Head of Communications

The search is on for us to find our next Head of Communications to lead a successful and high-profile communications team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Our vision is to be "national and international leader in healthcare, rooted in our communities" and that's where you step in, helping make this a reality. Following the promotion of our last Head of Comms within the NHS, we are seeking a highly motivated, creative and inspirational leader to take on this pivotal role in taking forward our communications service. We are looking for someone naturally collaborative who can engage, strengthen and enable our communications team to deliver high quality communications.

You will already have a proven track record of providing compassionate leadership and delivering professional advice and expertise for large complex organisations. We are a values-led organisation and are looking for someone who can build relationships at pace, internally and externally, whilst being a champion for the communications service and team. We are looking for a dynamic and effective leader with capacity as well as capability to take this role on.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• The role leads the communications team, providing professional expertise at a senior leadership level with oversight of all activities:
• Strategic planning, coordination and reporting on performance for delivery
• Collaborative team leadership, supporting professional development and improved service
• Corporate communications
• Managing reputation through media relations, stakeholder relations and supporting partnership working.
• Internal communications for 2 Hospitals and community services for 12,000 staff and >600 volunteers, working closely with all clinical and corporate services.
• Communicating to patients through awareness raising campaigns, public website, social media and using marketing to support the quality of their care experience.
• Ensuring operational activity is supported with timely communications such as response to incidents, seasonal pressures and emerging health issues (e.g. flu, pandemic), with well researched communications strategies and plans.
• Work closely with Clinical Groups, corporate services (e.g. ICT, HR, finance) and our engagement teams (patient experience, stakeholder relations and staff engagement) to bring about an integrated approach.
• Ensuring that the Trust's communications are coordinated, effective and professional for the wide range of audiences we serve including patients, carers, staff, national and local media, MPs, volunteers and partner organisations.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK and Major Trauma Centre. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation. By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or substantial equivalent experience
• Training as a journalist, marketing or a communication professional.

Experience

• Evidence of success in the areas of delivering effective media and stakeholder relations, corporate branding, marketing and internal communications, which are recognised for their high standards.
• Substantial relevant professional experience particularly in media relations, issues management.
• Experience at developing and building teams.
• Evidence of collaborative leadership and matrix working of teams.
• Good understanding of different types of media including social media
• Significant I.T. Experience, using windows packages to support daily activities such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and desk top publishing and design packages such as Illustrator and/or Indesign.
• Substantial experience of working a highly complex public sector environment or large complex organisation in senior communications management role

Knowledge

• Strong writer with ability to write for different audiences
• Understanding of healthcare communications and public sector environment
• Knowledge of social media and understanding of effective channel management
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of current communications management issues and practice and their application at strategic and operational levels.
• Experience of leading successfully in a highly complex public sector organisation or large complex organisation in a senior communications management role.
• Understanding of the law and accountability of NHS Trusts.

Skills

• Highly developed oral and presentation skills, with the ability to develop, communicate and gain ownership for a clear vision and direction.
• Strong writer with ability to write for different audiences.
• Good influencing skills, ability to communicate with impact and be able to convince through personal credibility rather than managerial authority.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• A highly effective communicator who is creative, positive and persuasive.
• A strong lateral thinker with the confidence and resilience required to operate in a complex and high profile organisation.
• A commitment to public sector values.
• An inspiring leader who leads by example and empowers others.
• Team player
• Political awareness
• Analytical mind
• Outgoing personality - able to face unknown settings with confidence
• Have a flexible and dedicated approach to work.
• Willingness to travel as appropriate.
• Highly motivated and not easily discouraged.
• Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery.
• Personal and professional demeanour and credibility that generates trust and confidence in others.
• The highest degree of honesty, probity and integrity

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values.
• Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience.