Band 8b - Head of Colleague Communications, Communications
Job overview
With nearly 6,000 staff members working across four sites, it’s vital we keep our people informed, supported and engaged.That’s not easy. Time is tight, clinical staff are busy treating patients and demand for services are higher than ever. In truth, few people are waiting for a newsletter to drop into their inbox.
And that’s where you come in. We’re looking for a creative, insights-led internal communications expert to help us not only improve how we communicate with our colleagues but also how we meaningful engage with them.
You will play a key role in helping foster a sense of belonging in the Trust, build an inclusive, community feel and champion the people who make this such a special place to work.
You will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of an effective, high quality internal communications and engagement strategy to support the objectives of the Trust.
You will provide both strategic and tactical advice to senior leaders relating to key issues and priorities, and sure we provide a highly effective operational communications service to the Trust.
It’s an exciting time to join us – we’re a small, friendly team with big ambitions to punch well above our weight. If you’re ambitious, passionate about making a difference and know how you can help deliver real impact for our communities then we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of an effective, high quality internal communications and staff engagement strategy to support the objectives of the Trust in line with the communications strategy.
You will provide both strategic and tactical internal communications and engagement advice to the senior leaders relating to key issues and priorities, whilst ensuring we provide a highly effective operational communications service to the Trust.
Lead the development of measurement and evaluation approaches for internal and engagement communications enabling the Trust to develop an evidence base for its work.
Advise senior colleagues on strategic internal communications and engagement issues, writing briefs and reports for directors as required.
Support in improving and strengthening the overall communications team, sharing skills, knowledge and role modelling our behaviours.
Support in delivering key staff engagement events and ‘thank yous’, including the annual Star of Herts awards and finding ways to celebrate our colleagues’ work.
Develop and drive an innovative approach to the development of internal communications and engagement, exploring best practice approaches from the public and private sectors to empower and motivate our diverse workforce.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.
www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Broad leadership responsibilities for staff communications and engagement across the Trust.
Provide support, tools and guidance for colleagues relating to specific on-going projects and initiatives, such as the values and behaviours.
Audit internal communications and engagement channels on a regular basis and devise and implement action plans to make any required improvements.
Discover the most effective, simple and impactful way of communicating with staff and in what format.
Lead the development of our new intranet, and ensure we maximise its relevancy and effectiveness to our staff community.
Act as a creative lead for the development of first class internal content including copy writing, photography and film to tell our story online in way that excites and inspires.
Line management responsibility of the internal communications and engagement team, supporting their professional development and training.
Develop campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.
Provide on-going support for the Trust’s redevelopment ambitions, ensuring staff are aware of the changes, benefits and timelines.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Specialist communications qualification or equivalent experience and knowledge
- Evidence of continued professional development.
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge of large organisation-wide projects involving operational and cultural change
- Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative methods for gaining audience insights.
- Understanding the latest developments in internal communications and engagement
- Understanding how to. identify and target specific audience groups
- Knowledge of integrated content approaches and delivery
- Knowledge of brand management and marketing techniques and their application.
- Knowledge of internal communications and engagement approaches from across sectors
Experience
Essential criteria- Developing and delivering high impact campaigns to raise awareness of key issues and opportunities for staff. This will include developing core narratives, resources for line managers, staff curated stories and engagement tactics for frontline staff.
- Extensive experience of devising, writing and implementing effective internal communications and engagement strategies – including both traditional and digital communications – and evaluating outcomes
- Devising and delivering strategic content and engagement plans which inform, engage and connect with staff in a busy operational environment.
- Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and engagement and designing channels that target audiences precisely
- Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.
- Experience of guiding the internal response to major incidents and crisis communications.
- Experience in embedding values within an organisation and culture change communications.
- Experience in use of data to shape approach and guide comms strategies.
- Proven track record for leading and developing high performing teams
- In-depth experience of devising and delivering impactful, integrated staff campaigns across multiple channels
- Experience of devising and implementing internal communications guidance and policies within a complex organisation.
- Experience of a wide range of internal communications platforms and tactics, including videos, briefings, Teams, and in-person visits / listening sessions.
- Experience of advising leadership on internal communications best practice.
- Experience of devising business partner models of service delivery.
- Experience of building strong networks across an organisation.
- Experience of training and upskilling teams on internal communications best practice.
- Experience of writing excellent copy for a wide range of outlets and for a wide range of target audiences (op-eds; features, news, briefing).
- Experience of managing/supervising staff effectively, and growing skills and experience.
- Experience of successfully managing large scale stakeholder events, launches and campaigns
- Experience of planning and delivering engagement events and exercises, and targeting different staff audiences effectively.
- Proven experience in using innovative approaches for communications and engagement to reach diverse staff groups.