WYAAT Communications Manager (XN07)

Job responsibilities

Be the professional lead for all aspects of communication on behalf of WYAAT, bringing innovation, ideas and energy to the communications work of the partnership and identifying opportunities to promote the work to the numerous stakeholders. Provide communications, media and reputation management advice to WYAAT programme managers

Advise and make recommendations to Board members and other senior personnel on appropriate communications approaches for complex and sensitive information

Working closely with the Trust communications leads, lead the development and implementation of an effective internal and external communications strategy for WYAAT including stakeholder management, internal communications, external communications, thought leadership, digital and social media.

Develop and deliver, in partnership with the communications leads and programme leads, proactive marketing communications strategies for the work of WYAAT and its key programmes and projects.

Build a strong narrative around the work of WYAAT for all stakeholder groups and create a suite of marketing communications materials to support this and bring it to life.

Build strong working relationships with all communications leads in each organisation and ensure that all partner trusts are both involved in and own the strategy. Support Trusts to successfully implement and communicate the strategy in a coordinated manner.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the WY&H HCP communications team to ensure effective two-way communications and to ensure consistent messaging across the ICS and WYAAT.

Work with communications leads and project/programme leads to ensure effective communication of key programme information at all levels across the organisations involved.

Use existing and emerging digital technologies to maximise communications reach and impact.

Lead on all communication and engagement activities for WYAAT, including events, consultations etc working through with local teams and national bodies as appropriate.

Lead the development and implementation of all content for communication and engagement activity including the WYAAT website, annual reports, highlight reports, blogs, media releases, case studies, film, social media, and stakeholder briefings etc.

Identify proactive media opportunities, patient and staff stories and experience to ensure the programmes aims are heard, understood and relevant.

Lead and provide communications advice and guidance on specific WYAAT programmes, ensuring that the teams are supported to undertake appropriate and timely communications and the trust communications leads are kept up to date and involved.

Formulate communication plans providing expert advice where opinions may differ, with impact across the WYAAT trusts and support to associated organisations

Receive highly complex and sensitive information such as proposals around service change, clinical trends and modelling etc. and interpret this information into more user-friendly formats and present it to different internal/external stakeholder groups

Manage potentially difficult/conflicting situations with staff and stakeholders within change programmes for successful outcomes

Chair the WYAAT communications sub-committee to ensure a proactive and managed approach to the work programme is in place and there are effective communications across the organisations and the programme.

Identify and maximise opportunities to build on national announcements and developments by showcasing the work of WYAAT and key people leading the work.

Link with managers and clinical members of other initiatives to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment with the messaging of WYAAT. Have a good understanding of the changing landscape of decision makers and influencers.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of leading and managing communications activity in a senior communications / Engagement /PR role in a complex public, private or voluntary sector environment.
• Significant experience in a highly regulated environment.
• Expertise, underpinned by demonstrable experience, in the following: Press relations and PR, including designing and project managing media campaigns Media handling both proactive and reactive
• Evidence of developing creative communications, marketing and engagement initiatives
• Evidence of developing and maintaining successful working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of providing expert advice on communications and engagement issues at senior levels
• Track record of success and delivery in communications roles including strategic development and delivery
• Experience of successfully leading complex multi-dimensional communication and engagement initiatives development.
• The confidence to question information and explanations supplied by others, who may be experts in their field
• Experience of working with and influencing in a political environment.

Desirable

• Experience of working on large scale change or with a national profile
• Experience of financial management, budgeting and monitoring

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Excellent highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent inter-personal, verbal and written communication skills
• Listens to concerns or complaints.
• Highly responsive to requests for help.
• Constantly striving to improve services.
• Helps others to resolve problems and address issues.
• Ensures decisions are communicated to others who need to know.
• Invests time to understand the needs, priorities and goals of others they are working with.
• Acts professionally and with integrity at all times.
• Considerate of other peoples views.
• Honest, respectful and professional in all interactions.
• Delivers on commitments and promises.
• Seeks accurate information and avoid jumping to conclusions.
• Respects confidentiality and confidences
• Understands how their work is contributing to the wider WYAAT strategy.

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate a sound understanding of acute providers, their issues and opportunities

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Master level or equivalent demonstrable experience

Practical Skills or Additional Requirements

Essential

• Evidence of putting patients first, listening and learning, openness and transparency, inclusivity, using evidence and striving for improvement - practicing the values and behaviours of the NHS Consti
• Ability to influence and persuade others articulating a balanced view and provide constructive challenge and feedback
• Track record of strong commitment to active partnership working, stakeholder management and the development and sustaining a range of appropriate networks.
• Ability to develop and deliver different communications messages and formats to communicate effectively with a wide range of diverse audiences
• Ability to choose and use a range of communications and engagement methods to suit a variety of situations
• Good analytical skills with the ability to understand complex information, interpret and present it clearly and concisely
• Able to develop and implement long term strategy and policy
• Good networking skills
• Ability to manage time effectively and manage multiple and competing priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, working through differing opinions