Job summary
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust is looking to appoint a Head of Communications.
This is a substantive / permanent role at agenda for change band 8c.
Reporting directly to the Director of Corporate Affairs the successful candidate will provide strategic communications leadership for CHFT, accountable for all aspects of internal colleague communications and external communications with media, local, regional, and national stakeholders.
This role requires a creative, energetic candidate with excellent communications skills, relevant experience and a commitment to developing and supporting people. The postholder will work with a wide range of colleagues within the organisation and externally across the region to deliver effective communications plans and resources.
This is an exciting time for the Trust as it progresses significant reconfiguration and transformation programmes and new building projects at both of its hospital sites.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead on providing advice and management of all aspects of communications to build and maintain a positive reputation with colleagues, key stakeholders, patients, partners and the public. This will include internal colleague communications and external communications with partner organisations, local, regional and national stakeholders.
The role will require liaison with the Trust's Transformation Programme to support the development and delivery of a communications and engagement strategy relating to the Transformation Programme. The post holder will also respond to the Trusts Engagement Strategy to provide
internal communications advice and guidance to the Assistant Director of Engagement Wellbeing and Inclusion.
Responsible for interpretation of national policies in relation to communications.
Responsible for line management and budget responsibility for communications support staff.
About us
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust provides acute and community health services. Hospital services are provided at Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH) and at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI).
With over 6000 employees and a turnover of in excess £400m, the Trust has an exceptional reputation for service delivery. The Trust's Vision is that - "Together we will deliver outstanding compassionate care to the communities we serve"
This vision is underpinned by four fundamental or 'Pillars' of behaviour that guide all colleagues in the way they work.
- We put people first
- We 'go see' (learning from others)
- We work together to get results
- We do the must dos (ensuring regulatory and statutory compliance)
The Trust's aim is to deliver one culture of care which means that we care for our colleagues in the same way that we care for our patients - ensuring colleague wellbeing remains a priority.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Responsibilities include:
- ensuring colleagues, Trust members and partner stakeholders are kept informed of key strategic issues related to the Trust;
- creating ongoing opportunities for people to contribute ideas and share good practice through written, verbal and electronic communications. This will include developing constructive relationships with the public and media;
- leading the development and implementation of a Trust Communications Strategy that will support delivery of the Trusts 10 Year Strategy and One Culture Care;
- representing the Trust in sensitive and political situations, delivering difficult messages where required to high-level audiences.
- handling highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information, including presenting information about projects and dependencies to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in formal settings (for example this could relate to service and reconfiguration plans, patient complaints, coroner inquests, crisis management scenarios etc)
- coordinating communications activities in support of key projects and supporting colleagues to manage the strategic public relation impacts of decisions. This will include for example: support to the development of a communications and engagement strategy for the Trusts Transformation Programme; and internal communications advice and guidance to the Assistant Director of Engagement Wellbeing and Inclusion;
- developing and delivering communications plans to support strategic business planning;
- the post holder will be responsible for managing the work of the Trusts communications function and service offer. This includes responsibility for management of the delegated communications budget and supervision / line management of a communications officer and communications assistant;
- providing expert advice, guidance and support to members of staff in any dealings they have with the media and to ensure senior members of staff have appropriate support and training;
- leading and advising on reputation management, working with communications teams in ICS, CCGs, NHS England and partners to align communication messages.
- undertaking research to, prepare and agree reactive and proactive media statements, identifying media spokes people and collate and analyse and media coverage.
- lead the development of and manage the content for all communication channels including the Trust website, newsletter and briefings as well as project specific products. Identify proactive media opportunities, patient stories and experience to ensure the programmes aims are heard, understood and relevant.
- lead development of the Trusts website and increased use of social media to positively promote reputation, including analysis and reporting mechanisms;
- work collaboratively with people who use Trust services and their carers to share service user experience though appropriate channels and increase public confidence in Trust services;
- provide oversight of communications materials produced by ensuring outputs supports strategic priorities, appropriate brand application and reputation management.
Key Relationships
- To work collaboratively with all colleagues and senior leaders in the Trust.
- To develop and maintain key relationships with external and regional partners e.g. W&H ICS, NHSE, WYAAT, DHSC, Councils, Primary Care Networks, LMCs, Voluntary Sector, MPs, Scrutiny Committees;
To role model positive leadership in line with One Culture of Care and demonstrate positive leadership by personal behaviours in line with Trust core values, challenging behaviours that fall short of those expected
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Responsibilities include:
- ensuring colleagues, Trust members and partner stakeholders are kept informed of key strategic issues related to the Trust;
- creating ongoing opportunities for people to contribute ideas and share good practice through written, verbal and electronic communications. This will include developing constructive relationships with the public and media;
- leading the development and implementation of a Trust Communications Strategy that will support delivery of the Trusts 10 Year Strategy and One Culture Care;
- representing the Trust in sensitive and political situations, delivering difficult messages where required to high-level audiences.
