Communications and Engagement Manager

The postholder will lead on and manage all aspect of communications, marketing, business development and stakeholder engagement for UHL R&I.
This includes leading on communications to raise the profile of R&I internally and externally with a wide range of stakeholders. This involves planning and delivering both internal and external communications to ensure that staff, UHL leaders, patients, the public, media, industry and funders are well informed about our research and achievements.
It will be essential to raise the profile of and promote the strategy and operational priorities for R&I at UHL. This will be achieved through multiple channels, such as digital, press, broadcast media, social media, advertising, exhibitions and events. The postholder will have key skills in stakeholder management and media relations which are essential for this role. The post holder will work closely with the External Relations team at UHL, University of Leicester and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group to ensure communications are coordinated and aligned.
The Communications Manager will report to the Operations Director R&I Manager and be accountable to the Deputy Director of R&I. There will be professional accountability to UHL Head of Communications and Engagement. They will act as a point of contact for UHL R&I executive and staff groups, providing communications activity, advice, support, training, and updates., The postholder will report on a day-to-day basis to the Operations Director for R&I and will be line-managed by the same.
+ UHL Communications Directorate
+ UHL leaders and Staff
+ Research and Innovation office staff
+ Clinical and academic research staff within the Trust and partners Trust, (University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group)
+ University of Leicester, in particular External Relations, College of Life Sciences and Research Enterprise Division
+ East Midlands Academic Health Science Network
+ Commercial companies/life sciences organisations
+ Primary Care networks
+ Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
+ Local, regional and national media
+ Patients, carers and public groups, organisations and forums

Working for our organisation
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
+ high-quality care for all,
+ being a great place to work,
+ partnerships for impact, and
+ research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
+ we are compassionate,
+ we are proud,
+ we are inclusive, and
+ we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies, + Work with patients, participants and other groups and forums that represent patient perspectives to develop good practice on engaging and involving a wide range of people in research
+ Use your own specialist expertise and experience to speak confidently with internal and external stakeholders - including but not limited to - research teams, funders, commercial companies, the media and external collaborators on behalf of R&I
+ Identify and maximise R&I communication opportunities by planning campaigns around key events, such as awareness days. For example, promote national NIHCR campaigns, such as Be Part of Research and Your Path In Research, collaborating with regional and national partners and local initiative such as R&I Voices.
+ Organise and facilitate meetings, roadshows, displays, conferences and events with service user groups and other stakeholders
+ Work closely with other communications teams in BRC, CRF and PRC across the partnership to maximise reach and impact
+ To provide reports on the performance of communication activities in relation to strategy, objectives and action plans to the R&I Executive Group.
+ To attend R&I management meetings and provide regular updates on activity and progress against objectives.
+ Develop methods to evaluate communications and engagement activity performance against objectives, reporting these into the R&I Executive.
+ Expect feedback, and share constructive feedback with R&I communications colleagues, to continuously develop and improve
+ Take responsibility for personal career development by attending training courses as agreed with line manager and seek development opportunities where appropriate.
+ Provide reasonable cover and general support to the R&I communications team during periods of absence and peak workload
+ Any other duties commensurate with the grade, which support R&I in the achievement of their business objectives and legal obligations via effective communications and engagement.

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.
Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.
UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.
The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.
COVID 19 Risk Assessment
Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.
The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.
If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.
Covid Vaccination Status
Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.