Senior Communications Manager

Job summary The Senior Communications Manager plays a crucial role in enhancing and protecting the reputation of the organisation.
The postholder will provide expert communication management support for the Trust's internal programmes and transformational programmes including leading Listening into Action, Anti-Racism and Anchors programme.
They will work proactively senior clinical, corporate, and operational stakeholders to manage various major communications programmes across the organisation to support the delivery of the strategic ambition Building a Culture of Trust alongside the organisation's strategic objectives.
Main duties of the job The postholder will work towards the implementation of the Trust's communications strategy, supporting the delivery of corporate objectives, delivering against personal objectives and ensuring the successful delivery of the team's annual objectives.
They will oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of communications and engagement plans to support the Building a Culture of Trust ambition alongside major trust-wide programmes They will drive delivery of a range of initiatives and projects, ensuring all work is delivered to agreed standards and timelines They will conduct regular supervision and annual appraisals for direct reports They will support team members to gather, analyse and prepare intelligence, ensuring effective and timely responses to queries from internal and external stakeholders They will work with colleagues (including Internal Communications and Listening into Action teams) across the Trust to ensure appropriate support at key corporate events such as the CEO/Chair broadcasts, staff awards and high-profile internal forums , Leadership Forum.
They will oversee the development and management of the Trust's staff engagement programme The post-holder will need to use their specialist expertise to influence and persuade senior colleagues on a wide range of complex and sensitive communications issues.
The post holder will also deputise, where appropriate, for the Director of Communications and Engagement.
About us Our values, Kindness, Respect and Together, are in keeping with the NHS Constitution and set the standards for how we plan and make decisions; deliver quality care; behave with each other and service users and recruit, induct, appraise and develop our staff.
We are looking for staff who will help us live these values and help to make South London and Maudesley NHS Foundation Trust a better place for everyone.
Job description Job responsibilities Key result areas To oversee the development, delivery and evaluation of communications and engagement plans that support the Trusts strategic objectives and build the Trusts reputation as a leading organisation within the NHS, ensuring that activity is in line with the Trusts overall communications and engagement strategy.
To ensure that relationships with key stakeholders are maintained and proactively developed.
To oversee the development and delivery of communications and engagement plans to support major trust-wide projects, providing leadership and expert advice, ensuring communications plans align with broader communications strategies including staff engagement and involvement programmes.
To work with senior managers to identify and develop communications campaigns to support the organisation in meeting its strategic objectives, providing strategic advice and expertise to enable opportunities for feedback, involvement and contribution to decision-making.
To ensure that all communications materials and channels help build the Trusts reputation as a leading organisation within the NHS, that they are correctly tailored for the appropriate target audiences, including hard to reach audiences, and are in line with the Trusts overall communications strategy.
To ensure the Trust brand and visual identity are protected, including supporting other staff in the correct application of corporate style guidelines, ensuring compliance and addressing inconsistencies.
To ensure the organisational internal and external channels are kept uptodate with the relevant information from the clinical programmes and workstreams Policy and Service Development To understand the internal environment, organisational development, and principles of culture change to ensure best practice is brought into internal programmes.
To review and draft changes to existing policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs) which may impact service delivery, drafting new policies and SLAs where To lead the development and implementation of the communications and engagement sub strategies ensuring compliance with disability legislation and that the Trust meets itsstatutory obligations in terms of accessibility.
To work with senior colleagues to develop new business proposals where needs have been identified.
To be responsible for the development and implementation of protocols to ensure the Trusts patient information complies with best practice guidance.
To ensure organisational compliance with NHS and Trust Brand and Identity.
The post holder will need to maintain a good knowledge of emerging policies and guidance from government departments such as DHSC, NHSE, ICB interpreting the guidance, assessing any impact and ensuring effective communication to the organisation.
Information Resources To draft reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the Director of Communications and Engagement and, where necessary, attend relevant meetings to deliver those reports and advise on communications issues.
To provide regular analysis and reports to senior managers on the use of the website, intranet, staff apps etc, suggesting improvements where necessary.
To prepare briefings for regulatory and advisory bodies in respect of updating them on complex issues.
To analyse complex statistical data to inform the development of communications strategies, plans and reports and support decision making, highlighting issues and risks and identifying mitigating action.
To collate as required, a range of information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases To undertake audits, surveys and utilise other feedback techniques to evaluate the communications function both internally and externally.
