Senior Media Relations Officer

NHS England

This job is now closed

Job summary

As a senior media relations officer at NHS England you will be part of one of the country's busiest and most high-profile media teams.

The post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across the Communications Directorate to manage, protect and enhance the reputation of NHS England by getting clear and coherent messages out through the news and media as part of the strategic communications and marketing activity, and to respond effectively to media enquiries.

First-hand knowledge of the NHS and the work of NHS England is an advantage, but the most essential requirements are impeccable news judgement, strong writing skills, an excellent understanding of the media landscape and experience of dealing with national media.

The post holder will be expected to liaise effectively with stakeholders, government departments and other agencies, and build trust and strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, including at board level

Main duties of the job

In particular the post-holder will:

Carry out activity for nominated subject portfolio areas, ensure that related tasks and projects are planned, managed and delivered effectively.
Manage day to day press office work, including being the first port of call for answering press calls and emails through the central inbox
Build relationships with journalists working in health
Ensure accurate and open communication and co-ordination with a range of organisations and individuals in the media, researching and drafting written material (including press releases, statements and briefing notes).
Work on-call as part of a rota system (this will be an additional payment)

About us

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:

Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
Delivering value for money.

If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Date posted

05 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

990-STR-6599117-E

Job locations

Wellington House

133-155 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8UG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Use insight to inform communications activity.

Continuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans.

Embrace new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders.

Work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSEs policies, priorities and processes.

Work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability.

Support, value and respect each others work, perspectives and needs.

Ability to work flexibly and at pace across priorities.

The postholder is required to be flexible and responsive, this may require occasional out of hours working or participation in a formal on call rota.

Work will be directed by your manager based on the organisations needs and may be assigned to any business priority/directorate within the NHS England Comms Team

High quality writing and presenting skills

Uphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement

If you like what you have read and think you have the skills and experience, we need then don't delay, apply today! We get lots of applications for our roles and so we sometimes have to close our posts early. Don't miss out!

Job description

Job responsibilities

Use insight to inform communications activity.

Continuously evaluate and learn from actions and plans.

Embrace new ideas and innovative ways of communicating and engaging with audiences and stakeholders.

Work with colleagues to ensure all activity is planned and delivered in line with NHSEs policies, priorities and processes.

Work effectively within an environment of intense media and political scrutiny and accountability.

Support, value and respect each others work, perspectives and needs.

Ability to work flexibly and at pace across priorities.

The postholder is required to be flexible and responsive, this may require occasional out of hours working or participation in a formal on call rota.

Work will be directed by your manager based on the organisations needs and may be assigned to any business priority/directorate within the NHS England Comms Team

High quality writing and presenting skills

Uphold professional government and industry standards for communications and engagement

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working with or within the national new media
Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services
Experience in communications and stakeholder management
Good understanding of the background and aims of current organsiational priorities and objectives and understand how communications and engagement can deliver this

Desirable

Experience in communications and stakeholder management
Workforce development knowledge and experience.

Skills Capabilities & Attributes

Essential

Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
Evidence of success in effective project and programme management.
Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks

Values and behaviours

Essential

Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do. Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public
Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients.
Values diversity and difference operates with integrity and openness.
Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others.
Consistently looks to improve what they do, look for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation
Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same.
Willingness to learn from others people's experiences, expertise and perspectives
Appreciates the importance of communications and engagement in delivering for patients, improving services and supporting frontline staff
Believes in the importance of helping colleagues.
Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

Knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of working with or within the national new media
Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services
Experience in communications and stakeholder management
Good understanding of the background and aims of current organsiational priorities and objectives and understand how communications and engagement can deliver this

Desirable

Experience in communications and stakeholder management
Workforce development knowledge and experience.

Skills Capabilities & Attributes

Essential

Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
Evidence of success in effective project and programme management.
Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks

Values and behaviours

Essential

Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do. Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public
Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients.
Values diversity and difference operates with integrity and openness.
Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others.
Consistently looks to improve what they do, look for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation
Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same.
Willingness to learn from others people's experiences, expertise and perspectives
Appreciates the importance of communications and engagement in delivering for patients, improving services and supporting frontline staff
Believes in the importance of helping colleagues.
Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships