Job summary
If you are the type of person who thrives working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same, then the position of Senior Communications Officer could be perfect for you. We are seeking someone to be part of our multi-talented and forward-thinking Communications team. The successful candidates will join a dynamic team, crowned winners in the NHS Communicate Awards 2022 for Board Commitment to Communications.
You will bring strategic thinking to deliver effective communications outputs for internal and external audiences, using a broad range of skills and the ability to write engaging and well-structured copy for a range of publications, possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to contribute meaningfully to communications discussions, and identify communication requirements through relationships you build with internal stakeholders at all levels in the organisation.
You will be able to understand the bigger picture, clearly explain complex issues to a variety of stakeholders, be adept developing impactful key messages and have the confidence to provide constructive challenge where needed.
This post will suit individuals who have great attention to detail in their work, are highly organised, flexible, and able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
Please note that although this role is fixed term, there is a possibility it may become permanent in the future.
Main duties of the job
To oversee all internal communication channels including written communications, internal briefings, multimedia activity, and the Trust intranet.
Plan, implement and measure internal and external campaigns.
Respond to media enquiries, brief journalists, write press releases, internal and external material.
Advise senior managers and directors on the course of action to take with the media, how to approach media interviews, and the most appropriate internal communications approach.
The successful candidate will be educated to degree level in an appropriate specialist discipline or have relevant experience in public relations, journalism or within an in-house communications team setting. There may be occasional weekend and evening work.
About us
Choose Well - Choose WWL
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
On-Call
Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal and External Communications
To act as first port of call for enquiries to the Trust from the media on a wide range of issues relating to the Trust.
- Deputise for the Head of Communications as
- Work with the Head of Communications and the team to manage the Trusts media relations service, responding in a timely and accurate manner to journalist, briefing journalists on sensitive and contentious issues and providing support to the Head of Communications and assistance to other staff in responding to media requests.
- Make daily decisions under pressure on media
- To maintain the public confidence of stakeholders, by responding in a timely, accurate and effective manner to negative news or events.
- Advise senior managers and directors on the course of action to take with the media and how to approach media interviews.
- Maintain the good reputation of the organisation by identifying, researching and writing regular good news stories for the local, regional, trade/professional and national
- Provide accurate monthly media monitoring and reporting, and daily communications
- Enhance the profile of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for staff, patients, and the public through clear and measurable communications strategies and campaigns.
- Commission, write, edit, proof-read, co-ordinate and manage complex publications and channels including press releases and statements, e-communications, external and internal newsletters, stakeholder updates and other corporate materials.
- To oversee all internal communication channels including but not limited to WWL News, Leaders Forum, Townhall Event (all staff), Chief Executive updates and global emails ensuring consistency of message and quality of communication.
- To assist the Head of Communications or act as lead on corporate events such as official openings, stakeholder and promotional events including VIP visits.
- Measure, review and advise on existing internal and external communications channels and processes and develop recommendations for improvements.
- Support award submissions by the Trust, individual staff members and
- Maintain and update the Trusts social media
- Work closely with the Patient Engagement team and Staff Engagement team to ensure effective management and synchronisation of the internal and external message.
- Maintain good stakeholder relationships and engagement using a variety of communications methods across the sectors locally, regionally, and
- Be responsible for leading on internal and external communications
- Undertake other duties, which are consistent with the post, as directed by the Head of Communications
Intranet, Internet and multi-media
- Responsible for writing content for web pages as
- To manage the operational delivery of the trust intranet and internet, responsible for ensuring that information is relevant, easy to access and up to date.
- To ensure that all staff can access the Intranet both in work and from their mobile device via the APP.
- Facilitate other departments to manage their intranet and internet content whilst ensuring consistent messaging, quality control and continued interest.
- Provides basic support to other team members with regard to photography, graphics and multimedia
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal and External Communications
To act as first port of call for enquiries to the Trust from the media on a wide range of issues relating to the Trust.
- Deputise for the Head of Communications as
- Work with the Head of Communications and the team to manage the Trusts media relations service, responding in a timely and accurate manner to journalist, briefing journalists on sensitive and contentious issues and providing support to the Head of Communications and assistance to other staff in responding to media requests.
- Make daily decisions under pressure on media
- To maintain the public confidence of stakeholders, by responding in a timely, accurate and effective manner to negative news or events.
- Advise senior managers and directors on the course of action to take with the media and how to approach media interviews.
- Maintain the good reputation of the organisation by identifying, researching and writing regular good news stories for the local, regional, trade/professional and national
- Provide accurate monthly media monitoring and reporting, and daily communications
- Enhance the profile of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for staff, patients, and the public through clear and measurable communications strategies and campaigns.
- Commission, write, edit, proof-read, co-ordinate and manage complex publications and channels including press releases and statements, e-communications, external and internal newsletters, stakeholder updates and other corporate materials.
- To oversee all internal communication channels including but not limited to WWL News, Leaders Forum, Townhall Event (all staff), Chief Executive updates and global emails ensuring consistency of message and quality of communication.
- To assist the Head of Communications or act as lead on corporate events such as official openings, stakeholder and promotional events including VIP visits.
- Measure, review and advise on existing internal and external communications channels and processes and develop recommendations for improvements.
- Support award submissions by the Trust, individual staff members and
- Maintain and update the Trusts social media
- Work closely with the Patient Engagement team and Staff Engagement team to ensure effective management and synchronisation of the internal and external message.
- Maintain good stakeholder relationships and engagement using a variety of communications methods across the sectors locally, regionally, and
- Be responsible for leading on internal and external communications
- Undertake other duties, which are consistent with the post, as directed by the Head of Communications
Intranet, Internet and multi-media
- Responsible for writing content for web pages as
- To manage the operational delivery of the trust intranet and internet, responsible for ensuring that information is relevant, easy to access and up to date.
- To ensure that all staff can access the Intranet both in work and from their mobile device via the APP.
- Facilitate other departments to manage their intranet and internet content whilst ensuring consistent messaging, quality control and continued interest.
- Provides basic support to other team members with regard to photography, graphics and multimedia
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in public relations, communications marketing or journalism or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Website design or graphic design qualification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum three years senior professional experience in a communications or marketing environment
- Experience of dealing with the media and using social media channels
- Able to work under direction and/or on own initiative and prioritise accordingly
- Copy writing and proof reading of material for internal and external audiences and writing press releases and response statements oEvent and campaign management
- Proven experience of delivering to tight deadlines and working with confidential and sensitive material
- Experience of dealing with staff at different levels
Desirable
- Over three years relevant experience working within communications or marketing, public relations or media environment
- Experience of working in the NHS
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills - both written and oral and a confident communicator with good interpersonal skills
- Assertive and able to deal with colleagues, patients and stakeholders at all levels and able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels and deal sensitively with confidential information and to be empathetic
- Ability to analyse and make judgement on a range of facts and situations and to exercise initiative and work to strict/tight deadlines whilst remaining calm
- Computer literate with high level of IT skills
- Excellent organisational skills and able to prioritise and thorough, methodical and strong attention to detail, self-motivated, resourceful, proactive and innovative with a creative approach to problem solving
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes
- Knowledge and understanding or communications and marketing terminology and requirements and press and news and social media
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of current Government policy in health
- Experience of working effectively within a complex multi-site corporate environment
- Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
Additional
Essential
- Professional/presentable appearance
- Punctual with excellent timekeeping
- Motivated and resourceful
- Ability to use own initiative
- Able to work autonomously or within a team and manage own workload
- The ability to respond to regular interruptions and work well under pressure
- Able to maintain high standards of diplomacy and confidentiality
Desirable
- Flexibility and ability to work outside normal working hours if required
- Full UK Driving Licence holder with access to a car/Independent travel between Trust sites
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in public relations, communications marketing or journalism or equivalent relevant experience
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Website design or graphic design qualification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum three years senior professional experience in a communications or marketing environment
- Experience of dealing with the media and using social media channels
- Able to work under direction and/or on own initiative and prioritise accordingly
- Copy writing and proof reading of material for internal and external audiences and writing press releases and response statements oEvent and campaign management
- Proven experience of delivering to tight deadlines and working with confidential and sensitive material
- Experience of dealing with staff at different levels
Desirable
- Over three years relevant experience working within communications or marketing, public relations or media environment
- Experience of working in the NHS
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills - both written and oral and a confident communicator with good interpersonal skills
- Assertive and able to deal with colleagues, patients and stakeholders at all levels and able to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels and deal sensitively with confidential information and to be empathetic
- Ability to analyse and make judgement on a range of facts and situations and to exercise initiative and work to strict/tight deadlines whilst remaining calm
- Computer literate with high level of IT skills
- Excellent organisational skills and able to prioritise and thorough, methodical and strong attention to detail, self-motivated, resourceful, proactive and innovative with a creative approach to problem solving
Desirable
Knowledge
Essential
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes
- Knowledge and understanding or communications and marketing terminology and requirements and press and news and social media
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of current Government policy in health
- Experience of working effectively within a complex multi-site corporate environment
- Knowledge of Trust policies and procedures
Additional
Essential
- Professional/presentable appearance
- Punctual with excellent timekeeping
- Motivated and resourceful
- Ability to use own initiative
- Able to work autonomously or within a team and manage own workload
- The ability to respond to regular interruptions and work well under pressure
- Able to maintain high standards of diplomacy and confidentiality
Desirable
- Flexibility and ability to work outside normal working hours if required
- Full UK Driving Licence holder with access to a car/Independent travel between Trust sites
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.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Trust Headquarters, RAEI
Wigan Lane
Wigan
WN1 2NN
Employer's website
http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
