Senior Communications Officer (XN05)

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Senior Communications Officer

Reports to: Marketing and Communications Manager

Accountable to: Head of Business Development and Innovation

Band: 5

Unit/Department: Research and Innovation

Location : Trust Headquarters

AFC Job No: 2979

2. JOB PURPOSE

The post holder will be an integral part of the communications team responsible for supporting the delivery of an effective internal and external communications service to support Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the delivery of its vision, goals and objectives.

This post covers the whole range of communications functions, providing the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of work.

The post holder will have responsibility for supporting junior members of the team in their assimilation into the Trust, their awareness of the Trust and issues that require communications support, as well as aspects of their training and professional development.

The post has specific responsibility for maintaining corporate content on the Trust public website and for developing a strategy for improving the website to match current best practice in presenting content. This will involve collaborative working with the Trust IT web development team on an on-going basis and having a working understanding of the content management system.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will support and manage communications activity in a wide range of project areas, including internal and external communications (media and stakeholder relations), digital communications, campaigns, events and projects.

The post holder will develop appropriate systems and processes within the communications team and will be responsible for maintenance of these systems, especially in relation to patient and public-focussed digital content. The post holder will ensure that digital information increasingly supports public confidence and patients experience of our services. Information from these systems will also be used in the content of reports to CSU triumvirates, to the Board and Executive team and will be used to inform continuous improvement. The post holder will have responsibility for working with senior colleagues in these areas to facilitate improvement.

The post holder will be responsible for providing training and supervision for Trust staff in the use of social media and for proactively identifying, writing and posting content to the Trust corporate accounts including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The post holder will also be responsible for evaluation ensuring that the communications team have a clear picture of traditional and social media activity that can be used to inform decision-making and progress against agreed KPIs.

A key aspect of the work will be to liaise with senior colleagues in clinical services to develop appropriate strategies for CSU communications that support local communications and engagement and identify good practice, examples and case studies for use in corporate communications.

4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Educated to degree level in a related subject or equivalent experience in a PR and communications field.

Knowledge and experience of key communications and PR procedures.

Knowledge and experience of working with the media with an understanding of how the media works, experience of handling media enquiries and writing press releases.

Knowledge and experience of setting up and maintaining robust office administration systems such as forward planning, databases etc.

Knowledge of social media channels and experience of using them corporately for a large organisation, identifying and writing material in the appropriate tone.

Knowledge of print, production and design principals and processes.

Experience of implementing internal and external communications action plans.

Experience of working to and meeting tight deadlines.

Experience of writing material for different audiences and formats.

Experience of using content management systems

Experience of writing for and updating corporate websites including ensuring appropriate use of design.

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

7. CORE BEHAVIOUR AND SKILLS

Please see Person Specification

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Please see Person Specification

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Communications and engagement

Take a lead role in the operational delivery of a range of internal and external Trust corporate communications including writing and producing stakeholder publications, electronic staff bulletins; intranet content; developing screen savers; organising and managing staff events and using social media to engage and promote staff.

Develop and maintain processes, procedures and databases that underpin the efficient running of the communications team including internal and external databases; media monitoring and evaluation systems; forward planning systems; stakeholder database, style guide; social media password management; consent forms and visitor access forms etc. Manage, maintain and control use of display equipment such as banner stands and display boards.

Research, write, edit and produce a range of communications materials including press releases; newsletters; leaflets; posters; patient information; briefings; social media content; website content etc.

Commission and brief design and print contractors in the production of communications materials, ensuring projects meet budget constraints

Develop and implement communications plans for key events and campaigns in line with organisational objectives

Advise staff and colleagues of the uses of the NHS corporate identity and use of the Trusts branding guidelines.

Liaise with the media and co-ordinate news and documentary filming opportunities, ensuring Trust policies and protocols are adhered to, and ensuring recorded content supports the strategic aim to develop public confidence in the Trust and the NHS

Provide advice and support to staff around all aspects of media in particular the use of social and digital media.

Monitor and evaluate the Trusts media relations and social media activity producing regular reports and information on content, tone and progress.

Provide communications and media support as required in the event of a major incident or issue management.

Provide a professional and customer focused communications service ensuring confidentiality of patient and staff information at all times

Develop and build strong working relationships internally and externally with partners.

Mentor and support junior members of the team, providing training to allow the development of new skills

Digital Communications

Manage and support a range of digital communications including writing, editing and distributing electronic briefings, intranet content; web content and the Trusts social media channels.

Oversee the creation and maintenance of all Trust social media channels and advise, train and support staff on their use

Provide leadership to staff in digital content, embedding digital best practice principles and ways of working

Overall responsibility for ensuring a high quality and engaging corporate website that maintains a consistent style, including the development of microsites

Use analytics to identify areas for development and the improvement and understanding of audience behaviours and needs

Plan, edit and create video content for use online and within presentations

Use the Trust YouTube channel, ensuring content is co-ordinated logically and easily accessible for users

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Patient and Public Involvement

The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.

Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a related subject or equivalent experience in a PR and communications field.

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of key communications and PR procedures
• Knowledge and experience of working with the media with an understanding of how the media works, experience of handling media enquiries and writing press releases
• Knowledge and experience of setting up and maintaining robust office administration systems such as forward planning, databases etc.
• Knowledge of social media channels and experience of using them corporately for a large organisation, identifying and writing material in the appropriate tone
• Knowledge of print, production and design principals and processes
• Experience of implementing internal and external communications action plans.
• Experience of working to and meeting tight deadlines
• Experience of writing material for different audiences and formats
• Experience of using content management systems
• Experience of writing for and updating corporate websites including ensuring appropriate use of design.

Desirable

• Experience of writing briefings for visits, events and issue management.
• Experience of working with patients and patient groups.

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Able to work to tight timescales and deadlines.
• Constantly striving to improve services
• Highly developed computer skills
• Ability to interpret information in the development of media or communications materials.
• Invests time to understand the needs, priorities and goals of others they are working with
• Acts professionally and with integrity at all times
• Able to manage systems and process to enable the operating of an effective communications department.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Seeks accurate information and avoid jumping to conclusion
• Respects confidentiality and confidences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships
• Confident and resilient
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and organisational skills

Desirable

• Awareness and sensitivity to the external political environment.

Practical Skills or Additional Requirements

Essential

• A can do attitude
• Friendly, professional and outgoing manner
• Mature, flexible and co-operative approach
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).