Senior Media & Communications Manager

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading NHS Trust as a Communications Professional, where you'll lead integrated communication plans focused on research and innovation. Collaborate with renowned institutions and drive media coverage of outstanding outcomes in life sciences. Benefit from career development in a supportive environment dedicated to patient care.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working options

Staff recognition scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Significant experience in media and communications in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver integrated communications plans.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with Adobe software.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications for research and innovation activities.
• Respond to media enquiries and manage crisis communications.
• Build relationships to create impactful research stories.

Skills

Crisis management

Teamwork

Media relations

Social media

Education

Master's degree in relevant subject

Bachelor's degree in STEM or related subject

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Adobe products

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic communications professional to lead communications for our research and innovation activities and life sciences developments at one of the largest hospital trusts in the country. You will be responsible for linking research communications into the wider strategic direction of the Trust and national priorities and work closely with the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre team, wider research delivery teams and our primary academic partner, Imperial College London.

By joining our media team, you'll also be responsible for responding to a high level of media enquiries and using your creativity and flair to secure positive media coverage, particularly for our research and innovation stories. You'll have a knowledge of social media to support the promotion of the achievements of our organisation and people. You'll be adept in a crisis and ready to provide support in a major incident, you also understand the need for teamwork and are happy to pitch in and supervise filming projects in our hospitals.

Please note: We welcome secondments from other NHS organisations.

Main duties of the job

- Leading and managing integrated communication plans to support the Trust's organisational strategy, with a focus on research and life sciences

- Build strong relationships with staff, partners and researchers to create a pipeline of research stories

- Plan and deliver strong, impactful content translating scientific research into accessible, human interest stories

- Connecting our research and innovation developments into wider public and media discussions

- Be part of our reactive communications service, ensuring we provide prompt and accurate responses to media enquiries and opportunities

- Providing media relations and issues management expertise, advice and support to Trust leaders and spokespeople.

- Providing leadership to staff working in media and the wider communications team and inspire confidence in colleagues in the Trust in the expertise within the department

- Contributing to wider communications team materials including blogs, videos, social media, features and news articles

About us

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Details Date posted

10 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year pa inclusive

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

290-CR-873

Job locations

Trustwide

London

W2 1NY

Job description Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Job description Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential

• Educated to master's degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or similar in a STEM or related subject

Experience Essential

• Significant experience of a media and communications role in a complex, multi-audience organisation
• Proven track record in developing and delivering effective media plans within wider integrated communications campaigns
• Experience of methods and approaches to ensure communications reach - and are relevant to - diverse audiences
• Experience of delivering and/or commissioning communications collateral and activities
• Experience of crisis management and/or issues management

Desirable

• Account management experience - inhouse or agency
• Experience of managing individuals and budgets, directly or for a campaign/project

Skills / knowledge / abilities Essential

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other relevant programmes and software

Desirable

• Familiar with use of Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential

• Educated to master's degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Relevant professional qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or similar in a STEM or related subject

Experience Essential

• Significant experience of a media and communications role in a complex, multi-audience organisation
• Proven track record in developing and delivering effective media plans within wider integrated communications campaigns
• Experience of methods and approaches to ensure communications reach - and are relevant to - diverse audiences
• Experience of delivering and/or commissioning communications collateral and activities
• Experience of crisis management and/or issues management

Desirable

• Account management experience - inhouse or agency
• Experience of managing individuals and budgets, directly or for a campaign/project

Skills / knowledge / abilities Essential

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other relevant programmes and software

Desirable

• Familiar with use of Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Trustwide

London

W2 1NY

Employer's website

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Trustwide

London

W2 1NY

Employer's website

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)