Communications Officer

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has opened in our Communications Team for a Band 5 communications officer. We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive creative individual who will produce high quality written and visual content to convey a variety of messages to many audiences, both internal and external to the organisation, in a clear and accessible way.

Working with our team, you will be supporting multiple projects and producing excellent work to tight deadlines, working with departments across Newcastle Hospitals, as well as managing external media enquiries and digital content, including our website, intranet and social media channels.

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

12 months fixed term contract

Main duties of the job

• Protecting and promoting the reputation of the Trust, and helping to maintain public confidence in the organisation.
• Planning and implementing communication and marketing projects in line with the Trust's corporate communication strategy and strategic objectives.
• Writing, editing and proof reading a range of material for internal and external publications.
• Supporting the promotion of the Trust and its services through proactive engagement of the relevant media channels, including writing media releases and briefing journalists.
• Contributing to corporate communication, engagement and marketing initiatives to enable the Trust to deliver on its strategic objectives, supported by appropriate photography and videography.
• Contributing to tactical communication plans to support programmes and services, working closely with internal audiences as well as external partners.
• Updating and creating content for the Trust's website, intranet and social media channels.
• Preparation of information leaflets/posters and other publications.
• Managing and maintaining databases e.g. media contacts, Primary Care contacts, venue details, Vuelio media database, and the like.

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Plan and implement communication projects to support the Trust's strategic objectives.
• Writing and editing publication of content for media articles including online outputs and social media.
• Daily monitoring and management of the Trust website and intranet along with social media sites.
• Ensuring corporate material on all Trust related websites is up to date.
• Monitoring press coverage involving the Trust.
• Responding to internal and external enquiries and requests as required.
• Contribute to the Trust's digital strategy and online resources and projects.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of social media strategies and platforms as appropriate.
• Taking photographs to enhance articles as necessary.
• Compiling a monthly report of social media activity, including Google Analytics.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with other departments and key external colleagues e.g. NHS Improvement, neighbouring Trusts.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism and/or marketing communications techniques, approaches, and procedures: acquired through training to relevant degree level or equivalent.

Experience

• Previous experience in media/communications at a corporate level.
• Previous experience of maintenance of website publishing and content along with social media activities.
• Previous experience of media management.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent IT skills and effective use of MS Office and other software packages.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Able to prioritise own workload appropriately and organise duties to be carried out.
• Able to work without direct supervision.
• Understanding of the NHS environment.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.