Digital Communications Lead

Job overview

The Communications Team has a vital role in the delivery of NUH’s ambition to be outstanding in health outcomes and patient and staff experience.

The postholder will work under the guidance of the Head of External Communications but will support the wider communications team in delivering high quality messaging and content to a wide internal and external audience.

The postholder will take the lead on the delivery of design and digital communications activity, including leading on all aspects related to proactive planning and management of social media, web and content production.

The postholder will be able to establish positive working relationships quickly at all levels of the organisation and manage a busy workload, responding to conflicting priorities as required.

The postholder will have line management responsibility for the Digital Communications Assistant, Digital Communications Officer (Research), Graphic Designer and Graphic Designer (print services).

The role supports the Communications Team works in partnership with its clinical and operational support divisions, responding to needs in a timely way.

The post holder will be based at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) with the ability to work across all Trust and external sites as needed.

The postholder will be required to work flexibly, including out-of-hours working as required to the role and part of the on-call rota, for which there is an additional payment.

Main duties of the job

• To lead all aspects related to the successful and proactive planning, management and delivery of digital communications and engagement.
• Lead on all day-to-day activities related to maintaining and the ongoing development of the Trust’s website and social media channels, including generating and developing content.
• To lead on the ongoing development and management of the Trust brand and corporate identity, including creative and brand guidelines.
• To maintain technical skills and knowledge relevant to the team – including use of appropriate computer software packages (including Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Capcut and Microsoft) suitable for print and digital use.
• To lead on video and photography production, managing consent, filming and delivery to audience needs.
• Provide regular and as required reports offering relevant and detailed insight into delivery of communications across online channels.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To support the development of creative campaign concepts, working with the Communications Team, that support the delivery of the Trust’s strategic priorities
• Manage, own and develop NUH’s public website, intranet and social media channels, alongside development of new channels as required.
• Lead on all day-to-day activities related to maintaining and the ongoing development of the Trust’s website and social media channels, including generating and developing content.
• To lead on the ongoing development and management of the Trust brand and corporate identity, including creative and brand guidelines.
• To deliver training to the organisation re: social media, content development and web.
• To maintain technical skills and knowledge relevant to the team – including use of appropriate computer software packages (including Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Capcut and Microsoft) suitable for print and digital use
• To support deliver the in-house printing function, supporting the Trust in developing and delivering timely and cost-effective print work
• To lead on video and photography production, managing consent, filming and delivery to audience needs.
• Agree targets for all digital activity and embed appropriate evaluation/ analytic tools to monitor and adjust the effectiveness of these platforms. This includes managing the contract for the social platform that is chosen.
• Keep abreast of digital and social media developments, and recommend and support the integration of appropriate tools for distinct target audiences
• Ensure all activity complies with current legislation related to data protection, accessibility and usability, and be alert to new/emerging regulations and guidelines such as PECR/GDPR regulations.
• To lead all aspects related to the successful and proactive planning, management and delivery of digital communications and engagement.
• Work closely with the Communications and Engagement Team to ensure joined up working and best use of digital platforms to maximise internal and external engagement

Communication

• To communicate complex service and patient-related information effectively across all digital channels and facilitate collaborative working with the multi-disciplinary teams
• Enable wider Communications and Engagement Team to understand how to incorporate digital communication into planning to ensure wide online engagement.
• Be pro-active in promoting the Trust’s vision for delivering excellence.
• To support colleagues at all levels with advice and guidance specific to digital, internal and external communications.

Quality and Governance

• Support the Trust with internal and external communications requirements during major incidents and Trust-wide crisis
• Make judgements that require analysis and interpretation of situations where internal and external stakeholders/experts may challenge decisions made
• Provide regular and as required reports offering relevant and detailed insight into delivery of communications across online channels.

Management

• Lead on the day-to-day line management of the Digital Team, providing advice and support to team members to ensure a quality and timely communications service is delivered across digital channels.
• Complete appraisals for direct line report and ensure they undertake mandatory training to the required timescale
• Support with in-team recruitment and selection.
• Ensure that personal development plans are in place for direct line reports and reflection and continuous learning are part of day-to-day activity

Professional

• Maintain expert knowledge of current technological and best practice developments across the communications fields
• Maintain and update Professional Portfolio and Professional Development Plan.
• Be able to work independently and manage own workload to make effective use of time and resources and working to local and national standards
• Work flexibly and undertake other duties commensurate to the grade as required
• Participate in Joint Annual Personal Development Review with line managers

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.