Communications Officer

We are looking for an experienced Communications Officer to join us for six months, and deliver our communications plan for ourImproving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT)service in Sheffield.

**It's the job for you, if you are**:

- are passionate about everything Sheffield
- can tell a great story about the brilliant work that we do with people who have mental illnesses

This is a job with potential, the previous post holder has secured a permanent role in the team.

We're looking for a communications all-rounder who can advise and guide others on the best way to communicate. We need your demonstrable communications, public relations or marketing experience.

You will be the first point of contact for all communications activity for the IAPT service.

**You will lead on the delivery of key work areas, including**:

- Website
- developing and updating the IAPT website, including training staff to edit the site.
- Social media
- managing content (including advertising) for the IAPT service on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
- Graphic design
- Copy writing
- writing engaging copy for a range of audiences and platforms.
- Media relations
- identifying proactive opportunities to promote the service and handling reactive media enquiries.
- Photography and videography
- capturing and editing photos and video.

All of the work carried out as part of this role will be captured in a communications strategy and delivery plan with key targets and evaluation.

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It’s important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Job description

**Job title**: Communications Officer

**Band**: 5

**Reports to**: Communications Manager

**Accountable to**: Head of Communications
Job purpose

The Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in providing communications expertise across the organisation both internally and externally.

The role is key to enhancing communications and reputation with all stakeholders, including staff, members of the public and the media. The post holder will be responsible for leading a broad range of communications activities, including the management of communications channels, projects, events and campaigns.

A proactive attitude and the ability to build positive relationships with teams and individuals internal and external to the organisation, including journalists, is paramount.
General requirements

Minimum qualifications, knowledge, training and experience required for the post:

- Knowledge of communications, public relations, media relations and marketing communication techniques, approaches, procedures, acquired through training to relevant degree level or equivalent
- IT literacy - fluent in MS Office.

Communication and relationship skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to provide and interpret complex, sensitive information where co-operation, agreement, persuasion and negotiation is required
- Ability to influence and brief staff on marketing and communication issues
- Ability to brief media contacts
- Ability to work as a team as well as on own initiative
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries
- Ability to deal with potential conflict.

Analytical and judgement skills
- Analyse and compare options and justify decision making
- Ability to decide how to present articles for internal or external audiences
- Ability to decide on how to respond to media requests
- Problem solving - ability to think creatively and laterally
- Evaluation of communications activities.

Planning and organisational skills
- Ability to develop and implement a wide range of communication activities
- Ability to arrange meetings, events, press conferences and photo calls
- Prioritise workload, work flexibly as a team or individual, under pressure with tight deadlines
- Ability to work in a busy environment with conflicting and ever changing priorities.

Physical skills
- Advanced use of IT packages.

Human Resources
- Demonstrate own activities to other staff in the communications team
- Organise media training
- Participate in performance review, supervision and undertake