Head of Strategic Communications | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 16 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £58,972 - £68,525 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 May 2024 |
| Location: | Manchester, M13 9WL |
| Company: | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 6214881/349-HIM-6214881 |
Summary
The Health Innovation Network is looking for a Head of Strategic Communications to oversee the delivery of the Network’s our public affairs and media activity on a six-month fixed term basis.
The role is full time 5 days per week; however, we are able to negotiate for the right candidate. Successful candidates should be available from May 2024.
We work almost fully remotely as a team, but some travel within in England will be expected for meetings and events on an ad hoc basis.
Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 29 April 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: We may close the vacancy as soon as sufficient applications have been received.
The Head of Strategic Communications has lead responsibility for the delivery of Health Innovation Network’s public affairs and thought leadership strategy, operating at a senior level. They will work with partners across the whole innovation ecosystem nationally to promote the difference innovation makes to people’s lives and position the Health Innovation Network as the authoritative voice of health innovation and life sciences.
As the lead advisor on public affairs activities, with full responsibility for developing and delivering key strategies to maximise PR and media opportunities, driving impactful content and engagement activities, deliver high-profile national campaigns and evaluate the impact of our activity in achieving and the Network’s business objectives to strengthen our national voice and influence policy.
Overseeing the day-to-day management and performance of the communications team, providing guidance, supervision and personal development support.
The AHSN Network, operates as the national innovation arm of the NHS, and is leading the spread and adoption of new technologies, pathways and medicines in health and care. The AHSN Network is the collective voice of the 15 academic health science networks (AHSNs) across England and we work collaboratively to support change nationally across the NHS.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Support the Director of Communications and Engagement and other members of the Health Innovation Network leadership team with a range of external engagement and political and public affairs initiatives that increase awareness of and connectivity to the organisation among key stakeholders, including the public, central and local government, and major influencers in innovation ecosystem.
Advise and support the Network leadership team to ensure that communications considerations are integral to policymaking and decision-taking in order to protect the brand and ensure that Network messages are consistent, collaborative and coherent.
Lead, develop, implement and monitor the impact of a media relations strategy, as part of the wider public affairs strategy, that generates positive coverage of the Network, influencing international, national, social, regional and specialist media to enhance the profile and reputation of the organisation.
Working with the Director of Communications and Engagement to design and deliver an effective political engagement strategy to ensure that all political parties regard the Health Innovation Network’s reputation as the authority on health innovation, and the Network is well-prepared for the upcoming general and local elections.
Provide the wider Health Innovation Network senior leadership team and executive with expert advice and support, developing effective strategies and plans to support engagement with identified key stakeholders.
Produce regular monitoring reports for the Network executive team to evaluate communications and media relations strategies, utilising and aligning with our CRM. Maintain and build the Health Innovation Network’s reputation, including identifying and addressing any weak areas of stakeholder perceptions.
Oversee operational delivery of the communication teams’ functions, prioritising demands to support the Network strategic priorities and support the coordination of effective thought leadership communications activity alongside local, regional and national stakeholders.
Coordinate visits from senior officials and produce content for MP and Ministerial briefings as required.
Project manage, write copy and oversee the production of key publications, in particular senior stakeholder briefings.
Work closely with the Events and Engagement Manager to ensure the Network’s events programme seeks to build our authority and influence policy as well as raise brand awareness, including support to secure high-profile speakers, attendees and develop engaging content.
Provide expertise on guidance on how to deliver effective presentations, develop key messages and engage audiences, in keeping with the Health Innovation Network’s developing value proposition.
PR and MEDIA MANAGEMENT
Play a leading role in developing the Health Innovation Network’s proactive PR and media relations strategy, developing original content, thought leadership and driving media coverage for the range of innovation projects and programmes, as part of the wider public affairs strategy.
Provide experienced crisis communications handling advice on often very complex and sensitive issues and deputise for the Director of Communications and Engagement where appropriate, including leading the communications response in the event of a major incident.
Play a leading role in enhancing the Health Innovation Network’s reactive media relations management, including providing guidance and training to the senior leadership team and communications colleagues.
Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists in the local, regional, national and specialist press.
Work with communications colleagues across the NHS, councils, Universities and industry partners to identify and secure media opportunities.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT/EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Support the Director of Communications and Engagement to develop content and proactive opportunities to increase contact with identified stakeholder groups/ opinion formers, in particular political figures. Presenting to both internal and external stakeholders.
Support the Director of Communications and Engagement, to provide engaging reports and content to local and national commissioners.
Identify opportunities for senior leaders from across the Health Innovation Network to contribute to debates, forums, meetings, events within the local community, commissioners, providers, regulators and political stakeholders (locally, regionally and nationally, where appropriate).
Work closely with the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement team to identify opportunities for collaboration and feature real life patient stories in our communications activity to increase authenticity. Understanding the sensitivity of personal information given and how to convey that information.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Develop strong relationships with staff at all levels of the organisation; this will require strong communication and influencing skills in order to convey very complex information to a challenging and diverse audience.
DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Play a leading role in developing the Health Innovation Network digital and social media plan to increase followers, improve engagement, produce original content and enhance the programme portfolio.
Oversee the communications team to develop effective website and social media content to increase engagement and impact of the Health Innovation Network digital communications activity.
Work with the Communications team to ensure all internal and external digital channels are regularly monitored, news sections are maintained, and training is provided to colleagues where relevant.
Ensure comments and opinions posted on social media are picked up and responded to, in liaison with the relevant teams involved.
Contribute to the coordinated use of social media channels, such as Twitter and Facebook and LinkedIn, to engage with key stakeholders, raise the Health Innovation Network profile and monitor/target key opinion formers and groups where appropriate.
Develop the Health Innovation Network social media protocol and increase awareness of it amongst staff, providing expert advice, guidance and training.
Project managing, writing copy and overseeing the production of key Trust publications, including the Annual Report.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching and personal development planning to the whole communications team, with specific line management for senior managers.
Provide day-to-day operational management and support to all members of the Communications team to ensure priorities are met and delivered to a consistent professional standard, and aligned with key messaging.
Financial management of the communications budget, ensuring that all relevant functions, projects and resources are delivered to time, budget and scope, in agreement with the Director of Communications and Engagement. Producing reports and analysis of resources, costs etc., attending budget meetings with the Director of Communications and Engagement to review budget with the Network Coordination Director giving final analysis of costs, savings ROI.
Support the communications team to always seek the best price and ROI for our activities, to support delivering the greatest value for tax payers.
Take responsibility for own continuous personal and professional development, taking an active part in learning opportunities wherever possible.
Develop good working relationships within the Health Innovation Network, and across local NHS and partner organisations, including representing the Health Innovation Network at communications network meetings/events.
Deputise for the Director of Communications and Engagement as required at internal and external meetings.
This advert closes on Tuesday 23 Apr 2024
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.