Job summary
We have an opportunity for an experienced, enthusiastic, and ambitious Communications, Engagement and Experience Manager to join our incredibly busy Communications, Engagement and Experience Team at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust SPH and the North West Surrey Health and Care Alliance on a one year fixed term contract.
To be part of our team, you'll need bags of energy, lots of talent and the right level of experience. You'll need to be self-motivated and able to work in a fast-paced environment, where no two days are the same.
This role will be busy and varied and involve supporting the Head of CEE and Senior CEE Manager with a particular focus on internal communications and engagement, managing several projects and campaigns concurrently. Key responsibilities will include staff communications, corporate publications, event organisation, intranet management and employee experience.
In return, we will offer you a commitment to your development, the chance to really make a difference and put your skills fully into action. As part of an outstanding communications and engagement team that expands the traditional model of the NHS.
For further details, please contact Laura Creaby on laura.creaby@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
The post holder will develop key relationships and networks across a range of internal and external stakeholders.
They will inspire confidence and trust through their professional and personal capabilities and conduct, and develop proactive relationships with a broad range of key stakeholders, epitomising the values of the Trust and Alliance.
The post holder will help to manage and support communications, engagement and experience across the Trust and Alliance in alignment with the Alliance/ASPH vision, mission and aims.
They will promote the Trust's and Alliance presence, good reputation and standing and ensure that all of our communications and engagement reflect the strategic direction and are consistent with our brands.
About us
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
This is an exciting time to join our Trust, as we work on the expansion of our theatres at Ashford Hospital and move towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures; with care delivered by dedicated, specialist teams in a modern and well-equipped environment.
We hope to use this centre to create an environment of learning and to facilitate training of the next generation of our skilled NHS workforce. Our plans are ambitious - why not, come and be a part of our journey.
Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal Communications
- Work with the Senior Communications, Engagement and Experience Manager to manage the daily staff news bulletin. Plan and generate content and help colleagues throughout the ASPH and the Alliance to effectively share their messages.
- Help teams across ASPH and the Alliance with the planning and implementation of a variety of internal communications campaigns, including support with on-line surveys and questionnaires when necessary.
- Provide expert communications and engagement advice and work with external agencies to generate creative campaign material, ensuring consistency with our strategy and brand.
- Produce clear and detailed communications and engagement plans when required.
- Assist the team in supporting the Place Leaders, Chief Executive, Chair and wider board with communication and engagement activities.
Media Management
- To promote the Trust and Alliance, ensuring that a proactive approach is taken to identifying strong stories, and the communication output supports and reinforces the Trust and Alliance brand and key messages.
- To lead on issues and proactive projects drawing in support from the wider team as needed to formulate strategy for proactive, reactive media and crisis communications issues.
- To be able to coordinate visits from high profile visitors, such as government ministers, with and without media presence.
- To be able to produce excellent written work, including press releases, first person pieces, and report content, including writing to short deadlines.
- Effectively manage media enquiries and advise colleagues on the right approach in relation to media issues. Produce reactive media statements when required.
- Build strong relationships with local journalists and other relevant media, identifying new opportunities for positive PR and assist the team in delivering a proactive media strategy.
- Liaise with counterparts from partner organisations, ensuring a system approach where appropriate and negotiating to ensure there is a common approach to potentially controversial issues where opinions may differ.
- Participate in a 24/7 media on-call rota to deal with urgent media enquiries and major incidents out of hours.
Social and digital communications
- Support and develop digital thinking in the Trust/Alliance CEE Team, identify new and innovative ways to promote our work in the digital space. As part of this, this role will engage directly with digital journalists to generate online coverage of our stories and ensure there is a strong digital element to all of the Trust/Alliances media and communications work, including on social media.
- Day to day management of social media channels and development of new channels.
- Help to protect the reputation of ASPH/Alliance by managing the delivery of accurate and timely responses and content across our digital channels.
- Generate content for the intranet and website, providing advice and support on the development of high-quality digital information for staff, patients and the public.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of an ASPH/Alliance strategy and policies on the use of social media and apps.
- Plan and oversee filming and photography projects as and when required.
Event Management and Engagement
- Support with the organisation and running of internal and external events, including the drafting of speeches.
- Assist the Communication, Engagement and Experience Officer in managing the areas within the hospitals/partner organisations in terms of stands, events and external organisations visiting.
- Attend relevant external events run by partner organisations, including open days and widening participation events.
- Support with stakeholder engagement projects and ensure opportunities to strengthen relationships are exploited.
