Job overview
At Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, our Communications team plays a vital role in bringing our vision and values to life through stories that connect, inform, and inspire.
As a Senior Communications Officer, you’ll be at the heart of this mission. You’ll help shape and share the Trust’s story, whether it’s celebrating the achievements of our colleagues, explaining complex changes in a clear and human way, or supporting patients and the public to better understand the care we provide.
This role supports the full communications mix, from creating compelling content for internal and external channels, to handling media enquiries and proactively pitching stories to local and national journalists. You’ll use creative and innovative approaches to reach diverse audiences, ensuring our messages are not only heard but felt.
We’re looking for someone who sees communications not just as a function, but as a force for connection and change. You’ll be a strong communicator, a confident collaborator, and someone who can spot a great story and bring it to life with clarity and heart.
Main duties of the job
Deliver proactive and responsive media relations, including drafting press releases, managing media enquiries, and supporting staff with interviews and filming. Monitor press and social media coverage, maintain media contact databases, and contribute to board-level reporting.
Support stakeholder engagement through event coordination and database management. Craft compelling narratives that showcase Trust priorities, people, and patient stories. Produce internal publications such as the staff bulletin and manage digital content across the website and intranet.
Advise departments on communications best practice, ensuring brand consistency and quality assurance. Lead filming and photography projects, liaise with suppliers, and oversee print production.
Contribute to sustainability and emergency communications, support major incidents, and participate in the out-of-hours rota. Provide general admin support and lead on specific communications projects as directed.
Working for our organisation
Why colleagues think we are
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
1. Experience of working in a communications department
Essential
Essential criteria
2. Experience of using content management systems and other web-related software
3. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills including the ability to turn complex information into plain english
4. Educated to GCSE English language or equivalent
Desirable criteria
5. A relevant degree or equivalent qualification e.g. journalism, public relations or marketing
6. Ability to use design software e.g. Canva and Adobe Creative Suite
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges