Senior Communications and Marketing Officer

NHS National Services Scotland; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Health Scotland seeks a Senior Communications and Marketing Officer to lead strategic initiatives enhancing public health communications. The role involves developing impactful marketing activities across high-profile areas, advising on projects, and engaging stakeholders to promote health equality across Scotland. Successful candidates will possess strong communication skills and a relevant postgraduate qualification, with experience in public sector environments valued.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Policies

Occupational Health Services

Learning Resource Centres

Discounted Leisure and Financial Benefits

Qualifications

• Significant experience in marketing or communications, preferably in a public sector organisation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate strategic communications and marketing activities.
• Provide on the ground communications and marketing advice and expertise.
• Lead on the development and delivery of integrated communications projects.

Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Skills

Crisis Management

Project Management

Communications Skills

Education

Postgraduate qualification in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations

Job description

About the Organisation:
Public Health Scotland launched 1st April 2020 as a national health board, employing around 1200 people, and with an annual budget of around £101 million. Public Health Scotland wants to see a Scotland where everybody thrives, a Scotland where life expectancy improves and the difference in life expectancy between our poorest and wealthiest areas gets smaller.

The Post:

We’re looking for a Senior Communications and Marketing Officer to join our team and make a big impact on public health communications and marketing in Scotland.

As a Senior Communications and Marketing Officer, you will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive plans that engage our stakeholders and position Public Health Scotland’s work and achievements towards our mission to promote, protect and prolong health and create a Scotland where everybody can thrive.

Lead on the development, delivery, and evaluation of specific communications and marketing activities to support an area of work within strategic planning, employee engagement, press office or corporate communications.

At Public Health Scotland (PHS) we're committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities through well-developed strategic communications and marketing activities that are designed to make a difference.

This post involves leading and planning communications and marketing activities across several high-profile public health priority areas. As Senior Communications and Marketing Officer you will:

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate strategic communications and marketing activities across high-profile public health areas.
• Work with topic specialists and the Communications Team to scope, advise and ensure effective delivery of projects.
• Provide account management and specialist advice on audience, products and channels to plan and deliver integrated communications and marketing projects (such as campaigns and events).
• Use insight, synthesise data and evidence to drive positive behaviour change that informs and motivates our citizens via creative approaches to communications and marketing.
• Create compelling content that highlights PHS’s initiatives, impact and the value of its work.
• Seek and maximise opportunities to promote, position and protect PHS and the organisation’s reputation.
• Provide on the ground communications and marketing advice and expertise to develop, deliver and evaluate a range of planned and highly visible activities to build greater public awareness of the work that PHS leads across Scotland
• Work in partnership with other key PHS teams, the Scottish Government and other national bodies to deliver effective communications and marketing strategies that work.
• Participate in a 24/7 on call service.

The Candidate:
You are a highly motivated, organised professional with excellent stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills. You have an eye for detail and are solutions orientated.

You can promote and position the work that you and your team do and be able to confidently demonstrate how this work is successfully impacting on the public health priorities and reduction in health inequalities that PHS is aligned to.

Your skills and experience:

• Education: Postgraduate qualification in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Significant experience in marketing or communications, preferably within a public sector organisation (NHS, third sector, or local government). Experience of planning and managing delivery of multimedia communications and marketing activity across a variety of channels and evaluating impacts and outcomes.
• Skills: Ability to analyse complex information, summarize key issues, and present them effectively to diverse audiences.
• Crisis Management: Experience in supporting high-profile incidents and maintaining business continuity.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, delivering high-quality results on time and within budget.
• Communications: Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, with a sound understanding of the media and political landscape in Scotland and the UK.

If you choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced by AI or similar technologies.

Location and Working Pattern:
The post is based at either Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Bothwell Street, Glasgow. Hybrid working is offered but candidates may choose to work solely in the office.

The work pattern is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week. Participation in a 24/7 on call rota service is part of this role.

PHS is a flexible employer, and we are happy to discuss requests for alternative working patterns

During times of public health emergency, or other urgent business need, you may be required on a temporary basis to work your normal contracted working hours over 7 days including weekends, in order to meet the needs of the service.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with PHS.

Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. Click here to view the full range of the PHS Employee Benefits.

Further Information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Euan Mackay, Strategic Communications and Marketing Lead, at [e-mail]

Closing date for completed applications is 18th July 2025.

Further information on PHS is available from: www.publichealthscotland.scot

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).

Public Health Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.