Director of Communications. Ref: DC14/15. Candidate Brief

Transcription

1 Ref: DC14/15 Candidate Brief December 2015

2 Job Title: Reporting to: Salary: Location: Website: Director of Communications Chief Executive (Nigel Edwards) Competitive package London Background The Nuffield Trust is an independent health charity. We aim to improve the quality of health care in the UK by providing evidence-based research and policy analysis and informing and generating debate. Our Vision and Strategy We want to help achieve a high quality health and social care system that improves the health and care of people in the UK. We set out to do this by: improving the evidence base that leads to better care; undertaking rigorous applied research and policy analysis to improve policymaking and practice; bringing together policy-makers, NHS staff and others to develop solutions to the challenges facing the health and social care system. In autumn 2015 we published our new strategy: Improving UK healthcare, which sets out a new direction for the Nuffield Trust. It outlines how we will build on our reputation for being a leading centre of research and policy analysis by devoting more time and energy to helping NHS staff and policy-makers develop solutions to the challenges facing the NHS. We want to work with, and support, those leading change during this critical period facing the health and care system. The Role: in summary This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performing communications team at one of the UK s most established and influential health think tanks. It is an important leadership role within the Trust, and you will act as a senior leader working to build and maintain the profile of the Trust externally. We are regarded as an important and authoritative expert, which means that our research and analysis is high-profile and much in demand from politicians, civil servants, the media and other key opinion formers. You will be at the heart of communicating our work to these audiences, overseeing the work of a dynamic team and working closely with our researchers, senior management and Trustees. You will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of our communications strategy, ensuring our activities contribute to the strategic goals of the Trust. You will also play a leading role in co-ordinating our policy responsive activities, ensuring that we are plugged in to the latest policy developments and providing an authoritative voice to policy-makers, stakeholders and the media. 2

3 Key Accountabilities Lead, motivate, support and develop the communications team at the Trust, which is made up of professionals in media relations and public affairs, digital communications, marketing, publishing and events management. Line management responsibilities for five staff, who in turn have line management responsibilities as part of a larger team. As a Director and key member of the Senior Management Team, help to strategically lead the Trust and play a lead role in developing, shaping and delivering our strategy. Provide communications expertise and counsel to the directors, Board of Trustees and internal staff to help them achieve high impact for their work and mitigate risks. Ensure our media relations, public affairs, digital, events and other communications activities are fit for purpose and support the delivery of the Trust s strategic goals. Position the Trust as a go to organisation for commentary and analysis on critical health care issues in key national print, broadcast, online and trade media, as well as with key policy-makers and stakeholders. [As part of this, co-ordinate our policy responsive activities, which includes overseeing the work of two policy analysts.] Oversee the planning and delivery of our reports, events and other outputs to ensure we have a high impact work programme throughout the annual cycle. Lead the Trust in the monitoring and measurement of the reach and impact of our research, policy analysis and other activities. Ensure the Trust has strong relationships in place with the communications directors and teams within the organisations that we partner with. Contribute, as a Director, to the delivery of the Trust s stakeholder management programme, representing the Trust externally. Over the next year, oversee a transformation of our digital activities through the delivery of a new website and the adoption of new digital forms of publishing. Ensure we are regularly reviewing and researching the needs and preferences of our audiences so that we are providing them with appropriate outputs, while ensuring intelligence on our contacts is captured in our Salesforce database. Develop relationships with corporate and other partners in order to generate sponsorship income, mainly for our events programme. Oversee internal communications activities to ensure our staff are kept abreast of external policy developments and our own activities. Take responsibility for the communication team s budget and information and project management systems, ensuring our work is organised, efficient and cost effective. 3

4 Adhere to the Trust s personnel policies, including those related to equal opportunities, sickness and absence, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and smoking. Person Specification Experience: essential Experience of leading a communications department (or at least operating at a very senior level within such a department) in a high-profile national organisation engaged in public policy (ideally within the health sector). Experience and expertise in leading, managing and motivating staff, as well as more generally building high performing teams. Demonstrable success in devising, implementing and evaluating strategic communications plans. Experience: highly desirable Experience in delivering large-scale communications projects. Experience of providing communications expertise and counsel to directors and nonexecutive directors. Experience of working as a member of a wider senior management team leading an organisation. A track record in developing partnerships with corporate organisations and other partners in order to generate sponsorship income. Knowledge and Skills A strong interest and knowledge of public policy, and ideally able to demonstrate an understanding of health policy. Good knowledge of the workings of Parliament and the development of legislation and policy more generally. Track record in delivering high quality communications, particularly in a policy/researchrelated environment. Knowledge and expertise in the full range of communications disciplines, including media relations and public affairs; digital communications and social media; corporate communications (including publishing, marketing and branding); events management; and internal communications. Strong news sense and knowledge of UK national print, broadcast, online and, ideally, health trade media. Highly confident networking skills and well developed contacts across key stakeholder bodies and the media. Ability to act on initiative, to work under pressure and exercise judgment, as well as being able to work to tight deadlines and to prioritise a heavy workload. Ability to absorb, analyse and impart information quickly, with excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to lead and motivate a team of professionals, ensuring each is both challenged and supported to develop to the best of their abilities by providing ongoing opportunities to enhance their skills, knowledge and experience. 4

5 IT literacy: knowledge of Word and Excel are essential, as well as knowledge of working with CRM databases. Personal Qualities Ability to work well independently, and to contribute well as part of a lead a successful team. Ability to solve problems and propose practical solutions when faced with difficulties. Ability to work systematically on a number of tasks and then deliver to deadline. Strong interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, and remaining calm under pressure. A commitment to equal opportunities. A team player who above all sets a positive tone for the team and works positively and constructively with colleagues at all levels within organisations, as well as externally. Qualifications Educated to degree level minimum; with a Masters degree desirable but not essential. A professional qualification in a communications-related discipline is highly desirable. This job description covers the major tasks to be carried out with the level of responsibility which the post holder will work and may be revised and changed from time to time. Health and Safety Employees of the Trust are required to be aware of, and observe fully, the employee duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act and to observe all Nuffield Trust policies related to health and safety and risk management. Data Protection Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of this post. Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1984 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the Nuffield Trust which might include dismissal. 5

6 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT, BENEFITS AND APPLICATION PROCESS Terms of Appointment This is a permanent appointment based in London, available on a full-time basis. For this position the Trust is offering a competitive package. The offer of employment will be subject to receipt of two satisfactory references and evidence of right to work in the UK. Benefits Employees of the Nuffield Trust are invited to participate in a defined contribution pension scheme on completion of a satisfactory period of probation. Employees are required to contribute a minimum of 4 per cent of their salary and the Nuffield Trust contributes 14 per cent. Death in service and incapacity insurance is also provided by the Nuffield Trust. Annual leave is 28 days per year (pro rata for part-time positions), three days of which must be taken between Christmas and New Year when the office is closed. This rises to 30 days per year (pro rata for part-time positions) on completion of five years service. A range of other benefits are available, including subsidized gym membership and interest free travel loan. The Trust encourages personal development and training for all its employees and a personal development programme will be established for the successful candidate. Application and selection process Candidates wishing to apply should submit a detailed CV, including details of current salary and benefits, and a covering letter to: recruitment@nuffieldtrust.org.uk Telephone number (enquiries): Deborah Graves The closing date for applications is 5pm on 15 January Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in central London at a date to be confirmed, but this is likely to be in late January or early February