Communications and Engagement Manager (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover – minimum 12 months, secondments will be considered)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, motivated and ambitious Communications and Engagement Manager to join the Communications and Engagement Team at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on a 12-month fixed-term contract to provide maternity cover.
This is a fantastic role for a communications professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the heart of a busy NHS organisation. No two days are the same, and you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact by helping to protect and enhance the Trust's reputation while supporting staff, patients and local communities.
As Communications and Engagement Manager, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, professional and responsive communications across the Trust. You will lead on a range of internal and external communications projects and campaigns, providing expert advice and support while helping to shape and deliver strategic communications and engagement activity.
If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to one of the region's busiest and most dynamic NHS trusts, we'd love to hear from you.
For further details, please contact Laura Creaby on
[email protected]
This is a diverse and rewarding role, managing multiple projects simultaneously and working with colleagues at all levels of the organisation. Key responsibilities will include:
Leading media relations activity, including managing press enquiries and proactive media opportunities.
Supporting the Trust's reputation and profile through effective communications and stakeholder engagement.
Developing and delivering internal and external communications campaigns.
Producing high-quality content for digital and print channels, including corporate publications.
Managing website and intranet content.
Creating engaging content for social media and staff communication channels.
Planning and delivering events and engagement activities.
Building strong relationships with stakeholders, partners and local communities.
To be successful, you will be an excellent communicator with strong writing, organisational and stakeholder-management skills. You will be proactive, diligent, and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.
Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.
We are part of a collaborative Group with the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this partnership, colleagues may occasionally work across both organisations to support shared services, development opportunities and patient care.
St Peter’s Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.
Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits and discounts.
Please note that adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.
For more information about careers at ASPH please visit:
www.asph-careers.org
Internal Communications
Work with the wider team to manage the staff news bulletin. Plan and generate content and help colleagues throughout ASPH to effectively share their messages.
- Help teams across ASPH with the planning and implementation of a variety of internal communications campaigns, including support with online surveys and questionnaires when necessary.
- Produce clear and detailed communications and engagement plans for a range of projects.
- Assist the team in supporting the Chief Executive, Chair and wider board with communication and engagement activities including the drafting of Board and Governor Briefings
Media Management
- To promote the Trust, ensuring that a proactive approach is taken to identifying strong stories, and the communication output supports and reinforces the Trust brand.
- To lead on issues and proactive projects drawing in support from the wider team as needed to formulate strategy for proactive, reactive media and crisis communications issues.
- To be able to coordinate visits from high profile visitors, such as government ministers, with and without media presence.
- To be able to produce excellent written work, including press releases, first person pieces and report content, including writing to short deadlines.
- Effectively manage media enquiries and advise colleagues on the right approach in relation to media issues. Produce media statements when required.
- Build strong relationships with local journalists and other relevant media, identifying new opportunities for positive PR and assist the team in delivering a proactive media strategy.
- Liaise with counterparts from partner organisations, ensuring a system approach where appropriate and negotiating to ensure there is a common approach to potentially controversial issues where opinions may differ.
Social and digital communications
- Support and develop digital thinking in the Trust C&E Team and identify new and innovative ways to promote our work in the digital space. Generate online coverage of our stories and ensure there is a strong digital element to all of the Trust’s media and communications work, including on social media.
- Day to day management of social media channels and development of new channels where required.
- Help to protect the reputation of ASPH by managing the delivery of accurate and timely responses and content across our digital channels.
- Generate content for the intranet and website, providing advice and support on the development of high quality digital information for staff, patients and the public.
- Plan and oversee filming and photography projects as and when required.
Event Management and Engagement
- Support with the organisation and running of internal and external events, including the drafting of speeches.
- Assist the Communication, Engagement and Experience Officer in managing the areas within the hospitals/partner organisations in terms of stands, events and external organisations visiting.
- Attend relevant external events run by partner organisations, including open days and widening participation events.
- Support with stakeholder engagement projects and ensure opportunities to strengthen relationships are exploited.
- Establish and/or develop new initiatives to broaden opportunities for people to contribute to system plans.
- Maintain and develop a structured system and programme for engagement and consultation.
- To manage and maintain a database of external relations contacts and develop regular communication channels sensitive to the needs of each audience.
- Ensure communications relating to engagement and consultation are accurate, can be easily understood and are fit for purpose.
- Develop and expand our work with representative groups
Branding, design and publications
- Work closely with the Creative Specialist as well as external suppliers.
- Oversee the content, design and production of regular corporate publications, and stakeholder updates such as the monthly membership update, media monitoring, information materials, leaflets, posters, social media assets and other ad-hoc communication and engagement materials.
Other
- Deputise for the Senior Communications and, Engagement Manager and Head of Communications and Engagement as required.
- Be proactive in identifying opportunities for your professional development and participate in mandatory training.
- Keep abreast of professional, technological and digital best practice, methods and services that could enhance the role or team .
- Be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all patient and colleague information handled in the course of this role.
- Be responsible for ensuring that all communications adhere to all areas of the General Data Protection Regulations, Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidelines.
- Any other duties as directed by the Head of and Director of Communications and Engagement and Chief Executive which support the Trust in the achievement of its organisational objectives, goals and legal obligations via effective engagement and communications.
- To support the department, organisation and group by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.
To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.