To ensure key corporate documents are managed through version control measures.
Finance To plan and manage the Listening into Action budget and be responsible for managing the finances of the Change Makers programme on behalf of Maudsley Charity.
To monitor and assess the required financial investment for communications activities in order to inform budget setting and to manage resources within the agreed budget identified.
To commission and brief designers, developers, communications agencies and other external suppliers; ensuring that expenditure stays within agreed budget.
To ensure administrative and financial integrity as expected within a public sector organisation following Trust and national guidance.
To be responsible for achieving financial savings targets as required.
Research and Development To be responsible for keeping up to date with best practice and new techniques in internal communications including the use and application of AI to achieve greater efficiency.
To keep up to date with national policy, new health initiatives and partner organisations strategies and plans and how these impact locally on the Trust Managerial Responsibilities Deputise for the Director of Communications and Engagement as required.
Manage direct reports, assessing and allocating work and ensuring regular supervision and appraisals (PADR).
To support, motivate and develop people within the team.
To work with senior colleagues to scope out the communications potential of new projects and determine appropriate staffing levels, assessing line management structures necessary to deliver to these projects where appropriate.
Managing third parties (such as consultants/interims) to ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner and within budget.
Training and Development To undertake Mandatory and Statutory training (MAST) as required by Trust Policy To contribute and commit to undertaking and Performance Appraisal and Development Review (PADR).
To undertake personal development as identified in the PADR.
To introduce new starters to the communications and engagement function at corporate inductions.
To train colleagues at all levels across the Trust in internal communications and digital skills as required.
General This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the postholder may be required to undertake other duties which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the postholder.
The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality of Information.
The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the work that they undertake is conducted in a manner which is safe to themselves and others, and for adhering to the advice and instructions on Health and Safety matters given by Manager(s).
If postholders consider that a hazard to Health and Safety exists, it is their responsibility to report this to their manager(s).
The postholder is expected to comply with the appropriate Code(s) of Conduct associated with this post.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust operates a no smoking policy.
We are an equal opportunities employer.
It is the policy of the Trust to ensure that no user of the service, past, present or future employee, or job applicant, receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation; in line with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Strategy Other The post holder will occasionally be exposed to distressing situations which may include suicides and absconds as well as dealing with sensitive staffing issues and managing communications, particularly with the media, in times of crisis.
Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential Educated to Masters level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualifications or significant experience working at a similar level in specialist area Evicentce of continuing professional and personal development in the field of marketing, journalism or public relations - CIM, CAM, IPR or similar Desirable CIPR diploma or advanced certificate Prince 2 practitioner Professional qualification in marketing, journalism or public relations (CIM, CAM, IPR or similar) Professional qualification in ecommunications Experience Essential Demonstrable experience of working in a communications / PR / Senior journalist role within a large and complex organisation Experience working in NHS communications Experience of writing excellent copy for a wide range of outlets and for a wide range of target audiences Demonstrated experience of managing communications projects including development, planning, implementation and evaluation Experience of managing relationships with design and print agencies Experience of managing website and/or intranet development projects Experience of successfully delivering communications strategies and implementing communications programmes Experience of operating in a politically sensitive environment Experience of managing/supervising staff Experience of successfully managing large scale stakeholder events, launches and campaigns Desirable Experience of working in mental health Excellent presentation skills Understanding of brand management Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at a senior level Understanding of best practice in social media Knowledge and Skills Essential Good understanding of the national government and the NHS, how it works, the issues it faces and how to communicate within it Excellent written and verbal communications skills In-dept knowledge and understanding of current communications practice and theory Knowledge and understanding of digital communications including public websites, intranets and social media Ability to grasp complex issues and concepts Ability to prepare and produce concise and insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required The ability to identify the target audience for any given issue, understand their needs and the best channels to reach them, adapting writing styles to suit and developing copy with speed and accuracy Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders Report writing skills Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) Ability to think creatively and to assess the merit of design work Ability to demonstrate a high level of attention to detail Policy design, development and implementation skills Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with people at all levels Ability to remain calm under pressure Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team Desirable Knowledge of HTML coding Knowledge of website content management systems Knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint Behaviours and Values Essential Ability to behave in accordance with our Trust values Other Essential Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems Carry out responsibilities in such a way to minimise risk of hard to children and young people and promote their welfare Desirable Personal experience of mental health problems