Communications Manager - External Affairs

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Communications Manager to enhance internal and external communication strategies. This role involves engaging stakeholders, producing impactful content, and managing sensitive communications effectively. The ideal candidate will be educated to degree level and demonstrate substantial communications experience in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a related area like communications or PR.
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience required.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communications strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage communications strategies and campaigns.
• Engage with stakeholders and manage complex communications issues.
• Draft internal articles and content for diverse audiences.

Skills

Communication

Engagement

Content Development

Stakeholder Management

Education

Degree in Communications, PR, Marketing or Journalism

Specialist communications qualification

Job description

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Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

We're looking for an experienced communications and engagement specialist to join our busy Communications team and help us to tell our story.

You'll use your professional expertise to provide trusted communications advice, build strong relationships, and manage complex and challenging issues.

You will bring your excellent skills in managing channels developing content to meaningfully engage with colleagues at all levels and across disciplines.

Keen to learn and develop new ways of communicating, you will get creative when producing impactful campaigns that help us showcase the great work happening across our Trust and support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

No two days are ever the same in the NHS so being able to adapt is key - you'll need to be good at prioritising as well as working collaboratively as part of our close-knit team of multi-talented communication professionals.

This is a cross-site role - you will be based at one of our main hospital sites but will need to be able work flexibly across each of our sites.

Part time / Flexible working will be considered for the right applicant.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, the Communications Manager will play a lead role in ensuring that our stakeholders are engaged and involved in the Trust's vision, strategy and objectives, and will support managers in effective briefings, visits and opportunities to engage.

The post holder is expected to work with senior managers and clinicians, and leverage specialist external communications expertise in terms of making decisions around running communications campaigns and responding to key stakeholder groups around sensitive or complex issues.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.'

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to travel independently between hospitals sites and external venues using private or public transport

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level in related area management (communications, PR, marketing, journalism), equivalent qualification or equivalent. experience.
• Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge.
• Evidence of ongoing commitment to CPD

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as part of a busy team
• Proven experience of developing, implementing and evaluating internal communications strategies / plans / activities
• Experience of providing specialist external communications advice and making decisions on responding to communications requests on complex, sensitive or high-profile issues
• Strong written skills, evidenced throughout application form and previous experience of drafting internal articles, features and content for a range of audiences

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Communications Manager job description (PDF, 496.3KB)
• Privacy Policy (PDF, 441.0KB)
• AFC Pay Poster 25/26 (PDF, 32.3KB)
• Behaviours Framework (JPG, 298.0KB)
• Application Form (DOC, 233.0KB)