Job summary
Would you like to play an important role in the dynamic media team of one the largest NHS trusts in the country?
Here at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust we are seeking an experienced, innovative, forward thinking Senior Media officer looking to make their mark in our busy but friendly Communications team.
As a newly merged Trust, this is a fantastic time to join us if you are looking to shape the way we communicate stories about the Trust at a local, sector, national and international level.
You'll be a first class communicator with a key focus on news-gathering and story-telling. As a natural networker you will be responsible for pitching stories and reacting to both print and broadcast media requests.
Your role will be key in helping generate proactive PR opportunities from our exciting range of specialties, innovations and research.
Part-time or flexible working is a possible option for the right candidate.
This is an exciting time to be part of - and help shape - our future and to further improve how we communicate and engage with our publics through the media.
This position will be based at Basildon Hospital, however you will be expected to travel across the Trust and be based at other sites regularly.
Main duties of the job
- Produce a regular flow of engaging and interesting press releases and case studies to help promote new developments and success stories to relevant media and journalists.
- First point of contact for the media and manage and log a wide range of media enquiries.
- Establish good working relations with journalists to enhance the Trust's reputation, ensuring media enquiries are managed promptly and professionally.
- Liaise closely with senior colleagues and directors to produce concise and timely media statements in response to specific issues
- Arrange interview opportunities and brief appropriate Trust staff, as well organising and overseeing filming on site.
- Experience of using content management systems for uploading stories and images.
- Work closely with other communications colleagues, helping create news items for in-house publications and channels.
- Support events and VIP visits, which can be at short notice, liaising with staff and managing any media on site.
- Excellent proofing skills.
- A good eye for taking interesting images to accompany stories and media releases.
- Ensure that patient confidentiality is protected at all times. Provide advice and support to patients, their relatives and representatives involved in media enquiries or seeking media contact.
About us
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest trusts in the country, serving a population of 1.2 million people. Our newly formed Trust, comprising acute hospital sites at Broomfield in Chelmsford, Basildon and Southend, is determined to provide the best health services for its local population. We are a well-led, high-performing and innovative organisation working in the best interests of the people we serve.
With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff, we can now do more and go further in delivering health services to our local communities.
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Excellent news judgement, strong story sense and writing skills and experience of dealing with local and national media.
- You will have the proven ability to forward-plan news items and maximise their impact.
- Demonstrable experience of writing engaging and concise copy for a range of channels and audiences.
- Exceptional people skills and ability to build relationships and trust quickly with a wide range of people at all levels, both inside and outside the organisation, but particularly with journalists.
- Youll have passion, dedication and be up for an exciting challenge at one of the countrys biggest and busiest acute teaching Trusts.
- Handling a range of conflicting deadlines you will be organised, adaptable and calm under pressure.
- As part of a large Communications team, youll be full of energy and ideas and a team player.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Excellent news judgement, strong story sense and writing skills and experience of dealing with local and national media.
- You will have the proven ability to forward-plan news items and maximise their impact.
- Demonstrable experience of writing engaging and concise copy for a range of channels and audiences.
- Exceptional people skills and ability to build relationships and trust quickly with a wide range of people at all levels, both inside and outside the organisation, but particularly with journalists.
- Youll have passion, dedication and be up for an exciting challenge at one of the countrys biggest and busiest acute teaching Trusts.
- Handling a range of conflicting deadlines you will be organised, adaptable and calm under pressure.
- As part of a large Communications team, youll be full of energy and ideas and a team player.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
- Journalism qualification/PR training or equivalent experience
Work related knowledge and experience
Essential
- Significant experience or understanding of media
- writing media releases for a range of media and audiences
- Experience of crisis communications
- Ability to meet deadlines
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, for example for proofreading.
- Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise text
Desirable
- Understanding of media law
- Experience of using analytics to drive change and behaviours
- NHS or other public sector experience
- Experience of using content management systems
- Experience of working as part of a busy team
- Understanding and appreciation of working with and handling sensitive or confidential
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Confidence in dealing with senior staff, including skills in influencing and persuading
- A commitment to meeting deadlines
- An understanding of working with confidential and sensitive issues
Desirable
- Understanding of how the NHS works
- Understanding of communications analytics and evaluation
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to exercise autonomy and initiative in professional activities
- Self-motivated and results driven
- Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload, and to work to tight deadlines
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- Ability to remain calm in a pressured environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
- Journalism qualification/PR training or equivalent experience
Work related knowledge and experience
Essential
- Significant experience or understanding of media
- writing media releases for a range of media and audiences
- Experience of crisis communications
- Ability to meet deadlines
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, for example for proofreading.
- Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise text
Desirable
- Understanding of media law
- Experience of using analytics to drive change and behaviours
- NHS or other public sector experience
- Experience of using content management systems
- Experience of working as part of a busy team
- Understanding and appreciation of working with and handling sensitive or confidential
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Confidence in dealing with senior staff, including skills in influencing and persuading
- A commitment to meeting deadlines
- An understanding of working with confidential and sensitive issues
Desirable
- Understanding of how the NHS works
- Understanding of communications analytics and evaluation
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to exercise autonomy and initiative in professional activities
- Self-motivated and results driven
- Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload, and to work to tight deadlines
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- Ability to remain calm in a pressured environment
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).