- Establish and/or develop new initiatives to broaden opportunities for people to contribute to system plans.
- Maintain and develop a structured system and programme for engagement and consultation.
- To manage and maintain a database of external relations contacts and develop regular communication channels sensitive to the needs of each audience.
- Ensure communications relating to engagement and consultation are accurate, can be easily understood and are fit for purpose.
- Develop and expand our work with representative groups (protected characteristics).
Branding, design and publications
- Work closely with the Graphic Designer, Videographer/Photographer as well as external suppliers.
- Oversee the design and production of regular corporate publications, such as the quarterly magazines, information materials, leaflets, posters, social media assets and other ad-hoc communication and engagement materials.
Other
- Deputise for the Senior Communications, Engagement and Experience Manager and Head of Communications, Engagement and Experience as required.
- Help to train and develop other, more junior members of the team.
- Be proactive in identifying opportunities for your professional development and participate in mandatory training.
- Keep abreast of professional, technological and digital best practice, methods and services that could enhance the role or team.
- Be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all patient and colleague information handled in the course of this role.
- Be responsible for ensuring that all communications adhere to all areas of the General Data Protection Regulations, Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidelines.
- Any other duties as directed by the Heads of and Director of Communications, Engagement and Experience and Place Leader/ Chief Executive which support the Trust and Alliance in the achievement of its business objectives, goals and legal obligations via effective engagement and communications.
Key working relationships will include:
Internal
Clinicians, nurses, clinical and non-clinical directors, management and administrative teams, researchers and academics, safeguarding teams, legal and FOI team, Fundraising, Membership and Patient Experience teams, communications, engagement and experience team, Executive, Non-Executive and senior management teams.
External
ASPH/Alliance patients, residents and their families, journalists, photographers, filmmakers, representatives from other NHS Trusts, other academic and research institutions, medical journals, local authorities, regional and national NHS England teams NHS England, Department of Health, and other external stakeholders patient representatives, charities and campaigning organisations.
To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal Communications
- Work with the Senior Communications, Engagement and Experience Manager to manage the daily staff news bulletin. Plan and generate content and help colleagues throughout the ASPH and the Alliance to effectively share their messages.
- Help teams across ASPH and the Alliance with the planning and implementation of a variety of internal communications campaigns, including support with on-line surveys and questionnaires when necessary.
- Provide expert communications and engagement advice and work with external agencies to generate creative campaign material, ensuring consistency with our strategy and brand.
- Produce clear and detailed communications and engagement plans when required.
- Assist the team in supporting the Place Leaders, Chief Executive, Chair and wider board with communication and engagement activities.
Media Management
- To promote the Trust and Alliance, ensuring that a proactive approach is taken to identifying strong stories, and the communication output supports and reinforces the Trust and Alliance brand and key messages.
- To lead on issues and proactive projects drawing in support from the wider team as needed to formulate strategy for proactive, reactive media and crisis communications issues.
- To be able to coordinate visits from high profile visitors, such as government ministers, with and without media presence.
- To be able to produce excellent written work, including press releases, first person pieces, and report content, including writing to short deadlines.
- Effectively manage media enquiries and advise colleagues on the right approach in relation to media issues. Produce reactive media statements when required.
- Build strong relationships with local journalists and other relevant media, identifying new opportunities for positive PR and assist the team in delivering a proactive media strategy.
- Liaise with counterparts from partner organisations, ensuring a system approach where appropriate and negotiating to ensure there is a common approach to potentially controversial issues where opinions may differ.
- Participate in a 24/7 media on-call rota to deal with urgent media enquiries and major incidents out of hours.
Social and digital communications
- Support and develop digital thinking in the Trust/Alliance CEE Team, identify new and innovative ways to promote our work in the digital space. As part of this, this role will engage directly with digital journalists to generate online coverage of our stories and ensure there is a strong digital element to all of the Trust/Alliances media and communications work, including on social media.
- Day to day management of social media channels and development of new channels.
- Help to protect the reputation of ASPH/Alliance by managing the delivery of accurate and timely responses and content across our digital channels.
- Generate content for the intranet and website, providing advice and support on the development of high-quality digital information for staff, patients and the public.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of an ASPH/Alliance strategy and policies on the use of social media and apps.
- Plan and oversee filming and photography projects as and when required.
Event Management and Engagement
- Support with the organisation and running of internal and external events, including the drafting of speeches.
- Assist the Communication, Engagement and Experience Officer in managing the areas within the hospitals/partner organisations in terms of stands, events and external organisations visiting.
- Attend relevant external events run by partner organisations, including open days and widening participation events.
- Support with stakeholder engagement projects and ensure opportunities to strengthen relationships are exploited.
- Establish and/or develop new initiatives to broaden opportunities for people to contribute to system plans.
- Maintain and develop a structured system and programme for engagement and consultation.
- To manage and maintain a database of external relations contacts and develop regular communication channels sensitive to the needs of each audience.
- Ensure communications relating to engagement and consultation are accurate, can be easily understood and are fit for purpose.
- Develop and expand our work with representative groups (protected characteristics).
Branding, design and publications
- Work closely with the Graphic Designer, Videographer/Photographer as well as external suppliers.
- Oversee the design and production of regular corporate publications, such as the quarterly magazines, information materials, leaflets, posters, social media assets and other ad-hoc communication and engagement materials.
Other
- Deputise for the Senior Communications, Engagement and Experience Manager and Head of Communications, Engagement and Experience as required.
- Help to train and develop other, more junior members of the team.
- Be proactive in identifying opportunities for your professional development and participate in mandatory training.
- Keep abreast of professional, technological and digital best practice, methods and services that could enhance the role or team.
- Be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all patient and colleague information handled in the course of this role.
- Be responsible for ensuring that all communications adhere to all areas of the General Data Protection Regulations, Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidelines.
- Any other duties as directed by the Heads of and Director of Communications, Engagement and Experience and Place Leader/ Chief Executive which support the Trust and Alliance in the achievement of its business objectives, goals and legal obligations via effective engagement and communications.
Key working relationships will include:
Internal
Clinicians, nurses, clinical and non-clinical directors, management and administrative teams, researchers and academics, safeguarding teams, legal and FOI team, Fundraising, Membership and Patient Experience teams, communications, engagement and experience team, Executive, Non-Executive and senior management teams.
External
ASPH/Alliance patients, residents and their families, journalists, photographers, filmmakers, representatives from other NHS Trusts, other academic and research institutions, medical journals, local authorities, regional and national NHS England teams NHS England, Department of Health, and other external stakeholders patient representatives, charities and campaigning organisations.
To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Professional qualification, eg. CIM, CIPR
Attitude, behaviour and values
Essential
- Demonstrates the Trust values (4Ps)
- Finds and takes opportunities for improving the service offered
- Flexible in supporting team working and delivery of objectives
- Supports learning and development of self and others
- Supports and promotes equality and diversity
Experience
Essential
- Over five years of experience of working in media and communications or similar speciality
- Experience of identifying and using the most appropriate communications channels to support internal and external communications objectives
Desirable
- Experience of working within the NHS/healthcare sector
Knowledge
Essential
- NHS Constitution
- Trust values, vision, mission, aims and strategic objectives
Desirable
- Healthcare landscape, NHS policy and developments
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Good organisational and project management skills to manage a varied and challenging workload
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Confident and proactive approach to work
- Excellent relationship-building and networking skills
- Ability to convey and deal with complex and sensitive information
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- IT competency including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, Canva, social media platforms, Hootsuite
Desirable
- Desktop publishing skills
- Photography skills
- Videography and video editing skills
- Flair for graphic design
Other requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Demonstrate that you treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Professional qualification, eg. CIM, CIPR
Attitude, behaviour and values
Essential
- Demonstrates the Trust values (4Ps)
- Finds and takes opportunities for improving the service offered
- Flexible in supporting team working and delivery of objectives
- Supports learning and development of self and others
- Supports and promotes equality and diversity
Experience
Essential
- Over five years of experience of working in media and communications or similar speciality
- Experience of identifying and using the most appropriate communications channels to support internal and external communications objectives
Desirable
- Experience of working within the NHS/healthcare sector
Knowledge
Essential
- NHS Constitution
- Trust values, vision, mission, aims and strategic objectives
Desirable
- Healthcare landscape, NHS policy and developments
Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communications skills
- Good organisational and project management skills to manage a varied and challenging workload
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Confident and proactive approach to work
- Excellent relationship-building and networking skills
- Ability to convey and deal with complex and sensitive information
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- IT competency including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams, Canva, social media platforms, Hootsuite
Desirable
- Desktop publishing skills
- Photography skills
- Videography and video editing skills
- Flair for graphic design
Other requirements
Essential
- Able to demonstrate that you are honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Demonstrate that you treat patients, visitors and colleagues with respect
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.
