Communications Officer (XN05)

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public healthcare provider is seeking a proactive and versatile Communications Officer in Leeds. This role involves creating content for digital channels, supporting events, and managing internal communication strategies. The ideal candidate should hold a degree in Communication or a related field and have experience in public relations. Strong writing skills and digital media proficiency are required, as well as the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Apply now for an exciting opportunity to enhance the organization's communication impact.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public relations techniques and experience within the NHS or public sector.
• Understanding of healthcare organisational complexities.
• IT literate with good knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Create engaging content for newsletters, the website, and emails.
• Support the planning and delivery of Academy and corporate events.
• Monitor digital media channels and respond to queries.
• Assist in developing strategic communication projects.

Skills

Effective communications techniques

Strong writing skills

Digital media skills

Organisational skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Education

Degree in Communication, Marketing or PR

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google platform including Google Sites

Job description

Thisis a fixed term contract until December 2026.

Areyou a highly organised and enthusiastic communications professional lookingfor a challenging and rewarding role?

Weare seeking a proactive and versatile Communications Officer to work acrossthe NIHR Academy and NIHR Corporate Communications Team.

Thisunique role offers the chance to manage essential business as usualcommunications and engagement support, while contributing to key strategicprojects that enhance the NIHR's presence and impact.

Whilstthe job description refers to specific press office responsibilities, thefocus of this will focus on internal communications.

Expected ShortlistingDate

09/01/2026

Planned InterviewDate

19/01/2026

Main duties of the job

Asa Communications Officer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the vitalwork of the NIHR Academy and the wider NIHR Corporate Team is communicatedeffectively, both internally and externally. This will include:

• Creatingaccurate and engaging content for the NIHR website and intranet, andcoordinating the build and distribution of newsletters and emails.
• Providingsupport for the planning and delivery of events, including the AcademyMembers Conference and webinars.
• Supportingin material management and travel booking.
• Monitoringand responding to queries in central communications inboxes.
• Contributingto the development and delivery of key strategic projects, such as thecreation and distribution of new digital assets, the maintenance of theSenior Investigators Directory, and the new intranet platform.
• Asa member of the Internal Communications Delivery Team - delivering supportfor wider-NIHR central internal communications, keeping colleagues informedin accessible, timely and engaging ways.

About us

TheNational Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission toimprove the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR playsa pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchersand complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class researchfacilities and a skilled research workforce.

Thisrole is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers thework of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect ofacademic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres andthe Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department ofHealth and Social Care (DHSC).

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

General

• Towork as a member of the Communications, Involvement and Development Team,ensuring the effective communication of key messages
• Providesupport to the Communications Manager and Assistant Communications Manager indelivering the NIHR Academys communication and engagement strategy
• Provideback-up support for the Communications Assistant role to undertakeadministrative tasks for the Communications, Involvement and Development team
• Providetraining in communications processes to other colleagues across the office
• Monitoring,analysing, evaluating and enhancing digital media channels including socialmedia, intranet and the website
• Workingclosely with the Assistant Communications Manager to ensure corporateand operational messaging iscommunicated promptly, accurately and effectively via digital media channels
• Leadon the design of social media and web-based campaigns, as directed by theAssistant Communications Manager
• Supportingthe NIHR Academys webinar programme
• Leadon the NIHR Academy Executive Intranet

Communicationsand Printed materials

• Toresearch, coordinate, create and publish content for communications for avariety of audiences and media channels
• Managethe production of materials by external suppliers including designers andprinters
• Dealwith all contacts in a courteous and professional manner and will need todevelop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range ofcontacts.
• Commenton policies developed within the Communications team, making suggestionswhere requested
• Measurementand evaluation of campaigns

Eventsand campaigns

• Assistwith the production of publicity and other material (written and digital) insupport of events and campaigns, including supporting with planning andorganisation.
• SupportNIHR Academy events and campaigns to ensure all activities are carried outprofessionally
• Evaluateand analyse events, as well as identify event opportunities

Person Specification

Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of effective communications and public relations techniques, together with strong writing skills
• Experience within the NHS or other public sector
• Understands complexity of working within a healthcare organisation
• Familiar with the Google platform including Google Sites

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (Communication, Marketing or PR related or able to demonstrate equivalent work experience)

Additional Requirements

• Is IT literate with good experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office
• There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings
• Able to travel around the county

Skills & behaviours

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
• Digital media skills, including an ability to use a content management system and manage social media content
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, yet also capable of working on own initiative
• Able to communicate with a variety of people and build effective relationships
• Able to work as an individual and prioritise own workload
• Is keen and able to work with minimal supervision
• Imaginative able to generate creative campaign ideas
• Ability to work closely with multiple stakeholders and influence outcomes to achieve priorities