder will also support on our internal communication work and the development of internal communications channels.
Working closely with the MLBT project board you will support the creation of a coherent, compelling strategic narrative and engagement plan that develops the next steps for the programme and promotes the Trust as a great place to work and receive care.
This is a great opportunity, for someone with the right level of experience and skills, to make a big difference to the lives of our patients, staff and local communications in South West London.
It is envisaged that the future ways of working will be agile working, with 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home (subject to change and service demand).
Agile and flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible and agile working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage.
About us
About our locations:
Tooting (Wandsworth)
Our Trust headquarters is located within the impressive grounds of Springfield University Hospital in Tooting and we also operate in nearly 100 other locations throughout the UK. This is easily accessible via the Northern Line (Tooting Bec Station) and via private transport. The Trust provides subsidised parking fares for all our substantive staff. Our main site is located immediately next to Tooting High Street where staff can easily access a range of shops, cafs and restaurants.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Making Lives Better Together and internal communications:
- To support the work of the MLBT programme working alongside the MLBT communications manager
- To engage people about next steps for MLBT and support the development and delivery of the MLBT strategy and action plan and campaigns.
- To support and develop internal communications via our internal communications channels
- To assist in the planning of publicity and awareness campaigns including time specific/seasonal campaigns e.g. flu, staff survey, mental health month, etc.
- Develop and maintain relationships with people across the organisation and ensure that the diverse stories of our teams, patients and carers are reflected in our communications
- Support key engagement programmes, for example taking the lead for the monthly staff awards and supporting the Quality Awards
- Support key internal communications channels, for example the all staff sessions and the promotion of core communications materials across the Trust.
- To support external and internal events, including booking venues, organising invitations, taking minutes and maintaining a log of attendees and feedback.
InSite
- To upload information to the staff intranet and be responsible for the production of articles and distribution of the weekly staff e-bulletin.
- To lead on ensuring the Trusts website and intranet stay fresh, up-to-date and are continually refreshed using the online content management system, working with colleagues across the Trust as necessary.
- To act as a web editor for uploading content to the Trust intranet and website.
- To maintain the pages which are the responsibility of the Department as specified by the line manager.
- To upload regularly any new or changed content supplied by other web editors and to issue an email digest of all items (from the department and from other web editors) to trust staff.
- To ensure that links (internal and external) are working. To alert other members of the department and other web editors as appropriate to any problems or difficulties with the sites content or operation.
- Use website analytics tools to assess the effectiveness of the platforms or content
Social media
- As part of the communications team, support the day to day updating of the Trusts social media planner and platforms under the direction of the Corporate Communications Manager (Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite and YouTube) including recording and reporting regular information and trends on followers and likes.
- Working with others in the communication team, support the development of our digital channels
- To provide advice to colleagues on the use of the intranet, website and social media platforms in line with the Trusts policy on the use of social media.
Publications and content
- To work within the communications team to support the production of publicity material by copywriting, proofreading and liaising with external designers, printers etc.
- To support the production of letters, reports and other documents as required by the team.
- To help research and draft material for publication by the department, supporting other members of the department and working with managers across the trust.
Administration
- To act as the first point of contact for enquiries about MLBT and internal communications and support enquiries to the communications team more generally, dealing with enquiries in a professional, diplomatic and timely manner.
- To contribute and keep up to date the Trusts Forward Look a diary of forthcoming activity and events.
- To support the maintenance and update appropriate contact lists and databases of key stakeholders and plans for the Communications team and other corporate functions.
- To carry out general office duties including arranging meetings, raising requisitions, sourcing quotes, processing invoices, stock control, ordering office supplies and other goods using the e-procurement system.
Communication and Relationships
- The postholder will be in possession of complex, confidential and sensitive information and will need to be able to influence and persuade senior colleagues on an appropriate communications approach.
- The postholder will often have to deal with difficult messages and hostile audiences in a way that promotes Trust values and behaviours with regard to respect, openness and challenge.
