JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Location: Reports to: Job Level: Media and Communications Officer Leeds Senior media and comms officer 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. This post whilst working across the group, will predominantly provide proactive media support to the NHS Employers organisation. Reporting to the media relations manager, the jobholder will also help run the day-today operation of our busy media office. Working under the supervision of the media and communications manager and the senior media officer you will deal with routine enquiries from journalists from national media both print, broadcast and online. You will also be responsible for close working with key trade publications to promote the work of NHS Employers in particular. You will work closely with programme team colleagues across NHS Employers to identify proactive opportunities to publicise NHS Employers work areas, particularly in trade publications and health related media. You will also contribute to wider communications work across the media team and 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 Implement the media relations strategy for NHS Employers; lead on media relations for NHS Employers work programmes, including the promotion of publications, events and campaigns. Write and distribute press releases, statements, letters and briefings and write and place opinion pieces and articles. Contribute to wider communications campaigns, e.g. by writing campaign briefings, blogs etc. Organise media briefings and events. Relationship management Establish good working relationships with journalists to strengthen and broaden existing contacts in print and broadcast media. Media monitoring and media office systems Work with the media and communications manager to run the day-to-day operation of our busy media office; handle day-to-day media enquiries and set up media interviews. Ensure enquiries are logged and responded to, spokespeople are well-briefed on agreed lines and resulting media coverage carefully recorded 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. Contribute towards internal comms tasks when required. General Provide out-of-hours cover on a rota basis. Support other projects within the external affairs directorate as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Experience in media relations, including writing press releases and handling media enquiries. You will understand media and public relations techniques, and will have 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 relationships with journalists and programme teams.
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 of media relations in a busy environment including writing press releases and handling media enquiries and/or has worked in a busy newsroom. Good contacts in both national and trade health and political media Knowledge Good knowledge of media and public relations techniques Health and public sector interest and political awareness desirable but not essential. Skills Excellent written skills for both internal and external audiences Excellent oral communication skills with the ability to diplomatically handle people/organisations with differing views Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and to interpret them for a variety of audiences Good news judgement 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