About this role
Job summary
We're a friendly bunch at West London, and the Communications Team works hard to deliver the Trust's strategic objectives.
I'm looking for a communications expert who has skills across a broad range of communications disciplines, from media to internal comms, digital to social media. In short, a generalist. You might not know everything in the communications world, but you'll be willing to learn, and you'll be someone who can muck in with key projects, whether that be leading them, or supporting others.
In this role, you will lead on communications advice and support for services within the organisation, acting as point of contact for them and advising on best ways to communicate for a desired outcome. You'll also contribute to our communications channels and content, helping the Trust to be as clear and engaging as possible among our internal and external audiences.
You'll also work closely with the Senior Communications Manager and the other Senior Communications Officers to make sure that all communications activity that you're leading on is aligned to the Trust's strategic objectives and priorities. All this will help us maintain the delivery of a high-quality communications service for the Trust.
It's worth noting that from the outset that as part of this role, you will be required to work at least 60% of the time from one of our Trust sites, in line with our agile working policy.
Main duties of the job
Develop and produce engaging, informative and high quality written and digital content for publication across the Trust's key communication platforms, including the external website, staff intranet, social media accounts and internal newsletters. Using analytics, report and evaluate communications activity to progress the performance of Trust channels and team processes. Provide a responsive and proactive service for assigned accounts, developing and maintaining trusted relationships with staff, patients, service users and external partners. Provide communications support to clinical and corporate teams across the organisation to enable delivery of Trust services, including providing advice and guidance on the production of high quality communications that adhere to Trust's brand guidelines and writing style. Write and issue press releases and answer media queries. Work closely with and be a trusted advisor to senior leadership in the Trust. Identify and escalate communications and/or media risks and issues to managers within the Communications team for strategic input and handling. Organise and/or support the delivery of key events and campaigns (e.g. Excellence Awards, Team/Employee of the month, Annual General Meeting, vaccine delivery, Staff Survey), ensuring that activities are delivered on time, to budget and are of a high standard
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Relevant degree and/or relevant experience in communications, journalism, public relations or marketing
Experience Essential
Experience of working in a communications role or team Experience of publishing content to digital communications channels, including websites & social media platforms Experience of working with the media, including writing press releases and handling media enquiries Experience of planning and delivering, often under significant time pressure Experience of producing a wide range of communications materials for different channels Experience of multi-channel campaign delivery Evidence of design creativity both in briefing external suppliers and in developing in-house materials Content creation for digital channels, including video production and editing
Desirable
Experience of working in the NHS, wider health, public and/or charity sectors Demonstrable ability to deliver results when dealing with highly sensitive issues in a complex environment Experience of effectively managing challenging issues and people Previous project management experience or experience of supporting large-scale projects that have a communications element
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Excellent written, verbal & presentational skills Strong editing & proofreading skills Ability to digest, analyse and interpret complex information and turn it into plain English Excellent and highly developed time management skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload and meet deadlines Ability to work effectively with uncertainty, manage conflicting priorities or sudden unexpected demands and adjust work as required Ability to use own judgment to determine the appropriate course of action Good interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills, with the ability to work with people in a diplomatic manner and establish positive relationships Knowledge of website, social media & email newsletter content management systems Knowledge of branding and style guidelines Good understanding of evaluating and measuring performance and improving engagement across digital channels Good working knowledge of maintaining confidentiality and implementing data protection legislation requirements IT literacy and competency
Desirable
Understanding of the NHS & wider health environment, including current issues, priorities and strategic change. Specialist photography and/or filming skills. Specialist knowledge of website & social media metrics e.g. Google Analytics
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name West London NHS Trust
Address 1 Armstrong Way
London
UB1 3EU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)