- The postholder will need to develop effective relationships with key audiences, be able to brief members of the executive and respond promptly and appropriately to enquiries.
- To use specialist knowledge to provide colleagues across the Trust with communications advice and guidance.
- To develop good working relationships with communication colleagues in partner NHS organisations and other agencies to ensure joint working opportunities are maximised.
- To assist in the organisation of the public relations element of high-profile public events, such as ministerial visits and openings of new facilities and services.
Policy and Service Development
- To ensure all communications activity is in line with the Trusts communications strategy which supports and delivers the Trusts vision and corporate objectives.
- To ensure all materials produced are consistent with the Trusts corporate identity and brand and meet corporate identity guidelines.
- To ensure any photography adheres to copyright regulations and is carried out in line with trust policy in terms of consent.
Information Resources
- To assist in the preparation of reports and, where necessary, attend relevant meetings to deliver those reports and advise on media and communications issues.
- To assist in preparing briefings for external stakeholders in respect of updating them on complex issues.
- To analyse statistical data to inform the development of strategies, plans and reports.
- To undertake audits, surveys and utilise other feedback techniques to evaluate the communications function both internally and externally.
- To assist in the production of key corporate documents, including the Annual Report.
Finance
- To assist the Commutations and Engagement Manager in dealing with financial paperwork, such as purchase orders and invoices, ensuring they are accurately coded and recorded.
- To commission and brief photographers, designers, printers, and other external suppliers; ensuring that expenditure stays within agreed budget.
- To ensure administrative and financial integrity as expected within a public sector organisation following Trust and national guidance.
Research and Development
- To be responsible for keeping up to date with best practice and new techniques in communications.
- To keep up to date with national policy, new health initiatives and partner organisations strategies and plans and how these impact locally on the Trust, particularly in relation to any specific mental health policy developments.
Training and Development
- To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
- To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Making Lives Better Together and internal communications:
- To support the work of the MLBT programme working alongside the MLBT communications manager
- To engage people about next steps for MLBT and support the development and delivery of the MLBT strategy and action plan and campaigns.
- To support and develop internal communications via our internal communications channels
- To assist in the planning of publicity and awareness campaigns including time specific/seasonal campaigns e.g. flu, staff survey, mental health month, etc.
- Develop and maintain relationships with people across the organisation and ensure that the diverse stories of our teams, patients and carers are reflected in our communications
- Support key engagement programmes, for example taking the lead for the monthly staff awards and supporting the Quality Awards
- Support key internal communications channels, for example the all staff sessions and the promotion of core communications materials across the Trust.
- To support external and internal events, including booking venues, organising invitations, taking minutes and maintaining a log of attendees and feedback.
InSite
- To upload information to the staff intranet and be responsible for the production of articles and distribution of the weekly staff e-bulletin.
- To lead on ensuring the Trusts website and intranet stay fresh, up-to-date and are continually refreshed using the online content management system, working with colleagues across the Trust as necessary.
- To act as a web editor for uploading content to the Trust intranet and website.
- To maintain the pages which are the responsibility of the Department as specified by the line manager.
- To upload regularly any new or changed content supplied by other web editors and to issue an email digest of all items (from the department and from other web editors) to trust staff.
- To ensure that links (internal and external) are working. To alert other members of the department and other web editors as appropriate to any problems or difficulties with the sites content or operation.
- Use website analytics tools to assess the effectiveness of the platforms or content
Social media
- As part of the communications team, support the day to day updating of the Trusts social media planner and platforms under the direction of the Corporate Communications Manager (Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite and YouTube) including recording and reporting regular information and trends on followers and likes.
- Working with others in the communication team, support the development of our digital channels
- To provide advice to colleagues on the use of the intranet, website and social media platforms in line with the Trusts policy on the use of social media.
Publications and content
- To work within the communications team to support the production of publicity material by copywriting, proofreading and liaising with external designers, printers etc.
- To support the production of letters, reports and other documents as required by the team.
