Job summary
We
are looking for a creative and dynamic communications professional to join our
NHS Trust Communications and Engagement Team on a fixed term basis to provide
cover for maternity leave within the Team. You will be intergal to the success
of our Communications and Engagement Strategy in supporting our workforce and
the delivery of safe, compassionate and joined-up care for patients and
communities across County Durham and Darlington. We work in a fast-paced but
rewarding environment with the opportunity for you to develop, design and lead
a range of initiatives and campaigns.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a talented, innovative and experienced
communications professional to join our friendly team. This role will ensure
that the Trusts vision and strategic objectives are communicated clearly to
our key stakeholders, contributing to local and regional communications and
engagement priorities as well.
To succeed in this role you will be an experienced
communications professional, with a good track record of managing multichannel
communications activity and relevant skills and experience to demonstrate you
can lead, develop and manage the delivery of integrated communications plans.
You will have the confidence to challenge and
the emotional intelligence and personal style to do this in a successful way
with a range of different audiences. We are looking for someone with excellent
copy writing skills, expertise in
building effective media relations and a good working knowledge of
digital communication platforms. You will be well supported in the role and
encouraged to develop new ideas to take forward communications and engagement
activity for both the Trust and the Trusts Charity.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for leading the delivery of
high-quality campaigns, managing activity against agreed budgets, working with
different teams, services and partners to produce impactful results.
Your time and project management skills will be outstanding,
with the ability to work to tight deadlines and provide excellent service and
advice to our Board and a range of other internal audiences.
You will be a superb
communicator and possess the ability to
maintain good internal and external relationships, including key partners and
especially the media.
You will have vast experience of managing media relations
and sourcing and writing engaging and targeted copy to produce effective
coverage and support the positive management of
the reputation of the organisation.
You will also have line management
responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be responsible for leading the delivery of
high-quality campaigns, managing activity against agreed budgets, working with
different teams, services and partners to produce impactful results.
Your time and project management skills will be outstanding,
with the ability to work to tight deadlines and provide excellent service and
advice to our Board and a range of other internal audiences.
You will be a superb
communicator and possess the ability to
maintain good internal and external relationships, including key partners and
especially the media.
You will have vast experience of managing media relations
and sourcing and writing engaging and targeted copy to produce effective
coverage and support the positive management of
the reputation of the organisation.
You will also have line management
responsibilities.
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of communications and event management in complex, multi-disciplinary organisations
- Experience and ability to provide expert advice to teams on working with the media
- Experience and ability to lead on sourcing and writing engaging and accurate copy effectively targeted for the audience
- Event management experience - to ensure successful planning, management, objective setting and evaluation tools
- Able to devise, implement, manage and measure successful campaigns and events and their associated budgets
- Able to work with and understand the needs of national, regional, local and specialist media
- High level of interpersonal, communication, negotiating and presentation skills
- Strategic development of electronic communications strategy including development of the intranet, website and social media platforms
- Excellent understanding of Microsoft/Computer products
- Prioritisation skills with ability to manage a complex and varied workload to meet competing deadlines and ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines
- Able to work independently and take accountability for own actions
- Developed analytical and problem solving skills will be required for assessing options for project/task delivery, assessment of project/business plans and formulation and adjustment of plans
- Proven team worker with ability to motivate others and experience managing complex relationships effectively
- Politically aware and sensitive
- Flexible, positive, enthusiastic and committed
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS strategy and policy agendas including NHS structure, strategy, vision and policy
- PR / Journalism industry experience
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of a depth and breadth of experience post qualification within a range of environments which will include work in some of the following:
- agency
- in-house marketing communications
- public sector
- charitable/voluntary sector
- media
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating integrated and successful tactical communications programmes in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation for both internal and external audiences
- Experience of developing training programmes and presenting communication good practice, themes and issues to internal audiences
- Experience of a strong mix of traditional and digital communication skills
- Evidence of writing stories for magazines/newsletters and feature writing appropriate to intended audience
- Experience of providing strategic communications advice to senior colleagues, persuading, influencing and negotiating where necessary and appropriate and demonstrating how effective communications can add value
- Experience of managing the politics of an organisation
-
- Experience of more than one of the following:
- successful project management of key communications initiatives
- managing a budget
- managing a team
- detailed research to support communication strategies
Desirable
- Experience of the development of department plans and contributing to strategy.
- Experience of working with the NHS or other complex public service organisation
- Experience in line management
Special Requirements
Essential
- The post holder must be able to drive and be able to travel across Trust sites (both in and out of standard working hours) to meet the requirements of the post and the on call rota
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience acquired through degree and professional qualification plus additional training or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continuous and relevant Professional Development
Desirable
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of communications and event management in complex, multi-disciplinary organisations
- Experience and ability to provide expert advice to teams on working with the media
- Experience and ability to lead on sourcing and writing engaging and accurate copy effectively targeted for the audience
- Event management experience - to ensure successful planning, management, objective setting and evaluation tools
- Able to devise, implement, manage and measure successful campaigns and events and their associated budgets
- Able to work with and understand the needs of national, regional, local and specialist media
- High level of interpersonal, communication, negotiating and presentation skills
- Strategic development of electronic communications strategy including development of the intranet, website and social media platforms
- Excellent understanding of Microsoft/Computer products
- Prioritisation skills with ability to manage a complex and varied workload to meet competing deadlines and ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines
- Able to work independently and take accountability for own actions
- Developed analytical and problem solving skills will be required for assessing options for project/task delivery, assessment of project/business plans and formulation and adjustment of plans
- Proven team worker with ability to motivate others and experience managing complex relationships effectively
- Politically aware and sensitive
- Flexible, positive, enthusiastic and committed
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS strategy and policy agendas including NHS structure, strategy, vision and policy
- PR / Journalism industry experience
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of a depth and breadth of experience post qualification within a range of environments which will include work in some of the following:
- agency
- in-house marketing communications
- public sector
- charitable/voluntary sector
- media
- Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating integrated and successful tactical communications programmes in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation for both internal and external audiences
- Experience of developing training programmes and presenting communication good practice, themes and issues to internal audiences
- Experience of a strong mix of traditional and digital communication skills
- Evidence of writing stories for magazines/newsletters and feature writing appropriate to intended audience
- Experience of providing strategic communications advice to senior colleagues, persuading, influencing and negotiating where necessary and appropriate and demonstrating how effective communications can add value
- Experience of managing the politics of an organisation
-
- Experience of more than one of the following:
- successful project management of key communications initiatives
- managing a budget
- managing a team
- detailed research to support communication strategies
Desirable
- Experience of the development of department plans and contributing to strategy.
- Experience of working with the NHS or other complex public service organisation
- Experience in line management
Special Requirements
Essential
- The post holder must be able to drive and be able to travel across Trust sites (both in and out of standard working hours) to meet the requirements of the post and the on call rota
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience acquired through degree and professional qualification plus additional training or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continuous and relevant Professional Development
Desirable
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
