Description
Communications Manager - £200-£250 - London - NEL CSU - 2 months initially
In this varied and exciting role, you will provide operational communications management for clinical commissioning groups and other clients. You will be part of a large but close-knit team of 70 communications specialists, and will be supported by a senior communications manager.
You will work directly with clients, providing communications and engagement support and advice, as they work to improve heath and healthcare services for patients. You will ultimately help to improve the health of local populations by ensuring customers have access to the information and support that they need in order to do their jobs well, involving local people in developing their health services, and providing communities with information to help them choose well and be healthier.
Communications:
Provide strategic communications advice and support to clients, including:
o identifying clients' needs and wishes, effectively planning to meet those needs, and accurate and timely delivery of communications actions and products
o identifying, or contributing to identifying, specific strategies to tackle critical reputational issues for clients, forward planning where appropriate
o reporting regularly to clients and CSU management as required.
Proactive and reactive media management, including:
o drafting media releases and statements
o participating in an out-of-hours communications rota, ensuring 24/7 emergency media handling support for clients
o supporting crisis management communications including coordination and media handling
o developing strong relationships with the media, and use these for the benefit of clients and the CSU
o supporting clinicians and senior managers to be interviewed and advise on handling of issues and situations when dealing with the media
o managing filming and photography requests by liaising with the relevant staff, departments and media outlets.
o Design, develop and deliver communications strategies, campaigns and materials, including:
o producing a varied range of high quality communications and marketing materials, including annual reports, brochures and websites, from copywriting through to design
o writing, editing and uploading content to websites
o commissioning and managing suppliers, particularly graphic design and digital services
o implementing robust planning and governance processes to ensure campaigns and activities are delivered on time, to budget and are of a high quality
o carrying out evaluations.
Stakeholder management and public affairs to support clients in their dealings with political stakeholders, including:
o monitoring local and national political activity and developing briefings on issues
o providing intelligence, research, analysis and advice on political issues relating to the NHS
o identifying opportunities for proactive engagement with stakeholders
o horizon-scanning for key issues of concern to clients and/or stakeholders, for example by reviewing overview and scrutiny committee agendas
o supporting clients with stakeholder meetings - such as scrutiny committees, MP meetings
o supporting responses to contentious or sensitive enquiries from elected members.
o Maintain and develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders including NHS England, Department of Health, MP offices, scrutiny officers, Healthwatch, client teams and CSU senior management team, including:
o managing requests for briefing, ensuring accurate and timely responses at all times
o preparing targeted communications materials to key stakeholders as required
o supporting the management of political/VIP visits.
o Advise on best practice and support clients to involve patients and the public, based on the duty to consult under Section 134z of the Health and Social Care Act 2013. This includes supporting the development and delivery of consultation strategies and plans.
o Any other duties as may be reasonably required.
Essential Experience:
- Proven experience writing for a variety of a) internal and b) external audiences, including: board/executive team reports, strategies, web copy, public-facing documents, media statements etc
- Experience of advising and supporting senior managers and leaders
- Experience of operating in a flexible and changing environment, coping with ambiguity, and working collaboratively in cross-functional teams
- Experience of managing the media a) proactively and b) reactively
- Experience of managing relationships with stakeholders
- Excellent, demonstrable writing skills: a) engaging, b) plain English, c) well structured, d) consistent style, e) no errors
- Ability to work in a structured, professional way, always delivering on promises.
- Proven ability to work in a customer facing service, offering the highest standards of customer service and professionalism
Desirable:
- Experience of working with a diverse range of healthcare stakeholders, such as clinicians, senior managers, front line staff, patients and their representative groups
- Experience of a) developing and b) delivering successful marketing and communications strategies and campaigns
- Experience of process development, mapping and management
- Experience carrying out research and analysis for research reports
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS and the broader health system landscape
- Ability to deliver results by directing the activities of others and/or using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
- Ability to build and maintain high quality professional relationships and use them to generate opportunities and leads for future work.
- Knowledge of web technology for marketing and PR purposes, including social networks/blogs and online advertising