Band 6 - Communications Officer, Communications

NHS; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust seeks a Communications Officer to enhance internal communications, engage staff through impactful storytelling, and develop innovative strategies. This role supports a dynamic team with opportunities to improve patient and community outreach, working hybrid across multiple channels.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in communications.
• Evidence of continued professional development in communications.

Responsibilities

• Support internal communications service, writing, editing and planning content.
• Create, plan and share content across multiple channels.
• Lead on specific campaigns and initiatives through the year.

Skills

Communication

Content Creation

Storytelling

Evaluation and Measurement

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Specialist communications qualification

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 6 - Communications Officer, Communications

The closing date is 25 June 2025

We're looking for a talented all-rounder who will play a key role in delivering communications to our staff, patients and local communities which are relevant, timely and targeted.

You'll be brimming with ideas for improving our internal communications and understand how to evaluate and assess what's working and what's not.

You'll be data-driven and audience-focused, and be a truly multi-channel operator who can turn their hand to recording a short video for social media, write a press release or help plan a VIP visit to the hospital.

You'll enjoy campaigns and raising awareness around specific events or issues, and be a great storyteller.

This is a role which will be varied, and will give you the freedom to test new and different approaches.

Most importantly, we're looking for the right attitude and for people who want to learn, develop and make a difference.

It's an exciting time to join us - we're a small, friendly team with big ambitions to punch well above our weight. If you're ambitious, passionate about making a difference and know how you can help deliver real impact for our communities then we would love to hear from you.

Working pattern: Monday - Friday, with hybrid working (at least two days in the office each week).

****** IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ ******

Please note - we are unable to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (Work Permit) for this role.

*Previous applicants need not apply*

Main duties of the job

You support our internal communications service, writing, editing and planning content for our new intranet.

Act as a quality controller - ensuring high standards in writing, editing and proofing.

Evaluate content performance on the intranet, provide reports on results and proactively propose new ideas and improvements.

Support internal teams and leaders with specific announcements and offer advice on how best to approach sensitive issues or events.

Lead on delivering the measurement and evaluation approaches for internal and engagement communications enabling the Trust to develop an evidence base for its work.

Support in delivering key staff engagement events and campaigns, including the annual Star of Herts awards and finding ways to celebrate our colleagues' work.

Develop and drive an innovative approach to the development of internal communications and engagement, exploring best practice approaches from the public and private sectors to empower and motivate our diverse workforce.

Support and play an active role in creating content for our social channels, including videos, taking photos and monitoring performance.

Draft and sell-in media stories with local, regional and specialist news.

Build relationships with reporters and look for proactive opportunities.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

Creating, planning and sharing content across multiple channels for different audiences.

Planning and evaluation for our content, assessing how it is performing and recommending any action which we should take.

Leading on specific campaigns and initiatives through the year.

Providing support, tools and guidance for colleagues relating to specific on-going projects and initiatives, such as the values and behaviours.

Audit internal communications and engagement channels on a regular basis and devise and implement action plans to make any required improvements.

Support the development of our new intranet, and ensure we maximise its relevancy and effectiveness to our staff community.

Act as a lead for the development of first class internal content including copy writing, photography and film to tell our story online in a way that excites and inspires.

Provide on-going support for the Trusts redevelopment ambitions, ensuring staff are aware of the changes, benefits and timelines.

Lead on planning processes and ensuring our calendars and workstreams are kept up-to-date.

To pick up ad-hoc work and provide flexible support depending on priorities and needs within the Trust.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of complex, public facing organisations and how to effectively communicate to multiple different stakeholders
• Knowledge of media relations, social media and internal communications best practice.
• Understanding the latest developments in internal communications and engagement.
• Knowledge of integrated content approaches and delivery
• Knowledge of effective evaluations and measurement.
• Knowledge of brand management and marketing techniques and their application

Experience

• Delivering high impact campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff and stakeholders
• Acting as an advisor to the Trust on comms issues and opportunities.
• Creating and sharing high impact content across multiple channels. High quality written skills and story-telling abilities.
• Experienced at creating video content and editing for different platforms.
• Understanding of different social platforms and testing different approaches.
• Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and engagement and designing channels that target audiences precisely
• Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.
• Experience of supporting the internal response to major incidents and crisis communications.
• Experience in use of data to shape approach and guide comms strategies.
• Experience of a wide range of internal communications platforms and tactics, including videos, briefings, Teams, and in-person visits / listening sessions.
• Experience of building strong networks across an organisation
• Experience of training and upskilling teams on internal communications best practice.
• Experience of supporting stakeholder events, launches and campaigns.
• Experience of media relations, what makes a good story and selling in stories to media outlets.

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust