Senior Communications Officer

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

We're looking for two senior communications officers to join our corporate communications team. Both roles require someone who is creative, has a can-do attitude and is passionate about what good communications can bring to a busy NHS Trust.

Please note, we have 1 permanent role and 1 temporary role to cover a period of maternity leave until the end of April 2026, but there may be an opportunity to extend the contract.

Interviews for both roles will be held on 23rd or 24th April 2025.

Main duties of the job

The roles will provide support around all aspects of communications - both internal and external - including: media relations, digital communications - including social media, updating the website, intranet and email as well as working with the design and print team to produce leaflets, posters, brochures and briefings.

We are looking for individuals who have experience of working in a busy communications team, with an eye for a good story and strong writing skills, who understand how content works across multiple channels and for different audiences. The right candidates would also ideally have experience of working with the media or in a press office and developing social and/or internal communications channels.

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is continuing on its improvement journey to become a University trust and we are making great progress in transforming many of the services we offer. You would be joining a friendly team, committed to developing our own skills and processes.

If you are enthusiastic, excellent at building relationships with people and you like the sound of working in a fast-paced environment, handling change, juggling priorities and where no two days are ever the same, then we'd love to hear from you.

About us

We are an acute trust caring for over half a million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients' homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It's important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Job responsibilities

The Senior Communications Officers will play a lead role in developing and delivering communications activity as part of the Trust's communications team and in line with the Trust's strategy.

The post holders will lead the development and delivery of a range of impactful communications and engagement projects for both internal and external audiences, seeking all opportunities to promote and celebrate the work of the Trust. This will encompass the production of high quality content for the full communications mix of channels, including website, social media, video, etc., as well as paper-based communications, and including reputation management, media relations and events.

The roles require an ability to cultivate excellent working relationships across a Trust of 10,000+ staff, including the senior management team and a complex network of stakeholders. The roles will also require the commissioning of work from the Trust's internal design and print team.

The post holders will have an ability to write and present complex and sensitive information to multiple audiences including all levels of staff, public, patients, stakeholders and partners and promote the Trust as an inclusive, innovative and diverse place to work where staff feel appreciated, rewarded and recognised for their contribution.

Person Specification

The role

• Please indicate which role you are applying for: Permanent, Temporary or either.

Experience

• Significant previous experience working in a communications, public relations or marketing role.
• Experience of making the best use of technologies that support communications.
• Experience of working with the news media.
• Good understanding of key issues facing the NHS.
• Experience of building effective networks including across organisational boundaries.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and pressures for self and others in a challenging environment.
• Experience of developing and delivering comprehensive approaches to staff communication across a complex organisation.
• Previous experience of working in the news media or in a busy press office environment.
• Experience of working for a large complex public sector organisation (either in house or as contracted support).

Qualifications

• Educated to degree-level or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Professional or postgraduate qualification in public relations, marketing or journalism.

Knowledge and skills

• Understanding of how the news media works.
• Ability to write excellent news copy.
• Ability to interpret sensitive and complex information and translate into accessible communications for a range of audiences.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and proofreading skills.
• High level of skill in using web-based communications, including content management systems, social media, intranets, blogs and news/emerging technologies.
• Creative and innovative developing novel solutions to problems and issues.
• High level of personal motivation and resilience.
• Commitment to own personal development.
• Knowledge of specific programmes such as SharePoint.

Trust HQ and Education Centre, Pinderfields Hospital