Senior Communications Officer

In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible

IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment or education references covering 3 years. If you have gaps you will be required to provide character references. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment or education references covering 3 years.

Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Job overview

The Senior Communications Officer will oversee and deliver communications and marketing within a busy NHS subsidiary. The role compromises of both internal and external communications, Public relations, aspects of marketing and event planning.

The post holder will work with the Senior Leadership team to support the company strategy through communication methods.

• Ensure that communications are consistent with our vision, values and strategic objectives - Promoting and enhancing the reputation of QE Facilities.
• Develop and manage marketing, communication and engagement plans through high quality, professional, innovative, creative and continuously improving approaches to digital communications and marketing to target audiences in order to support the delivery of QEF’s Strategy.
• Use specialist knowledge of marketing and communications to implement the most effective approach to, and development of, content for marketing and communication campaigns.
• Respond to media enquiries and be proactive with the media through the liaison with the Trust’s Head of Communications and ensure sensitive and confidential issues are responded to appropriately in line with the Group’s processes.
• Write, edit, proofread and coordinate publications for both internal and external audiences
• Support the development and use of digital and social media to communicate with various audiences.
• Produce and publish material for the QEF website, intranet page, and social media channels taking into account accessibility.

Working for our organisation

QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.

We provide a range of non- clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include: estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).

In addition we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.

QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.

We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.

• Provide advice to managers and employees on appropriate communication and marketing techniques and how to communicate high-impact issues, ensuring that confidential and sensitive information is handled effectively and appropriately.
• Establish and maintain relationships with a broad range of internal and external partners
• Research, collate, audit and analyse complex data in order to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of a media, marketing and communications initiatives that seek to deliver the required outcomes of the organisation’s programme in order to ensure consistency, attainment of standards and best value.
• • Assist with the design and print of promotional material and end-user/patient leaflets. Ensuring brand guidelines are followed and editing copy to improve readability (Plain English and accessibility standards). When required, procure professional design and print services.

Person specification

Knowledge & Skills

• Specialist knowledge of communications, journalism, PR or marketing
• Management/supervisory skills and experience
• Strong IT and literacy skills
• Knowledge of videography, editing software and social media management tools
• Ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines

Experience

• Experience of evaluating the impact of marketing and communications campaigns.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to liaise and communicate with staff and stakeholders at any level of the organisation
• Experience of copywriting a range of audiences

• Experience devising and delivering multi-channel customer/business-focused marketing and communication campaigns and strategies
• Experience in presenting to senior-level stakeholders
• Event management experiences.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent with relevant work experience

• Professional qualification in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism (or relevant experience)

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke free organisation in line with Smoke Free Gateshead