Job summary
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust is looking for a creative and proactive communications professional to join our organisation at a time of change and opportunity.
As a key member of our small but highly performing communications team, the post-holder will play an active role in planning and delivering our internal and external communications activity for the Trust.
This is a pivotal role in the team, and you will be expected to be highly organised and be able to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff, external partners and stakeholders.
Responsible to the Deputy Director of Communications, the post holder will work with them to run the Trust's internal communications function. You will be responsible for improving the Trust's internal communications channels so that staff are engaged in the major activities of the Trust. You will manage the Trust's annual staff awards programme.
You will also play a role in supporting the Trust's media relations service and our digital communications, including creating engaging website and intranet content. You will also be responsible for ensuring high quality written information is produced for patients.
No two days will be the same. If you are an all-round communications professional who is organised and comfortable working in fast-paced environment, then we want to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- Assist the Director and Deputy Director of Communications to develop, implement and evaluate wider internal and external communications activity around transformational change projects and other major initiatives,
- Assist the communications team to implement key aspects of the Trust's communications strategy.
- Work closely with the Deputy Director of Communications to share achievements and organisational improvements via the media and digital channels.
- Develop good working relationships with local NHS and partner organisations and represent the communications team at local network events.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
- Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
- St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
- Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
- Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Corporate Communications
- Assist the Director and Deputy Director of Communications to develop, implement and evaluate wider internal and external communications activity around transformational change projects and other major initiatives,
- Assist the communications team to implement key aspects of the Trusts communications strategy.
- Work closely with the Deputy Director of Communications to share achievements and organisational improvements via the media and digital channels.
- Develop good working relationships with local NHS and partner organisations and represent the communications team at local network events.
Publications
- Commission, write, edit, proofread and co-ordinate copy for internal publications.
- Contribute to the production and circulation of the community magazine , Our Trust, and other publications. This includes seeking out story ideas, interviews and writing, commissioning photography, liaising with designers/printers, proof reading and general project management.
- Support the Stakeholder Engagement Manager in the production of the Annual Report.
- Provide advice and support to staff producing departmental communication tools, such as annual reports, brochures, leaflets or videos. This includes ensuring they adhere to corporate identity guidelines, sourcing value for money suppliers, quotes, editing, plain English check, proofing and seeing projects through production.
Patient Information
- Be responsible for the production of user-friendly patient information (e.g. leaflets, posters, videos) which adhere to good practice guidelines.
- Support the development of good practice in patient information by providing advice, training sessions and toolkits to staff.
- Play a quality control role by editing copy, advising on format, ensuring adherence to NHS and Trust corporate identity guidance and overseeing leaflet production.
Digital Communications
- Support the Digital Communications Manager and Digital Communications Officer in the production of high quality content for the Trusts digital media channels
- Take an active role in social media monitoring and digital content approvals.
Event Management
- To take a lead, with support from the wider Communications team, in the management of a range of events, including the Trusts annual general meeting, staff open forums, annual staff awards and official openings, VIP, royal and ministerial visits.
Media Relations
- Play a key role in the Trusts reactive media relations operation by taking, researching and responding to requests from the media in a professional and prompt manner. This includes providing support and advice to staff regarding the handling of media issues which will often relate to complex, confidential and sensitive issues. Write and issue statements.
- Work with the media manager to establish build and maintain good working relationships with key journalists in the local, national and specialist press
- Ensure that broadcast media adhere to the Trusts media policy while working on site.
- Help improve the reputation of LNWH by identifying potential good news stories for the Trusts proactive media relations programme. Research, write and circulate press releases and place stories.
- Identify and support staff and patients who may be suitable for media interviews.
Leadership and staff management responsibility
- Responsible for ensuring that the key messages of the Trust are disseminated to staff, patients and the general public in a responsible manner.
- Support and advise key Trust staff regarding the handling of media issues. This often relates to complex, confidential and sensitive issues.
- May be required to act on behalf of the Head of Communications or Deputy Head of Communications in their absence
Financial responsibility
- Although this post carries no direct financial responsibility it requires strong awareness of the effective use of resources and core implications.
Other duties
- To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Corporate Communications
- Assist the Director and Deputy Director of Communications to develop, implement and evaluate wider internal and external communications activity around transformational change projects and other major initiatives,
- Assist the communications team to implement key aspects of the Trusts communications strategy.
- Work closely with the Deputy Director of Communications to share achievements and organisational improvements via the media and digital channels.
- Develop good working relationships with local NHS and partner organisations and represent the communications team at local network events.
Publications
- Commission, write, edit, proofread and co-ordinate copy for internal publications.
- Contribute to the production and circulation of the community magazine , Our Trust, and other publications. This includes seeking out story ideas, interviews and writing, commissioning photography, liaising with designers/printers, proof reading and general project management.
- Support the Stakeholder Engagement Manager in the production of the Annual Report.
- Provide advice and support to staff producing departmental communication tools, such as annual reports, brochures, leaflets or videos. This includes ensuring they adhere to corporate identity guidelines, sourcing value for money suppliers, quotes, editing, plain English check, proofing and seeing projects through production.
