At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful communications for health research and engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Company: Join Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in health and care research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a difference in health research while developing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in communications or related field; experience in media or marketing preferred.
The predicted salary is between 58133 - 65261 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the Communications team in the South London Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN), hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. The Communications Manager will lead regional and national communications as part of the Research Delivery Network (RDN) Communications Team, dispersed across the 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDN) and the RDN Coordinating Centre. As a senior member of the RDN Communications Team, you will provide a high quality, professional and proactive communications service to the RDN regionally and nationally, and will report to the RRDN Head of Strategy, Engagement and Inclusion.
Main duties of the job
This role will take responsibility for RDN communication using a range of different channels that will promote the reputation of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) as a high-quality health and care research organisation. They will lead the delivery of a corporate communication strategy and associated communication activities, engagement events and marketing initiatives to enable the RDN to deliver on its strategic objectives and showcase the RDN's impact. In addition, they will have line management responsibility for the Communications Officer.
Job responsibilities
- Understand the communications needs of all RRDN services and support the optimisation of those services through effective and impactful communications.
- Lead on the production of corporate communications aligned to the RDN strategic objectives.
- Undertake regional and cross regional events management.
- Triangulate/scope impact statements and stories for potential media and other coverage in conjunction with regional stakeholders.
- Lead and deliver national/regional campaigns and communications channels.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
- Essential: Degree level (or equivalent experience) with extensive professional experience working in communications, media, web publishing or marketing, preferably in the health sector.
- Desirable: Background in research and development, science or healthcare.
Knowledge & Experience
- Essential: High level of experience in a relevant speciality i.e. public relations, communications, marketing and/or journalism to post graduate level or demonstrable experience. This must include social / web-based media.
- Demonstrable experience of working in a large, complex organisation.
- High level of knowledge around the full range of public and health professional communication channels and their effective deployment, including around the latest technologies for digital engagement and techniques around behavioural change.
- Experience of inter-agency working involving multiple and diverse partners.
- Experience of line management.
- Experience of managing a customer-focused service.
- Experience of working at a similar level in the NHS or other healthcare environment.
- Good understanding of the health and care research environment.
- Desirable: Experience of providing communications support to a local authority.
Skills & Abilities
- Essential: Ability to exercise initiative.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Staff training skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent leadership skills.
- Ability to operate at all levels throughout an organisation.
- Ability to write concise and clear reports and to write Standard Operating Procedures.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines under pressure.
- Experience of managing a wide range of complex duties.
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to a high standard.
- Ability to plan, manage and deliver projects and activities, involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines.
- Media handling skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences at all levels within the organisation and externally.
- Excellent IT literacy including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or equivalent Google applications and relevant design packages e.g. Adobe InDesign, CANVA.
- The ability to manage challenging and stressful situations.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work autonomously and to exercise initiative, with creativity, drive and flexibility.
Values & Personal Qualities
- Essential: Compassionate.
- Understanding of change and adaptable.
- Politically aware.
Communications Manager in London employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
