Head of CommunicationsinHuddersfieldinHuddersfieldPUBLISHED WED 23 OCT 2024
In addition to overseeing the Trust's communication functions, the Head of Communications will create opportunities for stakeholder engagement, manage reputation-related initiatives, and ensure effective dissemination of key strategic issues. The role requires strong leadership in delivering difficult messages in politically sensitive situations, as well as expertise in analyzing media coverage and promoting the Trust's objectives via digital platforms. Overall, the position is pivotal in shaping the Trust's communication landscape and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
Please note that this post is fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover).
Reporting directly to the Director of Corporate Affairs, the Head of Communications will be the Trust's professional communications lead accountable for all aspects of internal and external communications and contribute to managing the profile and reputation of the Trust.
The post holder will lead on providing advice and management of all aspects of communications to build and maintain a positive reputation with colleagues, key stakeholders, patients, partners and the public. This will include responsibility for internal colleague communications and external communications with partner organisations, local, regional and national stakeholders.
The role will require close liaison with the Trust's Foundations for our future Programme to support the development and delivery of a communications and engagement strategy and associated plans relating to the significant programme underway across the Trust.
Ensuring colleagues, Trust members and partner stakeholders are kept informed of key strategic issues related to the Trust
Developing constructive relationships with the public and media.
Leading and developing communications across the trust and with its partners on the significant transformation and reconfiguration plans
Representing the trust in sensitive and political situations, delivering difficult messages where required to high-level audiences.
Coordinating communications activities in support of key projects and supporting colleagues to manage the strategic public relation impacts of decisions.
Developing and delivering communications plans to support strategic objectives.
Management of the delegated communications budget and supervision / line management of a colleagues within the communications team.
Providing expert advice, guidance and support to members of staff in any dealings they have with the media and to ensure senior members of staff have appropriate support and training.
Leading and advising on reputation management, working with communications teams across partners and regulators to align communication messages.
About us
The post holder will be responsible for managing the work of the Trusts communications function and service offer and this includes line management and budget responsibility for communications support staff.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Responsibilities include:
Ensuring colleagues, Trust members and partner stakeholders are kept informed of key strategic issues related to the Trust.
Creating ongoing opportunities for people to contribute ideas and share good practice through a range of communication channels.
Developing constructive relationships with the public and media.
Leading and developing communications across the trust and with its partners on the significant transformation and reconfiguration plans
Representing the trust in sensitive and political situations, delivering difficult messages where required to high-level audiences.
Handling highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information, including presenting information about projects and dependencies to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in formal settings (for example this could relate to service and reconfiguration plans, patient complaints, coroner inquests, crisis management scenarios etc)
Coordinating communications activities in support of key projects and supporting colleagues to manage the strategic public relation impacts of decisions.
Developing and delivering communications plans to support strategic objectives.
Management of the delegated communications budget and supervision / line management of a colleagues within the communications team.
Providing expert advice, guidance and support to members of staff in any dealings they have with the media and to ensure senior members of staff have appropriate support and training.
Leading and advising on reputation management, working with communications teams across partners and regulators to align communication messages.
Undertaking research to prepare and agree reactive and proactive media statements, identifying media spokespeople and collate and analyse media coverage.
Lead the development of and manage the content for all communication channels as well as specific projects.
Identify proactive media opportunities, patient stories and experience to ensure the trusts aims are heard, understood and relevant.
Lead development of the trusts website, intranet and increased use of social media to positively promote reputation, including analysis and reporting mechanisms.
Provide oversight of communications materials produced by ensuring outputs support strategic priorities, appropriate brand application and reputation management.
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