Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Band 7 Communications Manager

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a creative and dynamic communications lead to help develop the special educational needs and disability and alternative provision (SEND AP) communications strategy across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The area of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is one of nine regional pilots across the country, testing a package of transformational changes to improve health and care provision as part of the DfEs SEND and AP Improvement Plan- please see the link attached to this advert.

You will play a key part in this national change programme.

You will work closely with a number of Change Programme Partners (CPP), mobilising partner organisations to be engaged in new SEND AP initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to work in a collaborative way, to develop a multi-dimensional communications and engagement strategy that influences ways of working and service improvements.

In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside inspirational individuals and organisations who are transforming SEND and alternative provision across LLR.

Meanwhile, at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, we offer a supportive, innovative and dynamic work environment. You will work within the communication team and report into the Change Programme team, getting the best of both worlds. This is an ideal secondment opportunity.

Main duties of the job

Your role will be to ensure that all partners and stakeholders receive appropriate, timely and consistent communications for each stage of the Programme.

This will help to ensure engagement and participation of SEND service partners and the SEND community, support reputation management, patient and public involvement and celebration of success at local, regional and national level.

The communication lead and other key Change members will form a communications group to enact the work. They will utilise existing communications channels and resources to support the work within the Change Programme, as well support the development of new channels as needed.

You will also be the primary point of contact with the media, researching and writing media releases and statements both proactively and reactively. Your ability to stimulate, facilitate and capture stories and the voice of children and young people will be another key element of this role.

Our benefits include flexible working, free parking on all Trust sites, a generous annual leave package (27-33 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, dependent on service), a comprehensive health and wellbeing package and staff support groups.

About us

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) provides a range of community health, mental health and learning disability services for people of all ages. Delivered through over 100 settings from inpatient wards to out in the community, our 6,500 staff serves over 1 million people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Here at LPT, our values are Compassion, Respect, Integrity and Trust, which we keep at the heart of everything we do.

We aim to develop a workforce that reflects our community. We actively implement equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and seek people who share our commitment. We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups.

Details of our benefits, leadership behaviours and other important information are contained in the attached document titled Information for Applicants.

We will consider requests to work alternative hours or varied working patterns in line with our flexible working policy.

For all substantive roles, new staff (excluding medical staff) are appointed subject to a 6-month probationary period (see Probation Policy).

All jobs will require permission to work in the UK.

For all jobs the cost of any DBS disclosure required will be met by the individual. This will be deducted from salary once started.

Applicants at risk within the local NHS who meet essential criteria will have preference for interview.

Date posted

30 May 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,068 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9313-24-0783

Job locations

County Hall

Leicester Road

Glenfield

Leicester

LE3 8RA

Job description

Job responsibilities

If you like what you've read and would like more information on the duties and responsibilities of this role, please click onto the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

Job description

Job responsibilities

If you like what you've read and would like more information on the duties and responsibilities of this role, please click onto the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working in a senior communications role with the NHS or public sector
Experience of strategic planning, project management and staff leadership
Significant experience of working with the press and broadcast media and direct briefing of journalists
Significant experience of managing reputational issues through social media

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
Educated to post graduate diploma or equivalent experience in communications work
Qualification and/or equivalent experience in communications work

Mobility

Essential

Own transport or suitable alternative

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Planning and implementing communications plans and campaigns in support of projects, consultations and service developments
Ability to research, write, edit, proof read and commission design and print for a range of communications, including media releases, newsletters, staff briefings, public and internal reports
Ability to analyse and judge complex facts and information for inclusion in communications in a way that is appropriate to the audience and maintains the reputation of the organisation
Excellent planning and organisational skills in order to work to strict deadlines, achieve objectives, co-ordinate and prioritise several tasks concurrently
Knowledge of website/intranet content management systems and ability to manage website content.
Knowledge of developing social media channels and reputation management of these
High level of IT competency including Microsoft Office products and advanced keyboard skills for designing publications and presentations
Knowledge of information sources for research and scanning purposes and ability to analyse information.
Confidence in dealing with members of the public and in presenting information to groups.
Negotiation with and commissioning from external agencies and third parties.
Training of other staff to undertake specific duties related to the scope of this post e.g. agency staff and web publishers.
Good knowledge of the wider health and social care community, with a good understanding of current NHS issues

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working in a senior communications role with the NHS or public sector
Experience of strategic planning, project management and staff leadership
Significant experience of working with the press and broadcast media and direct briefing of journalists
Significant experience of managing reputational issues through social media

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
Educated to post graduate diploma or equivalent experience in communications work
Qualification and/or equivalent experience in communications work

Mobility

Essential

Own transport or suitable alternative

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Planning and implementing communications plans and campaigns in support of projects, consultations and service developments
Ability to research, write, edit, proof read and commission design and print for a range of communications, including media releases, newsletters, staff briefings, public and internal reports
Ability to analyse and judge complex facts and information for inclusion in communications in a way that is appropriate to the audience and maintains the reputation of the organisation
Excellent planning and organisational skills in order to work to strict deadlines, achieve objectives, co-ordinate and prioritise several tasks concurrently
Knowledge of website/intranet content management systems and ability to manage website content.
Knowledge of developing social media channels and reputation management of these
High level of IT competency including Microsoft Office products and advanced keyboard skills for designing publications and presentations
Knowledge of information sources for research and scanning purposes and ability to analyse information.
Confidence in dealing with members of the public and in presenting information to groups.
Negotiation with and commissioning from external agencies and third parties.
Training of other staff to undertake specific duties related to the scope of this post e.g. agency staff and web publishers.
Good knowledge of the wider health and social care community, with a good understanding of current NHS issues

Employer details

Employer name

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

County Hall

Leicester Road

Glenfield

Leicester

LE3 8RA

Employer's website

https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

County Hall

Leicester Road

Glenfield

Leicester

LE3 8RA

Employer's website

https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)