Job summary

The main responsibilities of the post fall under the following key areas; Internal communications and engagement; External communications and stakeholder engagement; Media Relations;Social Media

Main duties of the job

• Working withtheHead of Contentandour team'sCommunications Managersto develophigh qualitycommunications contentto supportExcellent Care Everywhereas well meeting day-to-day communications requests from internal colleagues and external stakeholders, including the media.

• Workwith the digital teamdeveloping content for the trust website,intranetand other online communications platforms.

• Create content across a wide range of formats for all internaland externalcommunications including events and briefings

About us

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

This vacancy is advertised as a time-limited opportunity is expected to be undertaken on a secondment basis.Before applying, employees must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they may be released from their substantive role if successful. Release to undertake a secondment is not an automatic entitlement and must be agreed by all relevant parties: the employee, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-8282891-OCT26

Job locations

Worthing or Brighton

Research and Innovation Department

Worthing or Brighton

BN11 2DH

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Internal Communications and engagement:

Internal communications plays a key role in helping the approximately 20,000 staff feel connected with the organisation, receive important information and build a sense of community. The post holder will play an important role by:

Producing content for the trusts internal communications including weekly newsletter/emails, staff social media platforms and regular internal events.

Recommending improvements and innovations to widen the reach and effectiveness of our internal communications.

Providing communications supporting the Trust five-year strategy and ambitions, including the creation of content for a range of channels.

Being a part of the team which delivers the trusts annual STAR awards and Conference.

Create content for staff and stakeholder briefings as directed by the Head of Content.

External communications and stakeholder relations;

The CO will work to provide outstanding external communications by:

Planning and assisting with event organisation including media tours, VIP visits, and the launch/opening of new services/buildings.

Working with the HoC and team on the development and production of corporate publications, telling the UHSussex story in a lively, inclusive, informative and accessible way.

Developing materials in a range of formats for our website, intranet and social media channels.

Proactive media relations

Initiate and develop proactive media engagement, media plans and events and reporting on coverage.

Assist with media interviews, filming/photo opportunities and press conferences.

Service Delivery and Improvement

Adhere to procedures, standards and policies around events and VIP visits and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately

Work to develop strong relationships with all service divisions.

Demonstrate continual professional development and utilise new and innovative ideas to deliver the best support to the organisation within the communications and engagement function.

Support the development of innovative and engaging communications and consultation channels by coming up with new ideas and continually researching new and more effective ways of working.

Develop and keep under review a range of internal communications channels which promote two-way communication and engagement with colleagues.

Consistently horizon scan, model best practice and learn from success and failure to drive continuous improvement and innovation across all activities.

Develop and implement a robust audit based approach to internal communications, ensuring feedback and measures of success are evidenced and shared.

People Management and Development

To work independently within the parameters of Trust policy by interpreting such guidance accordingly. The post holder must be self-motivated and proven ability to work on own initiative; an innovative & creative thinker with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and planned work to a high specification.

Patient Care Delivery

Incidental contact with service users in clinical settings.

Support the involvement of service users in the development of communication material when appropriate.

Be able to provide basic media relations advice and support to the organisation and partners where appropriate, handling enquiries, drafting considered and appropriate responses.

Pay particular consideration to risk management and health and safety concerns at events, maintaining a thorough understanding of all relevant guidance and legislation and make any appropriate changes and/or recommendations as and when required.

Learning and Development

Attend mandatory training updates as required.

Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.

Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager

Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

Job description Job responsibilities Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants. If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application. Internal Communications and engagement: Internal communications plays a key role in helping the approximately 20,000 staff feel connected with the organisation, receive important information and build a sense of community. The post holder will play an important role by: Producing content for the trusts internal communications including weekly newsletter/emails, staff social media platforms and regular internal events. Recommending improvements and innovations to widen the reach and effectiveness of our internal communications. Providing communications supporting the Trust five-year strategy and ambitions, including the creation of content for a range of channels. Being a part of the team which delivers the trusts annual STAR awards and Conference. Create content for staff and stakeholder briefings as directed by the Head of Content. External communications and stakeholder relations; The CO will work to provide outstanding external communications by: Planning and assisting with event organisation including media tours, VIP visits, and the launch/opening of new services/buildings. Working with the HoC and team on the development and production of corporate publications, telling the UHSussex story in a lively, inclusive, informative and accessible way. Developing materials in a range of formats for our website, intranet and social media channels. Proactive media relations Initiate and develop proactive media engagement, media plans and events and reporting on coverage. Assist with media interviews, filming/photo opportunities and press conferences. Service Delivery and Improvement Adhere to procedures, standards and policies around events and VIP visits and ensure they are implemented consistently and appropriately Work to develop strong relationships with all service divisions. Demonstrate continual professional development and utilise new and innovative ideas to deliver the best support to the organisation within the communications and engagement function. Support the development of innovative and engaging communications and consultation channels by coming up with new ideas and continually researching new and more effective ways of working. Develop and keep under review a range of internal communications channels which promote two-way communication and engagement with colleagues. Consistently horizon scan, model best practice and learn from success and failure to drive continuous improvement and innovation across all activities. Develop and implement a robust audit based approach to internal communications, ensuring feedback and measures of success are evidenced and shared. People Management and Development To work independently within the parameters of Trust policy by interpreting such guidance accordingly. The post holder must be self-motivated and proven ability to work on own initiative; an innovative & creative thinker with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and planned work to a high specification. Patient Care Delivery Incidental contact with service users in clinical settings. Support the involvement of service users in the development of communication material when appropriate. Be able to provide basic media relations advice and support to the organisation and partners where appropriate, handling enquiries, drafting considered and appropriate responses. Pay particular consideration to risk management and health and safety concerns at events, maintaining a thorough understanding of all relevant guidance and legislation and make any appropriate changes and/or recommendations as and when required. Learning and Development Attend mandatory training updates as required. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• Degree or equivalent work experience
• Qualification or equivalent experience in journalism, media, communications, public relations or any other relevant subject area
• Experience of working in communications/PR.
• Experience of planning, creating and delivering proactive media to support an organisation's objectives
• Experience of writing, editing and producing internal / staff publications.
• Experience of staff communication activities.
• Knowledge of how social media is used in a professional capacity
• Ability to create effective content for a range of different audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proof reading and editing skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships especially with local journalists, senior managers and clinical staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to source strategic content through discussions and interviews with stakeholders, especially staff and patients.
• Receive and provide sensitive and/or complex information in different ways, appropriate to audience, overcoming barriers to understanding
• Extremely well organised and the ability to work to tight deadlines and juggle priorities.

Desirable

• Experience of event organisation.
• Project management experience
• Experience in communications or PR
• Media handling / press office.
• Strong diplomatic skills.
• Strong influencing and presentational skills.
• The ability to brief designers and printers.
• Have a thorough knowledge of content design, printing and production techniques.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Person Specification Essential Essential Degree or equivalent work experience Qualification or equivalent experience in journalism, media, communications, public relations or any other relevant subject area Experience of working in communications/PR. Experience of planning, creating and delivering proactive media to support an organisation's objectives Experience of writing, editing and producing internal / staff publications. Experience of staff communication activities. Knowledge of how social media is used in a professional capacity Ability to create effective content for a range of different audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proof reading and editing skills. Ability to build effective relationships especially with local journalists, senior managers and clinical staff. Excellent interpersonal skills to source strategic content through discussions and interviews with stakeholders, especially staff and patients. Receive and provide sensitive and/or complex information in different ways, appropriate to audience, overcoming barriers to understanding Extremely well organised and the ability to work to tight deadlines and juggle priorities. Desirable Experience of event organisation. Project management experience Experience in communications or PR Media handling / press office. Strong diplomatic skills. Strong influencing and presentational skills. The ability to brief designers and printers. Have a thorough knowledge of content design, printing and production techniques. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing or Brighton

Research and Innovation Department

Worthing or Brighton

BN11 2DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing or Brighton

Research and Innovation Department

Worthing or Brighton

BN11 2DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)