Appointed - Interim Senior Communications Officer

You will be responsible for supporting the Press & Media Manager and Marketing & Communications Manager in delivering and implementing the external communications strategy. Working across all available channels and to a wide range of audiences, you will provide subject matter expertise to projects to help them to deliver their strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop, plan and deliver effective marketing and media campaigns and external communications activities to help maximise the impact of their work in line with their business plan.
• Be a source of external communications expertise for the organisation, shaping the communications approaches for specific projects, initiatives and events.
• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, journalists, editors and other commentators in the press and media.
• Prepare and deliver responses to all enquiries, media and otherwise, in line with key strategic messages, including briefing the Chair and other senior staff before media appearances and external events.
• Actively seek out and capitalise on opportunities to help develop the organisation’s profile, as well as identify and prepare for issues which may impact on their reputation.
• Support their internal campaign to improve writing skills across the organisations.

Skills and experience:

• Track record of initiating and delivering media relations activity and campaigns as well as managing reputational issues in complex organisations.
• Knowledge or understanding of the workings of central government and/or the NHS, ideally with an understanding of the role of an Ombudsman function.
• Extensive experience of working in a busy and demanding communications function with proven ability of performing to a high standard under pressure