Job summary
Are you a high-achieving communications professional? Want to go home at the end of the day knowing the work that you've done has made a difference?
Develop your career in the rewarding world of NHS Communications at Leicester's Hospitals.
Every day at University Hospitals of Leicester we save lives, improve lives and usher in new life. Our Trust Values underpin the behaviour and culture here. We are a passionate and creative team and at our best when we work together.
The role of Internal Communications Manager is a fast-paced and challenging one, working in one of the five biggest NHS Trusts in the country. With a strong focus on building our internal relationships and channels, the post-holder will play a key role in ensuring we deliver a quality driven, innovative and customer-focused communication service consistent with Trust's aims and objectives.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will line manage a team of four people, overseeing campaigns that can engage effectively with the 17, 000 colleagues that make us #TeamUHL. Working closely with the relevant directorates, you will design and deliver targeted communications approaches that enable transformation and improve the working lives of staff.
Naturally collaborative, you'll translate creative ideas, team spirit and small budgets into effective communications with measurable results - coaching and inspiring colleagues along the way.
About us
About the communications and engagement department at Leicester's Hospitals
The communications team has a vital role in the delivery of Leicester's Hospitals ambition to deliver 'Caring at its Best' for every patient, every time.
To do this we tell the stories of our patients and our colleagues and use their insight and knowledge to improve the use of NHS services and the health of the public. Working as part of #TeamUHL Communications, you can go home knowing that your work contributes to the delivery of high-quality healthcare that can and does change lives.
We communicate daily with a wide range of audiences including around 17,000 staff, over one million patients, local and national broadcast and print media, local GPs, other NHS organisations and a wide range of stakeholders. We manage all official communications, PR, social media, website and intranet activity for the Trust.
The communications & engagement department also has a specialist medical illustration team that provide design and photography services to our many clinical areas, and a patient and community engagement team. Together we are responsible for the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) agenda, along with the management of the Trust's patient partners and public members.
Sound like a team you'd like to join? Apply today.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal Communications Manager - Main responsibilities:
With a strong focus on building and maintaining our internal, relationships, the post holder will play a key role in ensuring that we deliver a quality driven, innovative and customer focused communication service consistent with Trusts aims and objectives.
You will manage a team of four people and deputise for the Head of Communications in their absence. You will help to translate creative ideas, team spirit and small budgets into effective communications with measurable results. You will also help to coach and inspire colleagues along the way.
The successful candidate should have experience taking the lead on projects, with the skills relevant to delivering effective multi-channel campaigns from beginning to end. Responsible for scoping and delivering on the communications requirement for key divisional teams, you will act as a trusted adviser to colleagues across the Trust and have demonstrable experience of building effective relationships with colleagues at all levels.
As a busy hospital Trust, experience of crisis management, supporting on-call arrangements and an ability to stay focused and personable under pressure is desirable.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Internal Communications Manager - Main responsibilities:
With a strong focus on building and maintaining our internal, relationships, the post holder will play a key role in ensuring that we deliver a quality driven, innovative and customer focused communication service consistent with Trusts aims and objectives.
You will manage a team of four people and deputise for the Head of Communications in their absence. You will help to translate creative ideas, team spirit and small budgets into effective communications with measurable results. You will also help to coach and inspire colleagues along the way.
The successful candidate should have experience taking the lead on projects, with the skills relevant to delivering effective multi-channel campaigns from beginning to end. Responsible for scoping and delivering on the communications requirement for key divisional teams, you will act as a trusted adviser to colleagues across the Trust and have demonstrable experience of building effective relationships with colleagues at all levels.
As a busy hospital Trust, experience of crisis management, supporting on-call arrangements and an ability to stay focused and personable under pressure is desirable.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Experience of designing and delivering successful multi-channel internal campaigns and communications approaches
- Experience of directly managing and motivating a team of communications staff
- Experience of using employee insight to design successful internal communications plans and strategies
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, or working towards this standard
- Membership of professional body
- Evidence of leadership development
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages with advanced keyboard use
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Excellent IT skills, including ability to use desktop publishing software and content management systems
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to research subject matter to produce engaging articles for staff
- Proven planning and organisational skills, and proven ability to work effectively at pace and under pressure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of designing and delivering successful multi-channel internal campaigns and communications approaches
- Experience of directly managing and motivating a team of communications staff
- Experience of using employee insight to design successful internal communications plans and strategies
- Experience of account managing or business partnering internally
- Experience of complex channel management and reporting of engagement metrics
- Experience of using communications packages and ability to change at short notice, ensuring modern technology is utilised in the best way to suit the organisation
Desirable
- Experience of working in a customer-facing environment
- Experience (or demonstrable appreciation) of the challenges facing public sector
- Experience of supporting and organising successful staff award programme and events
- Experience of developing and managing intranets and websites
- Experience of managing risks and reporting
- Demonstrated experience in a healthcare/ NHS environment
- Experience of CMS systems for websites and intranets, and confidence in using them
- Experience of developing new and innovative communication channels
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident and able to establish credibility quickly at all levels of the organisation
- Able to influence and interact with a diverse customer group
- Ability to be compassionate, inclusive and accountable, and lead staff, partners and other stakeholders
- Ability to manage confrontational situations and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to translate often complex documents into 'plain English'
- Excellent knowledge of how communication techniques are evolving and ability to use this information to continually transform Trust communications and plans for all audiences
- Creative individual who keeps up to date with latest trends to help keep communications effective and current
- Crisis management experience
Desirable
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience of facilitating discussions or focus groups to gain insight
- Some experience of working on an on-call rotas
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Able to analyse issues quickly and make decisions
- Ability to interpret data, produce reports and draw out recommendations to improve internal and external engagement.
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales
Desirable
- Understanding of the public sector and awareness of the relevant social and political environments and impact on the health economy
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities as an employee and as a provider of service to the public
- Evidence of a solid understanding of patient confidentiality and the relevant aspects of libel law, the Freedom of Information Act, Equality Act and Data Protection Act.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- A team player, with a flexible approach
- Ability to travel to other locations as required and attend Trust sites out of hours - only where necessary and appropriate
- Proactive, enthusiastic and well- motivated Attention to detail and ability to give constructive feedback to support development of others
- Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative at all times
- Demonstrate an understanding of commitment to customer care and quality of service
- Positive attitude towards learning and development with a record of continuing professional development
- Able to work under pressure and deliver results
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Experience of designing and delivering successful multi-channel internal campaigns and communications approaches
- Experience of directly managing and motivating a team of communications staff
- Experience of using employee insight to design successful internal communications plans and strategies
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, or working towards this standard
- Membership of professional body
- Evidence of leadership development
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages with advanced keyboard use
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Excellent IT skills, including ability to use desktop publishing software and content management systems
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to research subject matter to produce engaging articles for staff
- Proven planning and organisational skills, and proven ability to work effectively at pace and under pressure
Experience
Essential
- Experience of designing and delivering successful multi-channel internal campaigns and communications approaches
- Experience of directly managing and motivating a team of communications staff
- Experience of using employee insight to design successful internal communications plans and strategies
- Experience of account managing or business partnering internally
- Experience of complex channel management and reporting of engagement metrics
- Experience of using communications packages and ability to change at short notice, ensuring modern technology is utilised in the best way to suit the organisation
Desirable
- Experience of working in a customer-facing environment
- Experience (or demonstrable appreciation) of the challenges facing public sector
- Experience of supporting and organising successful staff award programme and events
- Experience of developing and managing intranets and websites
- Experience of managing risks and reporting
- Demonstrated experience in a healthcare/ NHS environment
- Experience of CMS systems for websites and intranets, and confidence in using them
- Experience of developing new and innovative communication channels
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident and able to establish credibility quickly at all levels of the organisation
- Able to influence and interact with a diverse customer group
- Ability to be compassionate, inclusive and accountable, and lead staff, partners and other stakeholders
- Ability to manage confrontational situations and sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to translate often complex documents into 'plain English'
- Excellent knowledge of how communication techniques are evolving and ability to use this information to continually transform Trust communications and plans for all audiences
- Creative individual who keeps up to date with latest trends to help keep communications effective and current
- Crisis management experience
Desirable
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience of facilitating discussions or focus groups to gain insight
- Some experience of working on an on-call rotas
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Able to analyse issues quickly and make decisions
- Ability to interpret data, produce reports and draw out recommendations to improve internal and external engagement.
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales
Desirable
- Understanding of the public sector and awareness of the relevant social and political environments and impact on the health economy
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities as an employee and as a provider of service to the public
- Evidence of a solid understanding of patient confidentiality and the relevant aspects of libel law, the Freedom of Information Act, Equality Act and Data Protection Act.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- A team player, with a flexible approach
- Ability to travel to other locations as required and attend Trust sites out of hours - only where necessary and appropriate
- Proactive, enthusiastic and well- motivated Attention to detail and ability to give constructive feedback to support development of others
- Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative at all times
- Demonstrate an understanding of commitment to customer care and quality of service
- Positive attitude towards learning and development with a record of continuing professional development
- Able to work under pressure and deliver results
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).
