University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Communications Officer
The closing date is 31 July 2026
As Communications Officer for the NIHR South West Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SWC RRDN), you will support the provision of a high quality, professional and proactive communications service to the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) regionally and nationally. The role will support the delivery of a corporate communication strategy and associated communication activities, engagement events and marketing initiatives to enable the RDN to showcase impact and deliver on its strategic objectives.
Our team currently works in a hybrid way, with at least 40% of time face‑to‑face. As this role will be responsible for the delivery of regional communications and events, you must be willing to be on site at a variety of locations across our regional geography.
Interviews for this role will be held face‑to‑face in our Whitefriars office in Bristol.
Main duties of the job
* Organise and manage communication campaigns, including national initiatives such as Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research.
* Support planning and organisation of engagement events regionally and nationally.
* Enhance the strategic development of the RDN through all forms of media and appropriate channels, both traditional and digital, including social media.
* Provide communications, marketing and media handling advice for managers, staff and committees.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, with a workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. Rated ‘Good’ overall by the CQC, UHBW is a forward‑thinking, multi‑award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care. UHBW is also an equal opportunities employer dedicated to building a diverse workforce that reflects the local population and designing its services around patient needs.
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
* Relevant experience in public relations, communications, marketing and/or journalism at postgraduate level or demonstrable experience, including social/web‑based media.
* Ability to work autonomously and to exercise initiative, with creativity, drive and flexibility.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Proficiency in preparing communication materials such as website copy and newsletter articles, and in their distribution.
* Degree level education and/or equivalent qualification or relevant experience (e.g., Health, Media/Journalism/Web publishing).
* Resilience and calm under pressure.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
* Relevant experience in public relations, communications, marketing and/or journalism at postgraduate level or demonstrable experience, including social/web‑based media.
* Demonstrable experience in a large, complex organisation.
* Experience of inter‑agency working involving multiple and diverse partners.
* Proven experience of working successfully as part of several teams.
* Experience of managing a customer‑focused service.
* Experience of managing a wide range of complex duties.
* Experience of working at a similar level in the NHS or other healthcare environment.
* Good understanding of the health and care research environment.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to work autonomously and to exercise initiative, with creativity, drive and flexibility.
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Proficiency in preparing communication materials such as website copy and newsletter articles, and in their distribution.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Ability to operate at all levels throughout an organisation.
* Ability to write concise and clear reports and to write Standard Operating Procedures.
* Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to a high standard.
* Ability to plan, manage and deliver projects and activities, involving multiple agencies and individuals and to tight deadlines.
* Ability to communicate complex information to a range of audiences at all levels within the organisation and externally.
* Excellent IT literacy including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or equivalent Google applications and relevant design packages such as Adobe InDesign, CANVA.
* Ability to manage challenging and stressful situations.
* Strong problem‑solving skills.
* Staff training skills.
Qualifications and Education
* Degree level education and/or equivalent qualification or relevant experience (e.g., Health, Media/Journalism/Web publishing).
* Background in research and development, science or healthcare.
* European Computer Driving Licence.
* Resilience and calm under pressure.
* Understanding of change and adaptability.
* Politically aware.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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