Overview

Can you help us spread the word about how innovation can improve health equity? Are you a dynamic communications professional that has a ‘can-do’ attitude and a ‘what-if…’ creative flair? Are you digitally savvy and open to new approaches to online engagement? We are looking for a new Communications Manager to join our team.

In 2013 a small group of founding member organisations established the South West Academic Health Science Network. They were motivated by a shared ambition to accelerate the adoption and spread of innovation across our region to improve population health and generate economic growth.

Step forward eight years and that ambition has become a reality. Working in collaboration with the AHSNs across England, our work transforms lives through innovation.

In the last year, our work as a network of AHSNs has benefited over 258,000 people and leveraged over £462m of investment into the health and life science sector. You can read more about the impact of our work nationally in our latest AHSN Network impact report and regional work in our annual review.

At the South West AHSN we focus our efforts on improving health equity – identifying and spreading innovative practice that helps close health equity gaps in access to care, quality of care, opportunity for a healthy life and agency in managing individual health. Working with our members and partners, we share the ambition and opportunity to improve health equity through the adoption and spread of innovative practice.

We do this by:

• Spreading innovative practice across the health and care system through collaboration, practical support and knowledge sharing.
• Building capability in our region to spread innovative practice and improve quality.
• Supporting evaluation and application of learning to improve the delivery of health and care services.

As a Communications Manager you will report to our Communications Director and work collaboratively with colleagues to manage an exciting portfolio of communications activities, ensuring the South West AHSN continues to extend its reach and influence internally, regionally and nationally.

Working across an ambitious, forward-thinking organisation, you will develop impactful communications campaigns that inform, inspire and connect our staff, stakeholders and external audiences.

We are looking for someone who can use a variety of methods, including their extensive experience with digital communications to demonstrate the impact of our work and its role in improving health equity in the South West.

Role Profile

You will ensure high quality and timely delivery of communications projects across the organisations programmes.

Working with communications colleagues, you will advise and support colleagues on all aspects of brand, content, design and media. You will have a particular focus on development and delivery of impactful digital communications.

You will work with other colleagues to make the most of their communications skills and ensure productive well-managed relationships with external consultants, agencies and suppliers to create strategic, content-led internal and external communications.

Key success factors

• Able to use a variety of methods and combine data with patient stories to clearly demonstrate the impact of our work and its outcomes for people receiving health and care.
• Able to see the bigger picture and demonstrate the benefits of the South West AHSN’s work with its many partners.
• Comfortable with change and uncertainty in a fast-paced setting.
• A proactive, solutions-focused completer finisher, with a can-do attitude.
• Enabling colleagues across the organisations to make the most of their communications skills and develop their capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Generate and co-ordinate effective communications aligned with the organisation’s health equity strategy, business plan, and communications strategy.
• Maximise the impact of a content-based approach to stakeholder communications, including thought leadership campaigns.
• Expand the organisation’s reach and profile as a leading voice in health equity using digital communications.
• Manage impact measuring and reporting from communications campaigns.
• Provide communications management for South West AHSN events such as conferences, seminars, workshops and exhibitions.
• Proactively generate campaigns, developing the organisations editorial plan to raise our profile and as a leading voice on improving health equity.
• Liaise with colleagues across the organisation and the South West AHSN Network, supporting national communications projects and working collaboratively to co-produce messaging and materials as appropriate.
• Provide project management and development support to our Digital Communications Assistant (Apprentice).
• Manage relationships with consultants and external suppliers.

Person Specification

Experience we are looking for

• Experience of working in corporate and strategic communications settings, producing a portfolio of targeted marketing and communications assets to support organisational strategy.
• A strong digital communications background, with an excellent eye for detail and ability to create engaging content for different channels and audiences.
• Working knowledge of proactive relationship management, membership or stakeholder engagement.
• A track record in a busy environment, working to tight deadlines and having the resilience to cope with changing business demands.
• Experience of line management, and managing supplier and consultant relationships.
• A high level of computer skills, including demonstrable experience of creating impact through a range of online platforms, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress and maximising the use of CRM systems.

Experience and capabilities you will develop in the role

• Developing impactful communications to improve health and care and support cutting-edge innovative practice to flourish.
• Co-producing communications within diverse partnerships and across sectors including health and care, industry, and the voluntary sector.
• Influencing the voice of the organisation in a learning-based environment where creativity and new ideas are encouraged.

Abilities and attributes

• An instinct for a good story and how to highlight the human angle.
• Up to date on the latest communications practices and tools and how they can be applied in different situations.
• Effective communications skills – with the ability to earn and maintain the trust of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Organised and able to effectively prioritise competing demands, using project management skills to stay on track.
• Adaptability – confident in the moment to appraise and re-prioritise tasks calmly.
• Collaborative in approach – open to challenge, co-production and change.
• Creative and curious – not afraid of complexity.
• Energetic and goal-focused – a commitment to delivering excellence in all circumstances.

Communications Manager

Reporting to: Director of Communications