Job summary
We are recruiting for a communications officer based at our Bedford Hospital site. Occasional travel to the other Trust site at the L&D may be required.
If you can juggle staff communications and engagement, implementing effective communications campaigns and developing our online content this could be the job for you.
This post is an ideal opportunity for someone with the right skills, experience and motivation to devise and implement communications and marketing campaigns, ensuring Bedfordshire Hospitals is the NHS Trust of choice for patients in Bedfordshire and beyond.
We are keen to hear from candidates who have previous stakeholder, marketing, communications, digital or journalistic experience. It goes without saying that you'll be a fantastic written and oral communicator, who is highly organised and committed to a career in communications. You will also be able to demonstrate initiative, strong administrative and organisational skills.This is a unique opportunity to drive and influence an evolving communications agenda, gain experience of leading internal communications, stakeholder relations and community engagement and make a real contribution to the delivery of the Trust's vision and plans for the future.
For further information or an informal discussion about the post, please contact Courteney Black on 07385 417053 or by email Courteney.black@bedsft.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
- Manage the communications inbox, responding to staff and external enquiries
- Source, write and edit the Trust's staff magazine and assist with producing material for the members magazine;
- Lead or advise on the planning of promotional events including liaison with stakeholders and the media;
- Understand and present often complex information in more accessible forms in the preparation of press releases, newsletters, advertisements, web site content etc in such a way as to maximise positive coverage of the Trust;
- Advise managers and departments on the production of Trust patient information/advice including leaflets and other publications;
- Update content on the Trust's internet and intranet sites;
- Provide communications support to various priority projects - Digitisation, redevelopment, merger integration etc..
- Assist with the ongoing development of the Trust's communications and marketing strategies, campaigns and plans
- Co-ordinate photography and photo opportunities and assist the team in co-ordinating filming and interview opportunities
- Work to tight deadlines, manage conflicting demands on time and deal with an unpredictable workload.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
- Manage the communications inbox, responding to staff and external enquiries
- Source, write and edit the Trusts staff magazine and assist with producing material for the members magazine;
- Lead or advise on the planning of promotional events including liaison with stakeholders and the media;
- Understand and present often complex information in more accessible forms in the preparation of press releases, newsletters, advertisements, web site content etc in such a way as to maximise positive coverage of the Trust;
- Advise managers and departments on the production of Trust patient information/advice including leaflets and other publications
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
- Manage the communications inbox, responding to staff and external enquiries
- Source, write and edit the Trusts staff magazine and assist with producing material for the members magazine;
- Lead or advise on the planning of promotional events including liaison with stakeholders and the media;
- Understand and present often complex information in more accessible forms in the preparation of press releases, newsletters, advertisements, web site content etc in such a way as to maximise positive coverage of the Trust;
- Advise managers and departments on the production of Trust patient information/advice including leaflets and other publications
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in relevant subject area (e.g. Communications, marketing, media etc..) or equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Relevant postgraduate or industry-recognised qualification (CIM/ CIPR)
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of managing digital content and development
- Experience of using Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Experience of managing content for social media
- Experience within corporate communications
- Experience of working across Departments/ organisations to deliver projects and plans
- Experience of working in a politically sensitive environment
- Experience of working in a high pressure environment
- Experience of event organisation and management
Desirable
- Experience working within NHS Communications
- Experience of developing new websites and intranets
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of principles of media relations work
- Competent in working across multiple teams and projects
- Competent in researching and writing materials for use in corporate communications channels
Desirable
- Advanced IT skills, especially Adobe design, video editing sites, Microsoft packages including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in relevant subject area (e.g. Communications, marketing, media etc..) or equivalent qualification, or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Relevant postgraduate or industry-recognised qualification (CIM/ CIPR)
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of managing digital content and development
- Experience of using Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Experience of managing content for social media
- Experience within corporate communications
- Experience of working across Departments/ organisations to deliver projects and plans
- Experience of working in a politically sensitive environment
- Experience of working in a high pressure environment
- Experience of event organisation and management
Desirable
- Experience working within NHS Communications
- Experience of developing new websites and intranets
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of principles of media relations work
- Competent in working across multiple teams and projects
- Competent in researching and writing materials for use in corporate communications channels
Desirable
- Advanced IT skills, especially Adobe design, video editing sites, Microsoft packages including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
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).
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