Communications Assistant

at  Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for someone whose passion for communications is matched by their ability to be well organised and resourceful to join Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s Communications team.
As Communications Assistant you will play an important role in supporting the delivery of the Trust’s new Communications Strategy. Alongside being the first point of contact for the team, you will help to ensure its administrative tasks and processes are delivered efficiently.
As well as producing internal and external communications activities, such as the weekly staff bulletin, duties will include handing the team’s email inbox, maintaining databases, handling media enquiries and providing the administrative function for Trust/team meetings and events; e.g. staff awards. In addition, you will support with the creation of digital and traditional communications and marketing content.
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s communications team is responsible for internal and external communications. The team manages a wide range of communications channels including the Trust’s website, intranet, mobile app and a variety of social media channels. In addition, the team are responsible for wider public affairs and media relation activity. Working closely with internal and external partners, the communications team work to promote the organisation and the services it provides to local communities.

As Communications Assistant, the post holder will work as part of a busy team in supporting with administrative tasks, and internal and external communications activities, in line with the Trust’s Communications Strategy. This will include:

• Production and distribution of the weekly staff bulletin
• Handling the team’s email inbox
• Maintaining photo library and contact databases
• Providing the administrative function for Trust/team meetings and events; e.g. staff awards
• Handling media enquiries, drafting press releases and responses, and maintaining an accurate record of enquiries
• Supporting with digital content generation; e.g. video, design for use in social media/marketing etc
• Contribute to graphic design, creation of marketing products and development of specialist communication products

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;
Supporting your career development and progression
Excellent NHS Pension scheme
Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
Options for flexible working
Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
Free car parking at all trust sites
Free flu vaccinations every year
Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Act as the first point of contact for the communications team via email, phone, MS Teams. Answer and deal with general enquires independently and draft correspondence. Handle media enquiries and sensitive issues as appropriate; liaising with colleagues when a strategic input/ sign off is required. Monitor press coverage as requested.
2. Arrange and co-ordinate meetings, events and campaigns in line with team/Trust priorities.
3. Produce communications for internal use, such as the weekly staff bulletin, case studies, presentations etc.
4. Produce communications documents for external audiences, including publications, presentations, press releases and other documents using appropriate IT systems and software.
5. Contribute to graphic design, creation of marketing products and development of specialist communication products.
6. Maintain stakeholder databases and video/photo libraries.
7. Publish information on the Trust intranet, public-facing website and social media channels as appropriate.
8. Monitor and manage office resources and stocks, including raising purchase orders.
9. Undertake evaluation as necessary for own work, and wider team’s work; e.g. evaluation of events.
10. To be familiar with and work within all MPFT/Inclusion policies.
11. Contribute to a positive working environment, focussing on high performance and delivery of results.
12. Work as part of the wider communications team to support and meet Trust priorities/objectives.
Systems and equipment
1. Competent using Microsoft software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams.
2. Equipment and training will be provided where highly specialist, such as graphic design/project management/social media etc.
3. Advanced keyboard use to produce publications, presentations and processing of appropriate communication documents
4. Experienced in using social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
5. Ability and desire to learn new skills, such as video content development/ production .
Decisions and judgements
1. The post holder will be required to work without direct supervision in relation to administrative processes, exercising discretion when responding to enquiries, prioritisation of own workload and using initiative to make suggestions for improvements to working practices.
2. Ability to deliver high quality communication support, including website and accessibility advice, and produce a broad range of content as required.
3. Ability to develop and embed quality control processes.
4. Ability to provide constructive feedback in relation to website content submissions.
Communication and relationships
1. The post holder will be required to communicate with staff, stakeholder, patients, service users, carers and visitors.
2. The post holder must be able to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing .
Physical demands of the job
1. The role is a desk-based job, requiring prolonged periods of sitting

• Production and distribution of the weekly staff bulletin
• Handling the team’s email inbox
• Maintaining photo library and contact databases
• Providing the administrative function for Trust/team meetings and events; e.g. staff awards
• Handling media enquiries, drafting press releases and responses, and maintaining an accurate record of enquiries
• Supporting with digital content generation; e.g. video, design for use in social media/marketing etc
• Contribute to graphic design, creation of marketing products and development of specialist communication product