Senior Communications Manager

Location: London, (hybrid with commitment of 1 -2 days per week/fortnight in the office)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: £50 - £55K+ (dependant on experience)

Job purpose

To lead and provide line management for an integrated public relations team, consisting of a Policy Adviser, Press Adviser and Social Media Strategy Adviser.

To devise and execute a fully integrated public relations strategy for the MDU, via an annual Public Relations Plan (PRP), to support the delivery of the MDU Group’s strategic objectives and gain maximum exposure and maximum impact for our advocacy work.

Key accountabilities 

• Ensure the delivery of a first-class external communications/public relations function at the MDU, where our communications work and campaigning activity is fully integrated across all communications mediums.
• At the direction of the Head of Communications, support the Policy, Press and Social Media Strategy Adviser to develop individual and joint activity plans – to contribute to an overall Public Relations Plan (PRP) for the year.
• Provide trusted advice and counsel to colleagues across the directorate, as well as the SLT and Executive on all public relations matters.
• Ensure we secure a high positive profile for the MDU and DDU in the medical, dental and national press in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
• Take overall responsibility for monitoring opportunities for the MDU Group across media/social media/ stakeholder/political channels, as well as reputational threats – and escalate those accordingly to the Head of Communications and/or the Director of Policy & Communications.
• Produce high quality written copy, as well as allocating tasks within the team: policy positions, press release and social media posts.
• Continuously look for ways to innovate, and working with the Head of Communications, explore new opportunities for the MDU/DDU to promote itself.
• Build a robust network of contacts at external stakeholder organisations, ensuring the MDU/DDU is best placed to collaborate with partners and gain valuable marketing intelligence.
• To develop and manage relationships with key journalists and other media contacts, including the press officers from external organisations and opinion formers.
• Working with the Press Adviser and Head of Communications, ensure systems and training are in place to so all colleagues in the department are able to provide advice and support to members in relation to the press/social media, should they require it.
• With the agreement of the Head of Communications, take responsibility and provide delegated final sign off for policy, press and social media posts.
• To manage the public relations element of the Communications department budget.
• Advise colleagues on how to handle the media and briefing them prior to media interviews.
• As part of the Communications department, be on-hand to provide press/social media advice to members who may require assistance: in conjunction with agreed policies, in consultation with the Head of Comms and the relevant Professional Services colleagues.
• Undertake such other tasks as may be delegated by the Communications department leadership team.

Experience, knowledge, skills and qualifications

The post holder should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and have at least five years PR experience, preferably in the healthcare/insurance market.S/he should have demonstrable experience in developing and implementing a PR strategy and managing a multi-disciplinary, integrated communications team.

This post holder should be pragmatic, someone who is calm under fire and able to quickly react to events. They should be innovative – constantly looking for new opportunities. Above all, the post holder should be someone the impeccable influencing skills, able to build and secure internal and external networks to deliver the MDU’s strategic objectives.

You may also have experience in the following: PR Officer, Public Relations, Media Relations, PR Specialist, Corporate Communications, Marketing Communications, Marcomms, Marcoms, Press Relations, Communications Executive, Copywriting, Communications Officer, Senior Communications Officer, Communications Manager etc.

REF- 220 823