Digital Communications Manager

NHS Confederation

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Were looking for someone to join our passionate communications team focussing on our digital communications as a Digital Communications Manager. You will lead a team of digital specialists to develop and implement strategies that are user-focussed and data driven as we move towards a digital first approach

You will also:

  • Deliver the annual digital communications plan acting as a product owner for key websites within the NHS Confederation and NHS Employers portfolio
  • Implement and deliver content management systems
  • Play a lead role in ensuring websites and other digital channels are always-on, and are usable, accessible, discoverable and that content is easily findable.
  • Work collaboratively with stakeholders to scope, plan, execute and evaluate digital projects and strategies including new chatbot technology

Main duties of the job

The Digital Communications Manager leads a team of two digital specialists to develop and implement digital strategies that are user-focussed and data driven across the organisations key digital communications channels: web, social media and email.

The role is responsible for the delivery of the annual digital communications plan and acts as product owner for key websites within the NHS Confederation and NHS Employers portfolio.

Working collaboratively with key stakeholders across the organisation and content specialists in the communications department, you will implement improvements to our digital platforms to support our members and drive efficiencies. You will also lead on digital projects such as implementing new chatbot technology.

Capability building is a key focus, and you will oversee the delivery of training and communications plans to upskill colleagues, enabling them to make best use of digital technologies to enhance their output. You will also effectively manage relationships with external suppliers ensuring best value and continuity of service and will be responsible for procurement and contracting following corporate policies.

About us

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The members we represent employ 1.5 million staff, care for more than 1 million patients a day and control £150 billion of public expenditure. We promote collaboration and partnership working as the key to improving population health, delivering high-quality care and reducing health inequalities.

Date posted

01 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£43,060 a year and £4000 London Weighting (if applicable)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

NHS1056570

Job locations

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ


2 Brewery Wharf

Kendall Street

Leeds

West Yorkshire

SW1P 3HZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Managing digital channels

  • Delivery of the digital communications plan to ensure channels are maintained and developed to deliver excellent digital experiences for audiences.
  • Implementing and developing content management systems to support effective content governance, usability and editorial experiences.
  • Provide expert advice and guidance on how to make best use of our digital portfolio including recommendations for improvement and implementing change activities as agreed.
  • Play a lead role in ensuring the websites and other digital channels are always-on, and are usable, accessible, discoverable and that content is easily findable.
  • Support a large editor base to upskill and make best use of online channels through the delivery of a training and communications plan.
  • Manage the relationship with our digital suppliers including website developers and designers and engage internal stakeholders as part of business-as-usual and larger change projects.

Project management

  • Working alongside key stakeholders including external agencies, senior colleagues and content specialists in the communications department to scope, plan, execute and evaluate digital projects including new chatbot technology and a learner management system.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget, provide strategic and tactical advice in a simple and easy to understand way, pay close attention to detail when developing documentation and acceptance criteria, managing risk and dependencies well, and holding suppliers to account throughout the project lifecycle.

Team and line management

  • Lead and motivate a team of two digital specialists, prioritising work as required and ensuring corporate policies and established processes are followed to ensure a continuity of service and effective cross-team working.

Stakeholder management

  • Engage stakeholders at all levels of seniority and across the organisation to achieve digital objectives by varied methods including the delivery of a communications plan.

Budget, contracting and procurement

  • Manage the digital budget, ensuring a proactive and effective approach is taken to budget management in line with corporate policies.
  • Procurement and managing contracts for digital services ensuring they are best value and fit with the longer-term digital strategy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Managing digital channels

  • Delivery of the digital communications plan to ensure channels are maintained and developed to deliver excellent digital experiences for audiences.
  • Implementing and developing content management systems to support effective content governance, usability and editorial experiences.
  • Provide expert advice and guidance on how to make best use of our digital portfolio including recommendations for improvement and implementing change activities as agreed.
  • Play a lead role in ensuring the websites and other digital channels are always-on, and are usable, accessible, discoverable and that content is easily findable.
  • Support a large editor base to upskill and make best use of online channels through the delivery of a training and communications plan.
  • Manage the relationship with our digital suppliers including website developers and designers and engage internal stakeholders as part of business-as-usual and larger change projects.

