Job summary
This role involves supporting the communications department to implement the Trust's communications strategy. The post holder will be the first point of contact for communications support to the organisation, and will also be expected to generate positive stories about the Trust for a range of external and internal audiences, using written content, photography and video.
The post holder will also particulate fully in the work of the department, working flexibly in line with demands on the service and step into any area of Trust communications if needed. This includes ensuring that cover is provided across the work remits of the Band 4 roles within the department.
Main duties of the job
- Report to the Senior Communications Officer and support them in the delivery of all communications.
- Generate positive stories about the Trust and promote these through a range of external and internal channels, as part of an integrated communications approach.
- Be the first point of contact for enquiries about communications support. Participate in creating materials, such as posters, graphics and drafting articles for the communications department.
- Manage the communications inbox function ensuring that al enquiries are logged, answered or referred on as necessary and other activity is recorded as required. Assist with the administration of other activity for the communications department as required.
- Support the day-to-day delivery of communications and engagement activities.
- Contribute to the creation and implementation of the Communications strategy, alongside other colleagues in the team.
- Ensure that the Trust is represented effectively, meaningfully and consistently through all communications projects and activities. Ensure that messaging aligns with key messages as set out in the communications strategy and plans.
- Act as a guardian for the NHS and Trust brand guidelines, implementing the guidelines consistently across your work. Contribute to the development of the Trust's brand as required.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 14,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England.
UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Education to diploma level in a relevant subject, or equivalent relevant experience
Desirable
- Holds a specialist marketing, communications or journalism qualification
- Membership of Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Well-developed writing skills, able to create copy for a number of different channels, using in a number of different styles and tones. This includes the ability to write for the media, for newsletters, and for digital and social channels
- Excellent proof reading skills and attention to detail
- Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and the need to multi-task, often under pressure with frequent disruption. Able to meet deadlines when under pressure
- Excellent oral communications skills, able to liaise with internal and external stakeholders with confidence and ease, tact and diplomacy.
- Digitally conversant, able to explore new digital and social platforms with confidence, interest and ease.
- An interest in what makes a good visual image, and an ability to use a simple camera.
- Able to shoot and edit simple videos taken on a smartphone
- Able to use standard Microsoft Office software
- Able to follow polices in own role and contribute to development/improvement of comms related policy and procedure and service development.
- Able to obtain, absorb, analyse, interpret and communicate complex information and/or sensitive information rapidly and successfully, and present this to others to persuade and influence with ease
- Confident in analysing a range of facts or situations, using judgement to assess a situation and make decisions on how to move forward in areas of responsibility and expertise
- High level of numeracy and computer literacy; advanced keyboard skills able to use information systems and programmes for analysis and planning
- Ability to occasionally respond to distressing or emotional circumstances and interpret information for a range of stakeholders
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a Communications environment
- Experience of working in a pressurised environment
- Knowledge and experience of working with the media and handling sensitive queries carefully and effectively, checking back with senior internal stakeholders on the appropriate path to take
- Experience of using social media, including but not limited to X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Has a knowledge of what makes effective social content and how to build a profile on these platforms
- Experience of using digital content management systems to upload content to websites
- Experience of working within a communications department, able to manage own workload and act independently with a good understanding of when to escalate to a senior colleague
- Experience of planning, organising and effective delivery of short and long term campaigns and events.
- Experience of ordering eg print services and safe storage of supplies and/or kit
- Experience of development and training of other staff in own area of expertise
- Specialist knowledge around legislation and good practice procedures and information systems relating to patient or case study consent, patient confidentiality, Freedom of Information requests, GDPR and the Accessible Information Standard. Confident in application of this into practice
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Education to diploma level in a relevant subject, or equivalent relevant experience
Desirable
- Holds a specialist marketing, communications or journalism qualification
- Membership of Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Well-developed writing skills, able to create copy for a number of different channels, using in a number of different styles and tones. This includes the ability to write for the media, for newsletters, and for digital and social channels
- Excellent proof reading skills and attention to detail
- Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage and prioritise an unpredictable workload and the need to multi-task, often under pressure with frequent disruption. Able to meet deadlines when under pressure
- Excellent oral communications skills, able to liaise with internal and external stakeholders with confidence and ease, tact and diplomacy.
- Digitally conversant, able to explore new digital and social platforms with confidence, interest and ease.
- An interest in what makes a good visual image, and an ability to use a simple camera.
- Able to shoot and edit simple videos taken on a smartphone
- Able to use standard Microsoft Office software
- Able to follow polices in own role and contribute to development/improvement of comms related policy and procedure and service development.
- Able to obtain, absorb, analyse, interpret and communicate complex information and/or sensitive information rapidly and successfully, and present this to others to persuade and influence with ease
- Confident in analysing a range of facts or situations, using judgement to assess a situation and make decisions on how to move forward in areas of responsibility and expertise
- High level of numeracy and computer literacy; advanced keyboard skills able to use information systems and programmes for analysis and planning
- Ability to occasionally respond to distressing or emotional circumstances and interpret information for a range of stakeholders
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a Communications environment
- Experience of working in a pressurised environment
- Knowledge and experience of working with the media and handling sensitive queries carefully and effectively, checking back with senior internal stakeholders on the appropriate path to take
- Experience of using social media, including but not limited to X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Has a knowledge of what makes effective social content and how to build a profile on these platforms
- Experience of using digital content management systems to upload content to websites
- Experience of working within a communications department, able to manage own workload and act independently with a good understanding of when to escalate to a senior colleague
- Experience of planning, organising and effective delivery of short and long term campaigns and events.
- Experience of ordering eg print services and safe storage of supplies and/or kit
- Experience of development and training of other staff in own area of expertise
- Specialist knowledge around legislation and good practice procedures and information systems relating to patient or case study consent, patient confidentiality, Freedom of Information requests, GDPR and the Accessible Information Standard. Confident in application of this into practice
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
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Trust Headquarters
Marlborough Street
Bristol
BS1 3NU
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
