Head of Communications and Engagement | Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Communications and Engagement
Department: Communications and Engagement Team
Band 8b £62,215-£72,293 Per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for an experienced and skilled communications professional with the drive to lead our busy, fast-paced communications and engagement team at Milton Keynes University Hospital, responsible for delivering all internal, external and digital communications, content and collateral, PR and media relations, stakeholder engagement and corporate events
You will be a senior influencer, adept at delivering impactful, evidence-based and ambitious communications and engagement strategies. You will be used to working in a complex system, managing sensitive issues and competing priorities. You will have a demonstrable commitment to collaborative working with stakeholders as well as a passion for improving communications and engagement to support high quality patient care and services
The Head of Communications and Engagement will be given plenty of opportunities to work alongside senior leaders within the hospital, the broader health and care system and with regional and national organisations, such as the Bedfordshire,Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, NHS England, and the Department for Health and Social Care
For informal discussions about the role, please contact: Kate Jarman, Chief Corporate Services Officer kate.jarman@mkuh.nhs.ukInterview date: 24th October 2024
The role will further enable the successful candidate to grow both personally and professional through study and shadowing opportunities.
It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the Trust as the organisation continues to grow to meet the changing health needs of one of the fastest growing areas in the country. The Communications team will be at the heart of this evolution and the Head of Communications and Engagement will be pivotal in driving this strategic change forward.
The Head of Communications and Engagement is responsible for leading the busy, fast-paced communications and engagement team at Milton Keynes University Hospital. Providing strategic professional advice and expertise on all aspects of communication, staff and stakeholder engagement for the Trust, the role requires the candidate to demonstrate leadership to both the department and within the wider organisation and health system.
The Head of Communications and Engagement should have a helicopter view of the political landscape and the health and care system and utilise this knowledge to advise and influence senior leaders across the hospital as well as the local health economy.
- Administrative and Clerical colleagues experience a highly compassionate and inclusive work environment at MKUH, scoring 7.56 out of 10.’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
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As the lead for all communications and engagement across the Trust, the role requires the candidate to take responsibility for crisis communications, reputation and media management; strategic communications planning and work programmes; organisational programmes that require communications and engagement support; as well as the day-to-day activities of the team.
The post holder will manage and develop our talented communications and engagement team; prioritising and assigning projects/tasks, ensuring delivery of objectives, and nurturing a great team dynamic. They’ll also have plenty of opportunities to develop their own skills and be proactive in shaping their career.
Main duties and responsibilities
This role reports to the Chief Corporate Services Officer and leads a team of communications and engagement professionals.
The role will act as the strategic lead and be accountable for the communications and engagement functions of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; providing professional advice, expertise and leadership on all aspects of communication, staff and stakeholder engagement and maximising opportunities to promote the work of the Trust.
Key Responsibilities
Provide proactive personal communications support, expertise and coaching to the Chief Executive Officer, Board and senior leadership team to ensure that all their communications are effective and advance the aims of the Trust.
Lead on developing positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communication representatives from other NHS organisations and local authorities to enhance knowledge of the Trust, maximising media opportunities that assist in the successful implementation of communications and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Lead, develop and implement a stakeholder engagement and communications strategy to support the work of the organisation, manage the reputation of the Trust and support its strategic objectives. Establish and communicate the key messages and objectives of the Trust in order to promote a positive image and, when necessary, limit adverse publicity using a range of media including website, stakeholder newsletters, social media and special events.
Develop procedures, standards and policies around media management, events, VIP visits, corporate identity, patient communications and other areas of communications and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately.
Define and deliver a compelling brand for the Trust which clearly supports the mission, vision and values.
Ensure that publicity/marketing materials and patient information are of a high standard and accessible to and appropriate for relevant audiences and reflect the diversity of the communities served by the Trust.
Lead on communications for responding to a crisis or handling major/ serious incidents.
Develop and lead the internal communications strategy and support the Trust’s leadership team to deliver its programme of organisational change.
Provide strategic advice and expertise to help build an engaged, informed and motivated workforce, developing opportunities for staff to give feedback and contribute to decision making.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with the media, maximise positive coverage and ensure balance in all media coverage, in order to promote public confidence in the Trust.
Train and support colleagues to ensure Trust representatives can manage media opportunities appropriately – including interview skills.
Manage and oversee consultation responses, statements, Freedom of Information requests from the media, and ministerial briefings.
Oversee the provision of an effective press office function which gives accurate and timely responses to media enquiries and monitor media coverage to identify weak areas and develop and maintain strong areas.
Oversee the production, content and distribution of the core elements of the annual report and other publications as required.
Lead an effective, professional communication and stakeholder engagement team, ensuring all Trust HR policies are adhered to.
Exercise ability to analyse and interpret highly complex facts, situations or communications to provide sound communications and engagement advice to the senior leadership team to ensure a best-practice approach to communications is adopted across all projects, programmes and engagement forums.
Manage the full communications and engagement budget, including management of ongoing service contracts and the procurement of news goods/services, and display good fiscal responsibility to ensure that value for money is delivered.
Be the corporate communications lead for all VIP visits, ensuring stakeholder organisations are aware, senior leaders are briefed and that media are managed appropriately.
Please refer to Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
This advert closes on Wednesday 16 Oct 2024