Communications Specialist for Design and Brand Management

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare trust in Plymouth is seeking a Communications Specialist to manage brand identity and produce high-quality visual communications across various channels. The ideal candidate will possess extensive graphic design skills, proven experience in PR and communications, and strong interpersonal abilities. This position involves collaboration across teams to support the organization's strategy and engage effectively with stakeholders. The role offers opportunities for career development in a dynamic, people-centred environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in PR/Communications in the public sector.
• Extensive experience creating content across channels including video and social media.
• Outstanding track record in delivering high-quality graphic design.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Trust’s brand identity and ensure adherence to guidelines.
• Produce high-quality publications and graphics for various uses.
• Provide complex advice and crisis communications support.

Skills

Graphic design skills

Communication skills

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience

Recognised qualification in multimedia or graphic design

Tools

Adobe Design Suite

Social media management tools

Job description

The Communications Specialist: Brand and Design Management is a crucial role within the Communications and Engagement Team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP). We are looking for an experienced, talented and passionate designer with a commitment to creating accessible communications. Your experience and knowledge of graphic design will be key to producing content for all communication channels including social media, videos, photography, corporate documents and print materials. You will manage jobs from brief to completion, working with colleagues to support UHP's strategy and tell the stories of our patients and colleagues. You will act in an advisory capacity to colleagues across the organisation to ensure adherence to national and local brand guidelines, maintaining high levels of accessibility, and proactively support engaging solutions and materials to meet organisational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Preference will be given to internal Trust staff and to NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who can demonstrate recent relevant experience as specified by the Person Specification.
• Manage the Trust’s brand identity:
  • Ensure brand guidelines support national NHS brand guidelines, are publicised and adhered to throughout the organisation.
  • Oversee format, styles and templates for Patient Information, working with Patients Services to meet brand and accessibility guidelines.
  • Populate and manage the Trust’s image library.
• Use specialist graphic design and software skills to produce high‑quality graphics (online and print) and visual materials such as pop‑up banners, posters, main entrance images.
• Produce high‑quality publications such as the Annual Report.
• Provide highly specialist and complex advice, including crisis communications advice and guidance to all staff, directors and senior management; offer crisis and event management support.
• Support the team as required with:
  • Social media and media management.
  • Storytelling using words, visuals and video across a range of audiences.
  • Crisis and event management support.
  • Interpersonal communication and presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent experience that demonstrates specialist knowledge and capability.
• Recognised qualification or equivalent experience in multi‑media or graphic design.
• Undertakes CPD and has significant demonstrable experience in PR/Communications, particularly in the public sector, evidencing knowledge of communications, public relations and marketing techniques.
• Extensive experience creating content across a range of channels including video and social media.
• Extensive experience in graphic design and use of software packages, demonstrating thorough knowledge of brand identity management.
• Outstanding track record in delivering high‑quality graphic design.
• Professional track record in media and social management, with demonstrated innovative use of social media and campaign analytics.
• Proven knowledge and experience of specialist software such as the Adobe Design Suite and social media management tools.
• Effective communication skills – written, verbal and interpersonal – with fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Proven ability to prioritise workload, managing several projects concurrently.

Desirable

• Membership of CIPR, CIM or PRCA.

Essential Aptitude & Abilities

• Effective communication skills – written, verbal and interpersonal – with fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Effective influencing skills with colleagues and key stakeholders, particularly the media.

As an organisation we are a people‑business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining UHP means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. UHP offers extensive career development opportunities in a progressive working environment, in a vibrant modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.