Communications Officer

NHS; Dudley; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare organization in Dudley seeks a Communications Specialist to enhance community engagement and digital communications. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills and experience in managing media inquiries, strategy implementation, and collaboration with diverse teams. This role offers a salary range of £31,049 to £37,796 per annum, pro rata, and aims to attract candidates who share a commitment to health equity and inclusive practices.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or equivalent work experience in a relevant field.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of NHS guidance, policy, and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of communications KPI's and strategy.
• Work alongside communications manager on initiatives.
• Manage media enquiries and craft targeted communications.
• Develop strategies for improving staff engagement.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Digital media expertise

Analytical skills

Project management

Collaboration skills

Education

Degree level qualification in relevant field

Tools

Content management systems

Desktop publishing software

Social media platforms

Job description

We are looking for a Communications specialist who has a real passion to put the Dudley Group at the forefront through excellent communications.

Do you have the ability to connect us with the local communities we serve, with our incredible NHS staff, with local and national media and with our key stakeholder groups?

If you have the skills to develop and deliver strategies, create/write exciting and informative content and use digital platforms to communicate in a way that is modern, relevant and informative then we want you to work with us.

Main duties of the job

• a. Support the implementation of communications KPI's, strategy and activity.
• b. To work alongside the communications manager to ensure systems, processes and initiatives are followed.
• c. Supporting divisional communications and staff engagement activities
• d. Provide information to the communications manager to ensure directors and managers have information to develop communications and engagement actions plans.
• e. Support the work of the director of communications and head of communications to develop communications processes and evaluation tools that support the Trust annual plans and strategic objectives.
• f. Ensure communication of the NHS National Staff Survey
• g. To support the production of The Dudley Group Annual Report
• h. To help ensure the positive reputation of The Dudley Group through proactive and positive external communications
• i. To research and apply for awards relevant to key areas of the work of The Dudley Group
• j. Support the development of plans to tackle any areas of concern for staff engagement supporting managers with tools and information to make changes.
• k. Support the communications manager with communication and marketing strategies
• l. Manage media enquiries and write media responses and releases for approvals
• m. To ensure all targeted media releases are tailored for digital channels to ensure maximum reach
• n. To design creative and innovative content across all of our communications channels

About us

At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

We are committed to becoming a diverse and an inclusive employer and where people feel sense of belonging. Seeking to expand diversity within our teams, we positively encourage applications from under-represented groups such as ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQ+ groups. We are also under-represented in-terms of gender within nursing roles and we would welcome applications from people from male and non-binary backgrounds.

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust recognises the values and transferable skills that the Armed Forces community bring and recognise their compatibility with NHS roles.

We are committed to home life balance through flexible working and making reasonable adjustments where possible.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification / equivalent demonstrable work experience in relevant field or professional certificate qualification in related field
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development in related field

Knowledge

• Knowledge of guidance, policy and legislation relevant to the position
• Good general knowledge of the NHS

Experience

• Management and leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Experience of leading projects
• Experience of collaborative working with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams
• Experience of working with and influencing staff at all levels including senior management and directors
• Experience of supporting the implementation of strategy
• Experience of working with staff and customers at all levels
• Experience of individual and team performance management
• Experience of working in a press office
• Experience of digital media
• Experience of social media
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of desktop publishing & design
• Experience of website and content management

Planning and Organisational Skills

• Excellent written skills including ability to analyse and interpret complex information
• Ability to innovate
• Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills, and the ability to anticipate and address problems and provide workable solutions
• Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritise, maintain high quality of work and achieve deadlines
• Proven excellent organisational and leadership skills
• Proven ability to implement system to obtain feedback and view from customers/public
• Proven ability to negotiate with others in an organisation

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.

£31,049 to £37,796 a yearPro Rata Per Annum