Job summary
Employer heading
Research Communications Manager
Band 6
Job overview
Working across the Biomedical Research Campus, the post holder will provide dedicated communications support to the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the trust R&D department, highlighting and promoting health and translational research taking place under the auspices of the BRC and CUH R&D.
The purpose of the role is to ensure the high-quality marketing, communications and reporting of key information across campus, including editing and the production of newsletters, reports, information leaflets, web pages and other communications.
The post holder is responsible for introducing, adapting and improving communications systems regarding research on campus, and for reporting communications and research outputs to NIHR and other key funders and stakeholders.
Main duties of the job
- Responsible for the day to day implementation of marketing and communications strategies across the Biomedical Research Centre (web, print, advertising, promotional materials etc)
- Develop and maintain NIHR Cambridge BRC website and other related web assets, coordinating both design and content
- Develop and maintain marketing and communications strategies for research content, and review regularly the publications and web-presence of other relevant organisations
- Keep up to date with changes and requirements of key funding bodies and stakeholders, such as the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) and NHS
- Liaise with NIHR national communications teams and be responsible for reporting relevant outputs to the central team
- Co-ordinate the design, content and production of core research publications, for example newsletters, information leaflets, web pages, annual reports, strategic plans etc across campus
- Be the first point of contact on campus for all stakeholders considering producing their own research-related materials, and managing this process to ensure consistency of brand, image and messages in publication
- Meet regularly with BRC theme leads and researchers to proactively identify content and stories for our channels
- Develop a strong working relationship with other relevant comms teams, including the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals and other NIHR infrastructure locally, regionally and nationally
Working for our organisation
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can only apply for this post as a secondment and must have the approval of your current line manager before applying.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 24th November 2024
Interviews are due to be held on 29th November 2024
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent level of skills or experience plus training and/or experience in the communications field to degree-level equivalent.
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
- Either an under-graduate or post-graduate qualification in journalism, marketing, public relations or related field.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing or Public Relations.
- Science degree.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of managing research communications in a large, complex organisation.
- Experience of turning complex research projects into accessible and compelling language for mass public audiences.
- Experience in identifying good media stories, specifically for TV, print and radio.
- Experience of working with websites, including adding and maintaining material and content
- Experience managing social media channels, including content development and responding to messages
- Dealing with a variety of professionals and staff at all levels.
- Evidence of successful communication strategy, development and implementation.
- Practical experience in using different approaches to communications across all mediums.
- Experience of building strong positive working relationships with stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with the media.
- Experience in measuring and evaluating communications and designing channels that target audiences precisely.
- Experience of working with major UK research funding bodies, such as the NIHR, Wellcome Trust
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Genuine interest in science and research
- Knowledge of how and where research papers are published and how to deliver supporting media stories.
- Understanding of how to identify and target specific audience groups.
- Knowledge of the media and how it operates as well as the law in relation to media
- Knowledge of editorial guidelines, content creation and channel management in comms practice
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of science journalists in the UK and beyond
- Knowledge of key research funders and practices
- Knowledge of NIHR Infrastructure, including BRCs, CRFs, BioResource etc
- Understanding of how research stories may unfold locally and with key stakeholders and media
Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
- Ability to deal with large amounts of scientific information and accurately distil it into easily digestible pieces of communication
- Political skills and knowledge of public sector issues, including those surrounding research, the NIHR and the NHS.
- Able to understand our key audiences, including the NIHR, and how to tailor our messages and outputs to reflect their needs
- Able to persuade and influence senior scientists to communicate their work in an impactful and effective way.
- Ability to represent the BRC and reflect its aims and objectives, speaking publicly on its behalf.
- Able to plan complex multi-stakeholder communications projects and monitor their successful delivery with a high degree of attention to detail.
- Flexibility in handling a wide range of projects, managed to tight deadlines.
- Able to cope and function effectively when working in a demanding environment.
- Ability to act with tact and diplomacy at all times
- Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Amanda Stranks
- Job title
- PPIE and Communications Strategy Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
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