Overview
Job summary
This is a 4 day per week (0.8 WTE) role offered on a fixed term contract until end of July 2026. The Senior Communications Officer will be part of a forward thinking, busy Marketing and Communications team. Reporting to the Communications Manager, you will lead on delivering creative and effective communications for a wide range of corporate projects and initiatives, helping to keep our varied and dispersed workforce informed and engaged. With a track record of developing and delivering engaging, accessible communications in fast-moving and strategic situations, you will bring creative flair and the ability to use a wide range of channels and approaches. You\'ll understand how to reach and involve diverse and hard to reach staff groups, inspiring and motivating people, while making sure all communications are inclusive, accessible and aligned with our Trust values. You will demonstrate strong skills in planning, delivery and evaluation, and be confident producing high-quality copy for online and offline content. Experience in commissioning and creating multimedia content, and confidence in using digital platforms and tools will be essential, alongside a commitment to keeping up to date with emerging trends and insights. There is a strong focus on internal communications, but you will also support external engagement with patients, the public and stakeholders, ensuring they are informed and involved appropriately.
Main duties
Internal communications
* Inputting and delivering elements of our internal communications strategy
* Plan work and activities that deliver team and corporate objectives
* Develop bespoke communications for projects and programmes, leading on strategy, planning, delivery and evaluation
* Write, edit and proof compelling content for campaigns and publications, in line with our tone of voice
* Create and distribute regular internal communications, including our weekly e-newsletter, intranet content and other staff-facing updates
* Create concepts, plan and deliver events for staff, both in person and virtual
* Use analytics, feedback and insight tools for reporting and improvements
* Translate complex transformational change information into effective communications
* Lead and contribute to workshops, meetings, steering groups, programme boards etc representing and advising on internal comms
External communications
* Deliver effective awareness and communication campaigns to our patients, public and wider stakeholders
* Work with system partners to promote national programmes
* Develop communications for patients (print and digital) and support with copy for our web and social media channels
* Identify proactive media opportunities to highlight successful initiatives/outcomes, drafting engaging content
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated \'outstanding\' by the CQC, we\'re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we\'re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance
* 27 days\' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
* Generous NHS pension scheme
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* \'Cycle to Work\' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
Details
Date posted: 28 August 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum (pro rata) incl of HCAS)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 10 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 371-CS294
Job location: Communications, Bracknell, RG12 2UT
Responsibilities and requirements
The must haves for this role:
* Four years minimum experience in a communications or marketing role, delivering strategies and campaigns from planning through to evaluation
* Strong copywriting and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into engaging, accessible content
* Confidence in using a range of digital tools and channels (e.g. intranet, e-newsletters, social media, video, multimedia content)
* Proven ability to engage diverse and hard-to-reach audiences, ensuring communications are inclusive and accessible, and aligned with organisational values
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to collaborate, influence and advise at all levels
* Able to work independently, with the ability to prioritise an often demanding workload
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to explain how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We\'re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: Communications, Bracknell, RG12 2UT
Employer's website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/
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