Head of Communications and Engagement

apartmentNHS Jobs placeMilton Keynes calendar_month 
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. Theyll 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 Trusts 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.

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