Project management

  • Working alongside key stakeholders including external agencies, senior colleagues and content specialists in the communications department to scope, plan, execute and evaluate digital projects including new chatbot technology and a learner management system.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget, provide strategic and tactical advice in a simple and easy to understand way, pay close attention to detail when developing documentation and acceptance criteria, managing risk and dependencies well, and holding suppliers to account throughout the project lifecycle.

Team and line management

  • Lead and motivate a team of two digital specialists, prioritising work as required and ensuring corporate policies and established processes are followed to ensure a continuity of service and effective cross-team working.

Stakeholder management

  • Engage stakeholders at all levels of seniority and across the organisation to achieve digital objectives by varied methods including the delivery of a communications plan.

Budget, contracting and procurement

  • Manage the digital budget, ensuring a proactive and effective approach is taken to budget management in line with corporate policies.
  • Procurement and managing contracts for digital services ensuring they are best value and fit with the longer-term digital strategy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Excellent knowledge and substantial experience managing and developing websites, social media and email communications channels.
  • Exceptional technical skills in implementing usability (UX), discoverability (SEO), and accessibility strategies to achieve digital goals and deliver excellent digital experiences for audiences.
  • Experience in implementing and developing content management systems to support effective content governance, usability, and editorial experiences.
  • Skilled in overseeing cross-channel training and capability-building activities that support continuous learning and upskilling.
  • Significant experience in project management, with a track record of delivering projects on time and on budget for enterprise-level content management systems.
  • Excellent analytical skills and a data-driven approach to ensure user-focused activities, demonstrable impact, and actionable insights, with experience in Google Analytics and testing.
  • Effective team management to ensure engagement, motivation, and development of team members, along with managing suppliers, including website developers and designers, and internal stakeholders through various projects.
  • Experience working with stakeholders of varying digital literacy and seniority to communicate plans, progress, and outcomes, with the ability to advise, influence, and challenge constructively.
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills, attention to detail, strong problem-solving ability, and the capacity to pivot between strategic and tactical work, managing a diverse portfolio, and handle competing priorities effectively.

Desirable

  • Experience of using Drupal, Dot Digital and Emplify systems.
  • Experiencing of working in a membership organisation.
  • Experience of working within complex organisations with multiple stakeholders.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare sector.
  • Digital marketing or project management qualifications.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Excellent knowledge and substantial experience managing and developing websites, social media and email communications channels.
  • Exceptional technical skills in implementing usability (UX), discoverability (SEO), and accessibility strategies to achieve digital goals and deliver excellent digital experiences for audiences.
  • Experience in implementing and developing content management systems to support effective content governance, usability, and editorial experiences.
  • Skilled in overseeing cross-channel training and capability-building activities that support continuous learning and upskilling.
  • Significant experience in project management, with a track record of delivering projects on time and on budget for enterprise-level content management systems.
  • Excellent analytical skills and a data-driven approach to ensure user-focused activities, demonstrable impact, and actionable insights, with experience in Google Analytics and testing.
  • Effective team management to ensure engagement, motivation, and development of team members, along with managing suppliers, including website developers and designers, and internal stakeholders through various projects.
  • Experience working with stakeholders of varying digital literacy and seniority to communicate plans, progress, and outcomes, with the ability to advise, influence, and challenge constructively.
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills, attention to detail, strong problem-solving ability, and the capacity to pivot between strategic and tactical work, managing a diverse portfolio, and handle competing priorities effectively.

Desirable

  • Experience of using Drupal, Dot Digital and Emplify systems.
  • Experiencing of working in a membership organisation.
  • Experience of working within complex organisations with multiple stakeholders.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare sector.
  • Digital marketing or project management qualifications.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Confederation

Address

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ


Employer's website

https://www.nhsconfed.org/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Confederation

Address

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ


Employer's website

https://www.nhsconfed.org/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Assistant Director of Communications

Sarah Hirst

Sarah.Hirst@nhsconfed.org

Date posted

01 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£43,060 a year and £4000 London Weighting (if applicable)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

NHS1056570

Job locations

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ


2 Brewery Wharf

Kendall Street

Leeds

West Yorkshire

SW1P 3HZ


Supporting documents

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