This post is Fixed term for 11 months until 31 March 2027 due to secondment cover.
The purpose of the role is to lead on the development and delivery of communications strategies and plans.
The post holder will also support the Senior Communications Manager for Campaigns and Planning in the development and delivery of strategic communications and campaigns across a range of disciplines that help Public Health Wales achieve its organisational priorities.
The role will provide expert advice and support on complex, sensitive, and high‑profile issues, ensuring clear, accurate and empathetic communication across content, digital channels, media relations and stakeholder engagement, while maintaining Public Health Wales' reputation and public trust.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
The purpose of the role is to lead on the development and delivery of communications strategies and plans.
The post holder will also support the Senior Communications Manager for Campaigns and Planning in the development and delivery of strategic communications and campaigns across a range of disciplines that help Public Health Wales achieve its organisational priorities.
The role will provide expert advice and support on complex, sensitive, and high‑profile issues, ensuring clear, accurate and empathetic communication across content, digital channels, media relations and stakeholder engagement, while maintaining Public Health Wales' reputation and public trust.
About us
We are Public Health Wales – the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well‑being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.
We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part‑time roles and job sharing.
Job responsibilities
The Communications Manager is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of public health communications strategies, plans and campaigns in Public Health Wales.
Partnership Communications
Strengthen the partnership between Public Health Wales and its stakeholders by supporting and promoting open and proactive communications between them.
Marketing Communications
Create, write and edit content for Public Health Wales materials, including social media, to be seen by stakeholders and the public.
Support sustained engagement with local government, the third sector, the public and other stakeholders in relation to public health.
Develop, deliver and evaluate communications campaigns in line with Government Communications Service methods.
Media relations
Develop plans in relation to high‑profile, complex, contentious and/or challenging issues.
Draft press releases, statements and features.
Interpret specialist clinical information into easy‑to‑understand health messages for the public and promote them.
Liaise with journalists to promote feature and news ideas.
Liaise with journalists to set up pictures.
Liaise with journalists to set up interviews.
Advise and support staff in drafting press releases and media responses on all types of issues including those that are complex, contentious and/or challenging.
Advise and support staff on the delivery of health advice through the media.
Work in partnership with communications officers of partner organisations who have different, and sometimes contradictory, perspectives.
Liaise with journalists, pressure groups and the public on issues which may be distressing, emotional, unwelcome and/or stressful as well as complex, contentious and/or challenging.
Receive media enquiries on behalf of Public Health Wales and advise on, develop and manage responses on behalf of the organisations including lines to take on complex, contentious and/or challenging issues.
Develop and manage a media monitoring system which reports on the media profile of Public Health Wales and the messages reported.
Liaise with staff in Public Health Wales and its web team to create, write and edit the content of its internet sites.
Promote and use social media to promote engagement with public health issues.
Standards for Health Services
Implement processes and systems in line with action plans to achieve the Standards for Health Services which relate to communication and citizen engagement.
Collect evidence to demonstrate that Public Health Wales meets the Standards for Health Services which relate to communication and citizen engagement.
Other
Analyse the communication implications of policy proposals and provide advice on managing the implications.
Provide input and advice to policy development.
Attend, report to and contribute to discussions at meetings of the Public Health Wales Communications Team.
Deputise for the Senior Manager (Campaigns and Planning) at meetings and in other communications work in their absence.
Provide an on‑call, out‑of‑hours media response service in rota with other members of the Communications Team.
Person Specification
Other
* oAbility to travel to locations across Wales when required
Qualifications and Knowledge
* oHonours Degree oMSc or equivalent experience and training in Public Relations or Journalism oComprehensive knowledge and understanding of: - NHS systems and structures -The role and functions of public health organisations in Wales oIn depth workings of the written, broadcast and social media oComprehensive working of other communication media including audio visual
* oMembership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations oPostgraduate qualification in Public Relations oPublic health issues and structures oWelsh public sector oWelsh media oWelsh government and political structures
Experience
* oMedia relations oPlanning and implementing campaigns
* oWork in marketing oEmployment in a public health or health service environment oWork in a complex environment with many stakeholders oSocial marketing experience
Skills and Attributes
* oExcellent written, oral and aural communication skills, including use of spelling and grammar oExcellent skills for working with and influencing all types of media oExcellent and well developed influencing and negotiation skills oAbility to assimilate complex information from multiple sources and to apply personal knowledge to develop creative solutions to complex and challenging problems oAbility to deliver information, sometimes highly complex, using a variety of presentation tools to a range of different audiences, some of whom may be challenging, at all levels in the organisation in a manner that can be understood by staff at all levels oAbility to convey complex information in a way which is non-confrontational, shows empathy, tact, sensitivity and understanding to a variety of very different perspectives oAbility to work across organisational boundaries and within different environment oAbility to build confidence quickly from staff and senior managers in different agencies oAbility to inspire confidence in others including senior managers and clinicians. Ability to meet tight and rigid deadlines. Ability to work on multiple tasks. Ability to stay calm in a crisis. Ability to think quickly and clearly when faced with unexpected and complex challenges requiring an immediate response. Ability to respond rationally to emotional, highly charged and unwelcome situations. Ability to work on own initiative. Commitment to continuing professional development
* oWelsh language speaking and writing skills are desirable
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.
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