- handling highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information, including presenting information about projects and dependencies to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in formal settings (for example this could relate to service and reconfiguration plans, patient complaints, coroner inquests, crisis management scenarios etc)
- coordinating communications activities in support of key projects and supporting colleagues to manage the strategic public relation impacts of decisions. This will include for example: support to the development of a communications and engagement strategy for the Trusts Transformation Programme; and internal communications advice and guidance to the Assistant Director of Engagement Wellbeing and Inclusion;
- developing and delivering communications plans to support strategic business planning;
- the post holder will be responsible for managing the work of the Trusts communications function and service offer. This includes responsibility for management of the delegated communications budget and supervision / line management of a communications officer and communications assistant;
- providing expert advice, guidance and support to members of staff in any dealings they have with the media and to ensure senior members of staff have appropriate support and training;
- leading and advising on reputation management, working with communications teams in ICS, CCGs, NHS England and partners to align communication messages.
- undertaking research to, prepare and agree reactive and proactive media statements, identifying media spokes people and collate and analyse and media coverage.
- lead the development of and manage the content for all communication channels including the Trust website, newsletter and briefings as well as project specific products. Identify proactive media opportunities, patient stories and experience to ensure the programmes aims are heard, understood and relevant.
- lead development of the Trusts website and increased use of social media to positively promote reputation, including analysis and reporting mechanisms;
- work collaboratively with people who use Trust services and their carers to share service user experience though appropriate channels and increase public confidence in Trust services;
- provide oversight of communications materials produced by ensuring outputs supports strategic priorities, appropriate brand application and reputation management.
Key Relationships
- To work collaboratively with all colleagues and senior leaders in the Trust.
- To develop and maintain key relationships with external and regional partners e.g. W&H ICS, NHSE, WYAAT, DHSC, Councils, Primary Care Networks, LMCs, Voluntary Sector, MPs, Scrutiny Committees;
To role model positive leadership in line with One Culture of Care and demonstrate positive leadership by personal behaviours in line with Trust core values, challenging behaviours that fall short of those expected
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent plus training and/or experience in communications field to master's level equivalent.
Desirable
- Recognised post graduate qualification in public relations / marketing / communications
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communications techniques, approaches, procedures, health service communications, organisation, project management, external political environment
- Previous demonstrable experience in a comparable role working at a senior level in communications, public relations, journalism and/or marketing
- Reputation management and ability to demonstrate personal credibility to a range of stakeholders.
- Developing and implementing marketing / communication strategies and plans
- Producing a wide range of information for different audiences in a variety of formats
- Direct experience of working with (proactively and reactively) and influencing the media
- Leading and managing marketing, and communications output
- Experience of working on large scale change projects or with a regional or national profile
Desirable
- Experience and knowledge of communications within the NHS and/or public sector
- Working in a large, complex organisation
- Close working with graphic design and web developers
- Experience of working with external agencies
Training
Essential
- Evidence of commitment to continually update professional practice.
Special Knowledge/ Expertise
Essential
- Team player with strong leadership qualities
- Highly resilient with the ability to cope under pressure
- Demonstrates a commitment to partners and the wider interests of the health services
- Committed to ensuring that the organisation values diversity and promotes quality and inclusivity in all aspects of the business
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS principles and values as set out in the NHS constitution
- Considerate of health and social care principles and can promote integration locally and regionally
Practical/Intellectual Skills/Personal Qualities
Essential
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills with a high level of IT competency including website content management systems and social media
- Ability to deal with sensitive and/or confidential information and deal with potential conflict of opinions
- Ability to prioritise workloads and work autonomously in a fast-changing environment
- Highly politically astute and aware
Desirable
- Knowledge of house/branding styles and NHS corporate image guidelines
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent plus training and/or experience in communications field to master's level equivalent.
Desirable
- Recognised post graduate qualification in public relations / marketing / communications
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and marketing communications techniques, approaches, procedures, health service communications, organisation, project management, external political environment
- Previous demonstrable experience in a comparable role working at a senior level in communications, public relations, journalism and/or marketing
- Reputation management and ability to demonstrate personal credibility to a range of stakeholders.
- Developing and implementing marketing / communication strategies and plans
- Producing a wide range of information for different audiences in a variety of formats
- Direct experience of working with (proactively and reactively) and influencing the media
- Leading and managing marketing, and communications output
- Experience of working on large scale change projects or with a regional or national profile
Desirable
- Experience and knowledge of communications within the NHS and/or public sector
- Working in a large, complex organisation
- Close working with graphic design and web developers
- Experience of working with external agencies
Training
Essential
- Evidence of commitment to continually update professional practice.
Special Knowledge/ Expertise
Essential
- Team player with strong leadership qualities
- Highly resilient with the ability to cope under pressure
- Demonstrates a commitment to partners and the wider interests of the health services
- Committed to ensuring that the organisation values diversity and promotes quality and inclusivity in all aspects of the business
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS principles and values as set out in the NHS constitution
- Considerate of health and social care principles and can promote integration locally and regionally
Practical/Intellectual Skills/Personal Qualities
Essential
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills with a high level of IT competency including website content management systems and social media
- Ability to deal with sensitive and/or confidential information and deal with potential conflict of opinions
- Ability to prioritise workloads and work autonomously in a fast-changing environment
- Highly politically astute and aware
Desirable
- Knowledge of house/branding styles and NHS corporate image guidelines
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
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Cross site working at HRI and CRH
Acre Street Huddersfield
Huddersfield
HD3 3EA
Employer's website
https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