- To help research and draft material for publication by the department, supporting other members of the department and working with managers across the trust.
Administration
- To act as the first point of contact for enquiries about MLBT and internal communications and support enquiries to the communications team more generally, dealing with enquiries in a professional, diplomatic and timely manner.
- To contribute and keep up to date the Trusts Forward Look a diary of forthcoming activity and events.
- To support the maintenance and update appropriate contact lists and databases of key stakeholders and plans for the Communications team and other corporate functions.
- To carry out general office duties including arranging meetings, raising requisitions, sourcing quotes, processing invoices, stock control, ordering office supplies and other goods using the e-procurement system.
Communication and Relationships
- The postholder will be in possession of complex, confidential and sensitive information and will need to be able to influence and persuade senior colleagues on an appropriate communications approach.
- The postholder will often have to deal with difficult messages and hostile audiences in a way that promotes Trust values and behaviours with regard to respect, openness and challenge.
- The postholder will need to develop effective relationships with key audiences, be able to brief members of the executive and respond promptly and appropriately to enquiries.
- To use specialist knowledge to provide colleagues across the Trust with communications advice and guidance.
- To develop good working relationships with communication colleagues in partner NHS organisations and other agencies to ensure joint working opportunities are maximised.
- To assist in the organisation of the public relations element of high-profile public events, such as ministerial visits and openings of new facilities and services.
Policy and Service Development
- To ensure all communications activity is in line with the Trusts communications strategy which supports and delivers the Trusts vision and corporate objectives.
- To ensure all materials produced are consistent with the Trusts corporate identity and brand and meet corporate identity guidelines.
- To ensure any photography adheres to copyright regulations and is carried out in line with trust policy in terms of consent.
Information Resources
- To assist in the preparation of reports and, where necessary, attend relevant meetings to deliver those reports and advise on media and communications issues.
- To assist in preparing briefings for external stakeholders in respect of updating them on complex issues.
- To analyse statistical data to inform the development of strategies, plans and reports.
- To undertake audits, surveys and utilise other feedback techniques to evaluate the communications function both internally and externally.
- To assist in the production of key corporate documents, including the Annual Report.
Finance
- To assist the Commutations and Engagement Manager in dealing with financial paperwork, such as purchase orders and invoices, ensuring they are accurately coded and recorded.
- To commission and brief photographers, designers, printers, and other external suppliers; ensuring that expenditure stays within agreed budget.
- To ensure administrative and financial integrity as expected within a public sector organisation following Trust and national guidance.
Research and Development
- To be responsible for keeping up to date with best practice and new techniques in communications.
- To keep up to date with national policy, new health initiatives and partner organisations strategies and plans and how these impact locally on the Trust, particularly in relation to any specific mental health policy developments.
Training and Development
- To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy.
- To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
- To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to degree level in relevant subject (journalism, English, media, PR) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working in a communications or engagement specialist area
- oEvidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- oProfessional qualification in communications e.g. CIPR
Experience
Essential
- oWorking in the field of communications/public relations preferably within a large and complex organisation
- oStakeholder liaison
- oWriting and producing a broad range of communications materials, including press releases
Desirable
- oNHS experience, i.e. knowledge of the NHS, its business and how it impacts on patient care
- oExperience of working in mental health
- oExperience of working with content management systems
- oExperience of writing and editing for website and intranets
- oExperience in crisis management
- oExperience in engagement and co-production
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to degree level in relevant subject (journalism, English, media, PR) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working in a communications or engagement specialist area
- oEvidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- oProfessional qualification in communications e.g. CIPR
Experience
Essential
- oWorking in the field of communications/public relations preferably within a large and complex organisation
- oStakeholder liaison
- oWriting and producing a broad range of communications materials, including press releases
Desirable
- oNHS experience, i.e. knowledge of the NHS, its business and how it impacts on patient care
- oExperience of working in mental health
- oExperience of working with content management systems
- oExperience of writing and editing for website and intranets
- oExperience in crisis management
- oExperience in engagement and co-production
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).
