Communications and Public Relations Manager

Title:

Communications and Public Relations Manager

Responsible to:

Senior Management Team

Accountable to:

Chief Executive

Working Hours:

Full time (although we may be able to consider 4 days a week)

Overall Objective

Lead the development and implementation of the Clinic’s communications strategy. Implement and deliver effective communications, including marketing and digital engagement activities. Promote and manage the Ulster Independent Clinic’s brand. Be the lead within the organisation for all printed and digital communications. Arrange and deliver engagement events.

Main Duties and Responsibilities – Communications

1. Lead, develop and implement an effective communications strategy to promote the vision and values of the Clinic, setting it apart from other private healthcare providers.
2. Lead and implement the Clinic’s annual communications plan. Manage the financial aspects of the plan, including budgeting and monitoring expenditure, in collaboration with the Director of Finance.
3. Lead and develop the implementation of internal service communications working in collaboration with departmental managers to promote various projects and activities.
4. Be our principal Brand Ambassador working to ensure all managers and staff have clear messaging and guidance on how they can support our brand. This will involve assigning actions to key team members, monitoring and ensuring tasks are completed.
5. Oversee and manage the Clinic’s online and social media presence including website and other social media channels. Ensure both are continually optimised and responsive to opportunities. Make recommendations for enhancement and growth to deliver the Clinic’s strategy.
6. Draft website copy and develop content for digital use and printed materials which communicate our key messages aligned with our brand and where necessary, support specific campaigns.
7. Lead on the creation, review and updating of other digital and printed documentation, including but not limited to patient guides, information leaflets etc. Working with the governance team and relevant department managers ensure all information complies with legal requirements and is easily read.
8. With input from the governance lead, manage the production and printing of all documentation, including but not limited to patient guides, information leaflets etc. ensuring quality and value for money.
9. Work collaboratively with departmental managers across the Clinic to identify communications moments (e.g. stories, new services / equipment). Feedback and sign‑off on communication materials developed by departmental managers / staff to ensure consistent messaging.
10. Produce regular reports, sharing insight and recommendations to achieve organisational and service goals through our communications.
11. Identify new referrers/service users, growth areas, and recommend new ways of reaching existing referrers/users of service.
12. Be responsible for providing concise, clear and considered analytical information to the Development Committee to facilitate informed decision making regarding communication plans. Attend meetings as required.
13. Working closely with the Chief Executive, ensure that all internal and external communication is appropriately managed.

Main Duties and Responsibilities – Public Relations

1. Act as the organisational lead for Public Relations and keep up to date with patient and user of service experience. This will include reviewing and assisting the team to ensure that appropriate action is taken regarding feedback, on‑line comments and complaints.
2. Support the development of media relationships. Curate press and media lists and respond to media queries.
3. Lead on creating and delivering media stories to support the Clinic’s aims and objectives. Drafting statements and press releases and ideas for articles and features, developing copy as needed and monitoring coverage.
4. Deliver media training to Clinic spokespeople and provide both written and verbal briefings ahead of interviews to ensure message consistency.
5. Working closely with the Chief Executive, co‑ordinate and manage all stakeholder engagement events, whether in‑person, virtual or hybrid, including but not limited to G.P. information/training sessions, Consultant/Staff evenings and new service/ build launch events. Ensure that all events are appropriately costed and managed.
6. Successfully risk‑manage all public relation projects, in collaboration with the Senior Management Team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities – Staff*

1. Lead and deliver a portfolio of high‑quality, person‑centred services.
2. Facilitate and encourage continued professional development.
3. Ensure there are appropriate arrangements in place to enable the efficient day‑to‑day operational management of the service and efficient use of all resources.
4. Be prepared to work flexibly on occasions outside of normal working hours to facilitate events or media requests, subject to the needs of the service.
5. Undertake staff management duties if required: absence management, performance management and interviewing.

Other Duties

1. Keep up to date with developments within healthcare as a whole, both locally and nationally.
2. Participate with the requirements for RQIA, CHKS and ISO standards and use as appropriate in communications.
3. Promote a culture of learning and development within the organisation, leading by example.
4. Have an in‑depth awareness of the Clinic’s complaint policy and ensure that complaints from patients/relatives or other service users are responded to in a timely fashion and in line with Clinic protocols.
5. Develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships.

General Duties

1. Perform any other reasonable duties deemed appropriate to the grade.
2. Read, understand and adhere to all Ulster Independent Clinic policies and procedures.
3. Support environmental strategies.
4. Communicate effectively with all users of the service, being courteous and respectful and ensuring confidentiality, at all times.
5. Actively participate and contribute to the continuous improvement of the service.
6. Attend all mandatory in‑service training and lectures.
7. Comply with the Ulster Independent Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.
8. Carry out all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Health & Safety policies and statutory regulations.
9. Participate in annual performance review and maintain own personal development file.
10. Responsible for own professional development and maintenance of knowledge and skills according to professional guidelines and be responsible for identifying training needs and assisting in an effective training programme of all staff.
11. Adhere to and abide by professional code at all times.

Personnel Specification

Experience

Essential:

• At least two years’ relevant experience in a Communications / PR leadership role, with a personal track record of success in developing a robust strategy.
• Proven record of creating successful marketing campaigns within the past five years.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of using digital and social media platforms effectively to maximise opportunities in a business context.
• Previous experience of using data analytics to develop and implement communications and PR strategies.

Desirable:

• Up to date knowledge of current trends and technological developments within healthcare.
• Previous experience in growing a brand.

Education / Qualifications / Training

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in PR and Communications.

Competencies and Skills

Essential:

• Ability to use own initiative when working alone or as part of a team to produce tangible results.
• A high level of attention to detail and ability to strong writing skills.
• Ability to communicate messages clearly and effectively with diplomacy and skill.
• Ability to provide direction, make effective decisions and provide a responsive Communications / PR service.
• Membership of a recognised PR and/or marketing or communications professional body.
• The postholder will be required to be flexible in their working pattern on occasions to meet service need.
• The appointment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of reference checks.

*Access NI clearance and a medical assessment (required prior to appointment).

Recruitment Process Timeline

Closing Date: Monday 3rd November 2025 at 3pm

Shortlisting: W/C 3rd November 2025

1st Stage Interview: W/C 10th November 2025

Final Stage: W/C 17th November 2025

Applications are submitted via our website by clicking Apply below.

Please complete and submit the online application form.

Following submission, applications will be reviewed and shortlisted against the criteria outlined in this document.

There will be a structured interview with shortlisted candidates managed by our external HR consultants, Heads‑Together Consulting Ltd. This will be followed by a final interview with a small number of final shortlisted candidates as per the timetable outlined.