Job overview
Reporting to the Interim Head of Fundraising & Communications, the Communications Manager will provide specialist support across the charity and its partners, ensuring work is managed and planned effectively, evaluated and reported on. The post holder will also take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate data is available, analysed and presented to support decision making.
The post holder will work to design, deliver, monitor and evaluate a multi-disciplinary communications programme that will promote the work of the charity, ensuring all performance targets and Standard Operating Procedures are adhered to.
The post holder will be responsible for managing the communications and marketing of high profile events, such as the Goodwood Ball and the Brighton Pavilion Ice Skate, as well as provide project management expertise and support across the charity to support the organisation’s objectives, including maintenance of the charity website, publication of the annual report and accounts and the annual impact report.
Main duties of the job
·Providing senior, strategic communications support for a range of strategic fundraising (grant management and voluntary services initiatives) within the charity, creating content for specific fundraising constituencies through a range of media.
·Use suitable social media, website metrics and other analysis tools to measure communications and engagement activity and produce reports to evaluate effectiveness.
·Recommending improvements and innovations to widen the reach and effectiveness of our communications.
·Manage the organisation of media interviews, filming/photo opportunities and press conferences in support of the agreed charity plan.
·Develop materials, templates and facilitate best practice project management to enable the Charity and Voluntary Services team to meet its responsibilities.
·Present complex, sensitive or contentious information to key internal and external audiences in order to support our objectives.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
·Providing senior, strategic communications support for a range of strategic fundraising (grant management and voluntary services initiatives) within the charity, creating content for specific fundraising constituencies through a range of media.
·Use suitable social media, website metrics and other analysis tools to measure communications and engagement activity and produce reports to evaluate effectiveness.
·Recommending improvements and innovations to widen the reach and effectiveness of our communications.
·Manage the organisation of media interviews, filming/photo opportunities and press conferences in support of the agreed charity plan.
·Develop materials, templates and facilitate best practice project management to enable the Charity and Voluntary Services team to meet its responsibilities.
·Present complex, sensitive or contentious information to key internal and external audiences in order to support our objectives.
Service Delivery and Improvement
·Take responsibility for the design, development, monitoring and evaluation of the charity’s strategic and operational plan.
·Manage communication projects that support the charity, Voluntary Services and charity partners’ work programmes.
·Responsible for the charity’s support to health and wellbeing, staff development and progression through supporting delivery of the Patient First STARS Awards, the annual Volunteering Conference and other evolutions as required and appropriate. Working with colleagues across the team to analyse and understand sensitive, complex or controversial information and determine communications objectives and how best to use different communications channels in order to meet identified objectives.
·Work to provide ready and available support to the Chair and members of the Charitable Funds Committee, to develop the communications strategy, providing expert and specialist advice and support.
·Use analytical skills to collate raw communications data to support the analysis and impact of the charity’s communications programme, allowing for redress and adjustment as required.
·Use own judgement to decide how to meet agreed objectives, which are reviewed at agreed intervals.
·Develop key performance indicators to enable monitoring of the team’s success in contributing to achievement of the charity’s strategic ambitions.
·Develop the use of metrics and qualitative reports on charity communications activities to measure their impact on success and inform future activities in contributing to achievement of the charity’s strategic ambitions.
·Research and recommend innovative new approaches and technologies to develop the charity.
·Support the Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee and the Director of Charities & Voluntary Services, to agree standard work across the team including for internal communications, crisis management, pro and reactive media management and general enquires into the team.
·Maintain procedures, standards and policies around events and VIP visits and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately.
People Management and Development
·Line manage the Communications Officer.
·Ability to manage change through motivation and leadership.
·Knowledge and skills of human resources, and the ability to act sensitively and effectively.
·Capable of handling and diffusing complaints.
·Coach and develop staff.
·Build and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, represent the charity in accordance with our values.
·Present complex and sensitive information to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
·Share knowledge and expertise across the team and Trust.
·Comply with Trust-wide staff management policies and procedures.
·Ensure staff have annual appraisals and Personal Development Plans.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
1. Degree qualification or equivalent with knowledge acquired by experience and substantial programmes of knowledge development to postgraduate level
2. Masters qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience
3. Specialist communication qualification in a non-profit setting or equivalent experience or knowledge
4. Proven experience of Communications in a non profit/NHS setting.
5. Good communication skills to enable effective communication of highly complex and sensitive to different audiences
Desirable criteria
6. Completion of project management skills course, e.g. PRINCE2
7. Up to date knowledge of NHS policy and developments
8. Experience in the NHS, public or private and charity and/or voluntary sectors
9. Proven evidence of evaluating and enhancing corporate publications and programmes, e.g. the charity’s annual report, charity’s impact report, web presence and digital media footprint
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
10. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
11. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications