Job summary
**Please note, the NHS salary scales have recently changed and are expected to come into effect in October. New starters joining the Trust before this time will commence on the old payscales and will move to the new ones once they have been finalised**
The post holder will be an integral part of the communications team responsible for supporting the delivery of an effective communications service to support Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust's (HDFT) digital projects.
This post will involve both internal communications and external communications (dependent upon the development of the digital projects), and will cover a wide range of communications activity/functions.
Work will include producing engaging copy and undertaking marketing activity for a range of internal and external audiences; developing communications/marketing strategies and plans, and identifying proactive opportunities to promote the Trust's digital activity to its workforce so that they are aware of the digital projects being progressed and are regularly informed about developments and opportunities to become involved in projects. The successes resulting from digital projects will also need to be promoted.
Main duties of the job
The Communications Officer (Digital Projects) will play a pivotal role in providing communications expertise across the organisation primarily internally, but also externally.
About us
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!
We offer colleagues:
- A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
- Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
- Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.
Please note, visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working closely with the Communications and Marketing Manager and the Digital Delivery Team, the post holder will support and manage a wide range of communications activity including internal and external communications (media and stakeholder relations), digital communications, campaigns, events and projects.
The post holder will also have the opportunity to develop communications plans for digital projects, such as a new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) System for the Trust, liaising with colleagues to develop appropriate strategies that support communications and engagement, primarily internally with the workforce, but also where appropriate externally. The role will also involve identify positive digital activity, good practice and case studies for use in communications.
A proactive attitude and the ability to build positive relationships with teams and individuals is paramount.
Communications and engagement
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to raise awareness of digital activity so that colleagues are aware and feel involved.
- Ability to create communications and marketing plans for digital projects in line with organisational objectives.
- Research, write, edit and produce a range of communications materials including newsletters; leaflets; posters; brochures; briefings; social media content; website content, intranet content, press releases (where appropriate), etc.
- Maintain processes and procedures that underpin the efficient running of the communications team.
- When appropriate, commission and brief design and print contractors in the production of communications materials, ensuring projects meet budget constraints.
- Respond efficiently and in a timely manner to media requests concerning Trust digital projects, where necessary, drawing on information on colleagues to ensure accuracy at all times.
- Monitor and evaluate digital project communications activity.
- Develop and build strong working relationships internally and externally with partners.
- Ability to take engaging photographs/video to promote activity.
- Ability to work as a team as well as on own initiative.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organisational objectives.
- Undertake any other responsibilities in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working closely with the Communications and Marketing Manager and the Digital Delivery Team, the post holder will support and manage a wide range of communications activity including internal and external communications (media and stakeholder relations), digital communications, campaigns, events and projects.
The post holder will also have the opportunity to develop communications plans for digital projects, such as a new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) System for the Trust, liaising with colleagues to develop appropriate strategies that support communications and engagement, primarily internally with the workforce, but also where appropriate externally. The role will also involve identify positive digital activity, good practice and case studies for use in communications.
A proactive attitude and the ability to build positive relationships with teams and individuals is paramount.
Communications and engagement
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to raise awareness of digital activity so that colleagues are aware and feel involved.
- Ability to create communications and marketing plans for digital projects in line with organisational objectives.
- Research, write, edit and produce a range of communications materials including newsletters; leaflets; posters; brochures; briefings; social media content; website content, intranet content, press releases (where appropriate), etc.
- Maintain processes and procedures that underpin the efficient running of the communications team.
- When appropriate, commission and brief design and print contractors in the production of communications materials, ensuring projects meet budget constraints.
- Respond efficiently and in a timely manner to media requests concerning Trust digital projects, where necessary, drawing on information on colleagues to ensure accuracy at all times.
- Monitor and evaluate digital project communications activity.
- Develop and build strong working relationships internally and externally with partners.
- Ability to take engaging photographs/video to promote activity.
- Ability to work as a team as well as on own initiative.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organisational objectives.
- Undertake any other responsibilities in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a related subject or equivalent experience in a PR and communications field
Experience
Essential
- Communications/media relations/marketing experience
- Creating and implementing internal and external communications plans
- Working with Journalists/Media
- Managing Budgets
Desirable
- Recent experience of working directly with the NHS
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of key communications and PR procedures.
- Knowledge and experience of working with the media with an understanding of how the media works, experience of handling media enquiries and writing press releases and other materials
- Knowledge of social media channels and experience of using them corporately for a large organisation, identifying and writing material in the appropriate tone.
Desirable
- Current knowledge of NHS communications and the ability to interpret this into the workplace
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a related subject or equivalent experience in a PR and communications field
Experience
Essential
- Communications/media relations/marketing experience
- Creating and implementing internal and external communications plans
- Working with Journalists/Media
- Managing Budgets
Desirable
- Recent experience of working directly with the NHS
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of key communications and PR procedures.
- Knowledge and experience of working with the media with an understanding of how the media works, experience of handling media enquiries and writing press releases and other materials
- Knowledge of social media channels and experience of using them corporately for a large organisation, identifying and writing material in the appropriate tone.
Desirable
- Current knowledge of NHS communications and the ability to interpret this into the workplace
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).
