You will play a vital role within the communications team, helping to provide a high quality, professional and responsive external communications function that supports activity to raise and protect the reputation of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) and our vision of Brilliant Care through Brilliant People.

This includes communicating nationally and regionally about the services and work we deliver, our research and innovation, how we are an employer of choice, and our ongoing impact and future plans to transform and improve mental health across Kent and Medway.

Main duties

• To help manage and support external communications campaigns and activities that are aligned to the organisation’s mission, priorities and values
• To provide external communications support to colleagues and stakeholders
• To build effective relationships across the organisation to help gather and identify information for external communications
• To build effective relationships with external stakeholders to deliver plans and secure buy in
• To engage with the media proactively and reactively
• To support on external engagement activities, including events, consultations and awards
• To write, produce and distribute external communications including newsletters, news stories, notices for bulletins and videos, social media posts, award submissions
• To raise and support the profile, vision and priorities of KMPT to its external stakeholders
• To support recruitment marketing and communications activities

Responsibilities

• Support the external communications manager to plan, deliver and evaluate external communications strategies, campaigns and activities for KMPT, tailored to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
• Support the team to deliver external communications plans for key projects, events and activities, ensuring work is delivered to a high quality.
• To draft external communications content including press releases, briefings, presentations, bulletins, newsletters and social media, and award submissions
• To work with colleagues across the communications team to share stories, activity and news to relevant audiences and via appropriate channels
• To help manage the external communications channels and to measure and report on their performance, including media coverage, stakeholder engagement, and social media
• Deputise for the external communications manager as required
• To respond to internal and external requests for external communications support
• To provide advice and recommendations on external communications to colleagues at all levels across the trust
• To deliver communications projects
• Manage the external communications strategic calendar and identify potential clashes and offer solutions to the external communications manager
• Work closely with the internal communications officer to ensure communications are integrated and complementary across internal and external audiences and channels.
• Lead on proactive and reactive media engagement. To include writing and editing press releases and statements, drafting briefings and preparing spokespeople
• Seek opportunities to achieve positive and accurate media coverage of the Trust in national, regional, local, specialist and trade publications.
• Monitoring all media coverage, ensuring senior members of the communications team and colleagues are kept informed in a timely manner. Maintain an awareness of the news agenda and emerging news events.
• Ensure effective, timely communication and engagement with individuals and teams across the Trust, utilising communications channels and feedback mechanisms to best effect
• Be proactive in identifying opportunities to develop yourself, others and the Trust’s communications
• Keep databases and contacts of key stakeholders, including the media, up to date
• Create content for digital channels including the website, staff app and social media channels.
• Support budget and finance activities, including procurement and management of external suppliers. Be aware of and comply with procurement processes and ensure suppliers are delivering value for money.
• Commission graphic design for campaigns and other corporate communications. Ensure that all Trust information meets NHS corporate identity guidelines and the Trust’s style guide.
• Evaluate external communications activity and report this to the director and senior colleagues.
• Manage the external communications strategic calendar and identify potential clashes, and offer solutions to the external communications manager.
• To help maintain the Trust intranet and website by advising, uploading and amending information
• To help provide an accurate and creative copy writing and proof-reading service
• To build effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System (ICS) and NHS, and supporting the Trust’s relationship with external stakeholders including service users, voluntary sector and local authorities.
• To lead on recruitment marketing and communications activities
• To support on promoting and organising external speaking events, ensuring colleagues and senior leaders are sharing key messages with target audiences effectively and consistently
• Work with colleagues in the communications team to develop and maintain the Trust’s web and social media presence, and to raise the profile of KMPT’s work internally.
• Contribute to the production of Trust publications by researching, writing and editing articles and providing photographs.