JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Location: Reports to: Job Level: Senior Media and Communications Officer London Media Relations Manager Professional Prepared: January 2017 PURPOSE To support the delivery of the NHS Confederation group s media strategy by devising and delivering positive coverage which strengthens the Confederation and its constituent parts reputation as a leading player in the health debate. You will also help to manage our media response to the day to-day health news agenda. This will include drafting replies to individual enquiries from print, online and broadcast outlets and briefing spokespeople ahead of broadcast interviews. NATURE & SCOPE This post is based in the external affairs directorate which manages the communications of the organisation as a whole, its influencing strategies and reputation among all key audiences including media and digital media, publishing, marketing and other channels and key stakeholders. The team also provides specific support to NHS Employers and the different networks and forums within the Confederation. Reporting to the Head of Communications, the jobholder will help run the day-to-day operation of our busy media office. You will have regular contact with journalists from national media both print, broadcast and online covering major health issues of the day. You will also be responsible for close working with key trade publications, national print and broadcast outlets to promote the work of the NHS Confederation, our networks and forums. You will be expected to work with external relations colleagues, policy and programme team and our networks to ensure consistent messages are delivered across our target audiences, with our media relations supporting our wider public affairs and organisational objectives. You will also liaise closely with the programme communications team for NHS Employers. You will work closely with the NHS Confederation s senior team to advise on media handling and all aspects of media relations as well as contributing to wider communications work. You will also participate in the rota providing the organisation s out-of-hours service, for which an allowance is paid.
STRUCTURE CHART To follow. ACCOUNTABILITIES Influencing strategies and campaigns Contribute to the development and implementation of the media relations strategy; lead on media relations for our work programmes, and devise and implement media relations strategies (including promoting publications, events and campaigns). Devise, write and distribute lines-to-take on media hot topics and advise and brief directors and other senior staff on agreed lines and all aspects of media relations. Write and distribute press releases, statements, letters and briefings and write and place opinion pieces and articles. Project manage specific projects. Contribute to wider communications campaigns, e.g. by writing campaign briefings, blogs etc. Organise media briefings and events. Work with fellow media officers and the Head of Communications to strengthen our media spokespeople through enhanced media training and by identifying new members to speak on behalf of the Confederation group. Contribute to the growing social media presence of the NHS Confederation and its constituent parts. Relationship management Establish good working relationships with journalists to strengthen and broaden existing contacts in print and broadcast media. Work with press teams from partner organisations on joint projects. Media monitoring and media office systems Work with fellow media officers to run the day-to-day operation of our busy media office; handle day-to-day media enquiries and set up media interviews, ensuring enquiries are logged and responded to and spokespeople are well-briefed on agreed lines. Write the daily media summary for wider distribution to all staff, members and commercial associates. Ensure effective media monitoring systems are in place and spokespeople and senior staff are briefed on current issues. Ensure the maintenance of effective media monitoring and evaluation systems. General Provide out-of-hours cover on a rota basis. Support other projects within the external affairs directorate as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Extensive experience in media relations, including devising key messages, writing press releases and handling media enquiries. They will have a firm grasp of media and public relations techniques, as well as an interest in health and the public sector. The jobholder will also have good political awareness. They will have excellent written and oral communications skills, good news judgement, the ability to develop strategic relationships with journalists and the ability to advise and influence internally at a senior level on agreed lines and on all aspects of media relations.
SAFETY Health and Safety at Work Act The jobholder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and to co-ordinate with management in the promotion and maintenance of health and safety measures. SIGNATURES Jobholder Name Manager Name Director Name
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Senior Media and Communications Officer ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Experience Good working knowledge and an excellent track record of media relations in a busy environment including devising key messages, dealing with and advising senior management, writing press releases, dealing with crisis communications and handling media enquiries. Applicants who have worked as a journalist in a busy newsroom will also be considered. Good contacts in both national and trade health and political media preferable. Knowledge Good knowledge of media and public relations techniques Health and public sector interest and political awareness Good knowledge of social media Skills Excellent written and oral communications skills Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and to interpret them for a variety of audiences Good news judgement Ability to strategically build and manage relationships at senior level Ability to organise events Self-motivated and able to act on own initiative Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines Strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy Ability to prioritise and manage competing tasks Ability to work effectively as part of a team Well organised, with an attention to detail and ability to maintain effective office systems IT literacy