Band 5 Communications officer

Job summary

As a communications officer, you will play an important role in helping us connect, engage and inspire more than 18,000 colleagues across the Royal Free London.

Working closely with the senior internal communications manager and internal communications manager, you will help deliver a responsive, inclusive and effective internal communications and engagement service. You will support colleagues to stay informed, involved and connected to the organisation's priorities, principles and achievements.

You will help ensure colleagues across our health units, hospitals and satellite sites can access clear, timely and relevant information. You will consider the different needs, working environments and levels of digital access among our diverse internal audiences.

You will coordinate and deliver internal communications campaigns, projects, publications and day-to-day content. This will involve managing competing priorities, responding to changing requirements and producing accurate, high-quality work, often to tight deadlines. You will receive guidance and support from experienced communications colleagues while being trusted to manage agreed pieces of work.

Main duties of the job

You will build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.

You will help them clarify what they want to achieve, understand their audiences and choose suitable messages, channels, formats and timings. You will handle sensitive or complex information with care and seek advice or escalate issues when appropriate.

You will apply communications best practice and develop your knowledge of internal communications and engagement. Using audience insight, channel analytics, colleague feedback and other available information, you will help plan activity, assess its effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

You will contribute ideas, identify potential stories and create content that celebrates colleagues' achievements, supports organisational priorities and strengthens connections across the Royal Free London. You will bring creativity, curiosity and attention to detail, as well as a willingness to learn and develop.

You will also support the external media team when required. This may include gathering information, identifying potential stories, supporting filming, coordinating responses and liaising with colleagues. You will help ensure information is accurate, timely and appropriately approved, promptly escalating sensitive, complex or potentially reputational issues to senior communications colleagues.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top

For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description document which will provide a more detailed description of role and main responsibilities.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Evidence of continuous professional development in communications/PR

Experience

Essential

• Experience creating, editing and publishing clear, engaging content for a range of audiences and communication channels.
• Experience supporting the delivery of communications projects, campaigns, events or other coordinated activities within agreed timescales.
• Experience building effective working relationships with stakeholders and adapting communications approaches to meet their needs.

Desirable

• Experience working in a communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or stakeholder engagement environment.
• Experience working within the NHS, wider public sector, or another large and complex organisation.
• Experience supporting media activity such as filming or interview requests.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible content.
• Strong organisational and workload management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build positive stakeholder relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels.

Desirable

• Ability to use digital communications tools such as content management systems, email marketing platforms and social media management software.
• Skills in multimedia content creation, including photography, video editing, graphic design or basic design software.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of communications principles and best practice, including audience-focused content creation and channel selection.
• Knowledge of accessibility, inclusion and equality considerations in communications.
• Knowledge of how audience insight, feedback and performance information can be used to improve communications activity.

Desirable

• Knowledge of digital communications, content design principles and communications evaluation methods.