Communications Specialist

Due to a secondment in the team, we are looking for a Communications Specialist until 1 April 2025. The successful applicant will work as part of a dedicated communications team with who are passionate about the NHS and the work our colleagues across the Trust do every day to care for patients.

The role is responsible for leading day to day contact with the media and supporting teams across the organisation by providing communications expertise and advice at all levels, developing and leading communication campaigns and projects both internally and externally.

They will work with the Head of Communications to protect and enhance the Trust's reputation both locally and further afield, promoting service developments and communicating change. They will identify good news stories to be used in a variety of channels, delivering high quality, engaging content and contributing to the overall work of the Communications team.

Due to the nature of the role, candidates must be strong communicators with previous experience of media relations, producing and editing newsletters, photography and video., The Communications Specialist supports the Head of Communications in delivering a responsive and proactive communications function across East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.

The role is responsible for leading day-to-day contact with the media while supporting teams across the organisation by providing communications expertise and advice at all levels, developing and leading communication campaigns and projects both internally and externally.

The post-holder will be able to establish, develop and maintain positive working relationships quickly at all levels of the organisation and with the Trust's various stakeholders while managing a busy workload and responding to conflicting priorities as required. The ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision is essential.

They will work with the Head of Communications, Deputy Director of Communications and Executive Director of Communications to protect and enhance the Trust's reputation both locally and further afield, promoting service developments and communicating change. They will identify good news stories to be used in a variety of channels, delivering high quality, engaging content and contributing to the overall work of the Communications team.,

• To lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of communications and engagement activity using a variety of channels both internally and externally to the Trust.


• Commission, write, edit, proof read and co-ordinate compelling articles for use in internal and external publications, social media and web platforms.


• Commission, write, edit, proof read and co-ordinate complex internal and external publications and documentation, overseeing print and distribution both internally and externally to the Trust


• Be responsible for the production of content and on-going maintenance of intranet and web pages using specialist software.


• Work with key stakeholders across the Trust to support the delivery of their annual plans and key projects. Providing advice on how and when to best run campaigns.


• Use Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Illustrator) and Microsoft packages to produce publications, graphics, reports and databases.


· Confidently present to a wide variety of audiences of various sizes, from one to a large group.

• Provide communications advice and support to staff which may involve complicated, highly sensitive information, which requires analysis and interpretation.


• Provide support, advice and guidance to divisions/teams on corporate projects and campaigns. Project managing the communications and engagement elements of these.


• Measure, review and advise on existing internal and external communications channels and processes and develop recommendations for improvements.


· Provide communications and public relations advice to support the implementation of large-scale transformation programmes, both within ELHT and the wider healthcare system. This will involve the interpretation of complicated, high-level information.

· Establish and maintain information systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of communication and PR activity.

· Manage external visits and filming, ensuring Trust and national protocols are followed in relation to safeguarding and reputation management.

· Co-ordinate and support Trust wide national award applications, increasing the profile of ELHT and the quality of services provided.

Media Management and Public Relations

• Work with the Head of Communications to manage the Trust's media relations service, responding in a timely and accurate manner to journalists, briefing journalists on sensitive and contentious issues and providing assistance to other staff in responding to media requests.


· Pre-empt negative news stories and manage misinformation from external sources, taking appropriate action to rectify and diffuse confrontational issues with members of the press and public.

· Use influence, persuasion and negotiations skills when approached by journalists on high profile issues. Using professional integrity to ensure the reputation of the organisation is protected.

· Make daily decisions under pressure on media handling.

· Advise senior managers and Executive Directors on the course of action to take with the media and how to approach media interviews.

• Lead on the monitoring and escalation of any potential PR issues arising on social media which might impact the reputation of the Trust.


· Provide accurate monthly media monitoring and reporting.

· To maintain the public confidence of stakeholders, by responding in a timely, accurate and effective manner to negative news or events.

· Maintain the good reputation of the organisation by identifying, researching and writing regular good news stories for the local, regional, 'trade/professional' and national media

· Enhance the profile of ELHT for patients, and the public through clear and measurable communications strategies and campaigns.

· Commission, write, edit, proof-read, co-ordinate and manage complex external publications and channels including press releases and statements, e-communications, external newsletters and other corporate materials.

· To assist the Head of Communications or act as lead on corporate events such as official openings, stakeholder and promotional events including VIP visits.

• Meet with members of the public, patients and their relatives in a knowledgeable and sensitive manner to ensure a feeling of confidence in them sharing their personal stories about the Trust. Then converting their stories into usable content for the purpose of marketing and PR services.


· Provide support to the Communications Team in maintaining and update the Trust's social media platforms.

Communications Department Support

The post holder is expected to support colleagues within the department offering support and cover of their roles during both absences and when departmental workload dictates. The post holder is expected to:

· Provide professional guidance, advice and support to the junior members of the team.

· Supervise junior members of the team under instruction by or in the absence of the Head of Communications.

· Undertake other duties, which are consistent with the post, as directed by the Head of Communications.

· Act as an ambassador for the Trust with media, patients, public, external organisations and other key stakeholders

· Comply with communications and engagement standards of behaviour and working practices.

· Be part of the Trust's response to a major incident and have appropriate major incident support training

· Be part of the Trust's response to business continuity and have appropriate business continuity support training

· Provide support for crisis communications management

· Provide training and support to members of staff regarding communications standards and policies

· Undertake routine mailings and distribution activities

· Deal with both internal and external general enquiries and requests for information some of which may be highly sensitive and/or complex

· Order printing as appropriate

Keep their own filing and administrative requirements up to date


• Developing, implementing and evaluating communications activity using a variety of internal and external channels


• Writing articles for use in internal and external publications, social media and web platforms


• Photography and video experience


• Working with key stakeholders across the Trust/partner on communications campaigns and activity


• Experience of providing communications and public relations advice to colleagues


• Monitoring and evaluating communication and PR activity


• Experience of media relations


• Identifying, researching and writing regular good news stories for the local, regional, 'trade/professional' and national media


• Meeting members of the public, patients and their relatives in a knowledgeable and sensitive manner and converting their stories into usable content for the purpose of marketing and PR services


Desirable criteria


• Experience of acting as communications lead on corporate events such as official openings, stakeholder and promotional events including VIP visits


• Experience of providing crisis communications support
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work., The Trust's Communications Team forms part of a wider blended team with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This provides a unique and progressive take with multiple joint posts. Teams work closely together across both Trusts supporting around 15,000 colleagues and a wider population of almost 900,000 people.


Our joint approach enables us to remove duplication, create greater capacity and maximise on our skill sets to concentrate on what really makes a difference. We are friendly, supportive and ambitious, setting high standards and encouraging each other to try new things, learn and grow every day. What this creates is an environment to be big, bold and brave, with the potential to be involved in new and exciting opportunities., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit., The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.


• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.


• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.


• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.


Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £42.90 and for a Standard Disclosure £22.90 which includes a small handling fee.