Patient Information
- Be responsible for the production of user-friendly patient information (e.g. leaflets, posters, videos) which adhere to good practice guidelines.
- Support the development of good practice in patient information by providing advice, training sessions and toolkits to staff.
- Play a quality control role by editing copy, advising on format, ensuring adherence to NHS and Trust corporate identity guidance and overseeing leaflet production.
Digital Communications
- Support the Digital Communications Manager and Digital Communications Officer in the production of high quality content for the Trusts digital media channels
- Take an active role in social media monitoring and digital content approvals.
Event Management
- To take a lead, with support from the wider Communications team, in the management of a range of events, including the Trusts annual general meeting, staff open forums, annual staff awards and official openings, VIP, royal and ministerial visits.
Media Relations
- Play a key role in the Trusts reactive media relations operation by taking, researching and responding to requests from the media in a professional and prompt manner. This includes providing support and advice to staff regarding the handling of media issues which will often relate to complex, confidential and sensitive issues. Write and issue statements.
- Work with the media manager to establish build and maintain good working relationships with key journalists in the local, national and specialist press
- Ensure that broadcast media adhere to the Trusts media policy while working on site.
- Help improve the reputation of LNWH by identifying potential good news stories for the Trusts proactive media relations programme. Research, write and circulate press releases and place stories.
- Identify and support staff and patients who may be suitable for media interviews.
Leadership and staff management responsibility
- Responsible for ensuring that the key messages of the Trust are disseminated to staff, patients and the general public in a responsible manner.
- Support and advise key Trust staff regarding the handling of media issues. This often relates to complex, confidential and sensitive issues.
- May be required to act on behalf of the Head of Communications or Deputy Head of Communications in their absence
Financial responsibility
- Although this post carries no direct financial responsibility it requires strong awareness of the effective use of resources and core implications.
Other duties
- To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to a Post Graduate degree level or equivalent.
- oEvidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- oOther professional qualifications e.g. journalism
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oRelevant experience in a communications, public relations role within a dedicated team or agency or of working in the media.
- oExperience of producing information for a wide range of stakeholders, including the public - eg newsletters, leaflets, brochures - including knowledge and experience of commissioning print, design and photography.
- oExperience of working confidently with journalists proactively and reactively - this includes placing stories. A sense of 'news'.
- oExperience of events management
- oExperience of using content management systems and writing for the web
- oExperience of using social media channels for an organisation/ company, including the use of analytics
- oAbility to create content for digital channels, including video production and editing
- oPrevious project management experience or experience working on large-scale projects that have an element of communications or staff engagement
- oGeneral knowledge of the NHS and the issues affecting it.
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- oExcellent written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to turn complex material or jargon into plain English
- oAn ability to brief people clearly and succinctly.
- oAbility to communicate effectively and confidently with all levels of staff, external agencies and the general public.
- oExcellent project management and organisational skills with ability to see projects through without supervision to tight deadlines
- oA track record of delivering objectives against tight deadlines.
- oA positive and proactive approach, prepared to generate new ideas and carry them forward.
- oPrepared to work as a member of the team and on own initiative.
- oExcellent multi-tasker who works well under pressure in a busy environment
- oExcellent attention to detail.
- oExcellent negotiating skills and an ability to build a rapport and trust at all levels of the organisation.
- oCalm under pressure, resilient and professional.
Desirable
- oExperience of desktop publishing packages and HTML
- oCreative skills, especially web and intranet design, infographics or multimedia production
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to a Post Graduate degree level or equivalent.
- oEvidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
- oOther professional qualifications e.g. journalism
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oRelevant experience in a communications, public relations role within a dedicated team or agency or of working in the media.
- oExperience of producing information for a wide range of stakeholders, including the public - eg newsletters, leaflets, brochures - including knowledge and experience of commissioning print, design and photography.
- oExperience of working confidently with journalists proactively and reactively - this includes placing stories. A sense of 'news'.
- oExperience of events management
- oExperience of using content management systems and writing for the web
- oExperience of using social media channels for an organisation/ company, including the use of analytics
- oAbility to create content for digital channels, including video production and editing
- oPrevious project management experience or experience working on large-scale projects that have an element of communications or staff engagement
- oGeneral knowledge of the NHS and the issues affecting it.
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- oExcellent written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to turn complex material or jargon into plain English
- oAn ability to brief people clearly and succinctly.
- oAbility to communicate effectively and confidently with all levels of staff, external agencies and the general public.
- oExcellent project management and organisational skills with ability to see projects through without supervision to tight deadlines
- oA track record of delivering objectives against tight deadlines.
- oA positive and proactive approach, prepared to generate new ideas and carry them forward.
- oPrepared to work as a member of the team and on own initiative.
- oExcellent multi-tasker who works well under pressure in a busy environment
- oExcellent attention to detail.
- oExcellent negotiating skills and an ability to build a rapport and trust at all levels of the organisation.
- oCalm under pressure, resilient and professional.
Desirable
- oExperience of desktop publishing packages and HTML
- oCreative skills, especially web and intranet design, infographics or multimedia production
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
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).
Employer details
Employer name
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Address
Northwick Park Hospital (with cross site working)
Watford Road
Harrow
HA1 3UJ
Employer's website
https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
