Communications Officer

Our communications team is expanding, and we have a rare opportunity for a skilled, personable and digitally-savvy communications professional to join our Trust's communications team.

This is an opportunity to join a forward thinking and energetic team, promoting a positive culture to deliver quality care to our patients.

This is a busy department, supporting an organisation that is often in the spotlight. The role will suit someone who has great writing skills and a naturally inquisitive mind, who can seek out a story and has strong organisational skills.

As a key member of the communications team, you will help us deliver our internal and external communications strategy. The first point of contact for journalists with enquiries about the Trust, you will develop a proactive and creative approach to working with the media. You will contribute story ideas to our internal and external communication channels, and assist in advising staff about the communications implications of their projects.

A permanent role, you will have a real opportunity to grow, develop, and support an NHS Trust in a supportive and creative team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious person who wants to make a real difference. We're looking for a true all-rounder who is confident and has demonstrable experience.

If you think you are a good fit for this exciting role, we’d love to hear from you!

The post holder will play a key role in providing an internal and external communication service for the Trust.

You will:

• develop and maintain our digital media communication channels
• support with content and updates to website and intranet
• support the production of high quality internal and external information in different formats
• undertake other duties to support the Communications Manager and the wider agenda of the communications team.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust currently employs more than 6,000 staff who deliver compassionate care to more than 460,000 people across Calderdale and Kirklees from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, as well as in community sites, health centres and in patients’ homes.

The Trust strives to deliver outstanding compassionate care to the communities we serve, we are continuing to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation.

1. Support the Communications Manager to develop and implement a programme of communications for the Trust’s sites and community services.

2. Develop, research, write and produce relevant communications and materials for the Trust's website and intranet platforms.

3. Process media enquiries in line with the Trust's media policy.

4. Manage the Trust's social media accounts and produce quality, engaging content

5. Plan and implement time-limited communications projects.

6. Contribute to the development of successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

7. Work with staff across the organisation to provide effective communications advice and support.

8. Research, write, edit, proofread and coordinate core internal and external communications mechanisms, including proactive press releases.

9. Take photographs and videos of Trust events and other activities as required for internal or external use.

10. Develop and maintain the Trust’s electronic catalogue of photographs for use in publications.

11. Contribute to and support Trust events, such as the annual staff awards.

12. Liaise with external suppliers, particularly designers, videographers and printers, to ensure the timely production of high quality publications.

13. Undertake audits or surveys and interpret the results to identify steps to improve the quality of internal and external communications, recommending and implementing changes in liaison with the Communications Manager.

14. Develop a creative and proactive approach to media relations, help improve the reputation of the Trust by identifying and drafting ‘good news’ stories; source story ideas through effective relationships with the Trust’s clinical and non-clinical teams.

15. Help supervise reporters/photographers/camera crews when they visit the hospital, ensuring they are safe and that patient confidentiality is maintained and appropriate consent sought at all times.

16. Help develop Trust spokespeople and ensure that they are appropriately briefed and trained in advance of undertaking media interviews.