JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Media Relations Manager
Reports to:
Head of Integrated Communications
Location:
London
Date Prepared:
March 2015
PURPOSE
The Media Relations Manager will provide effective leadership and line management
support for the media relations team, and develop and deliver effective media
strategies for the NHS Confederation group and its constituent parts.
NATURE & SCOPE
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Provide effective leadership and management for the media relations team.
Develop and deliver and high quality media strategies.
Develop clear and consistent messages for external audiences that ensure the
NHS Confederation can provide a strong voice for the NHS on issues of shared
concern.
Play a key role identifying differing views across the NHS Confederation, NHS
Employers and the networks and developing distinct voices for each of them.
Provide advice for colleagues on media issues on a day to day basis when
needed.
Attend the forward planning group to identify media issues in advance so they
can be actively managed.
With the Assistant Director of External Affairs and Head of Integrated
Communications oversee the handling of media issues on a day-to-day basis:
handling lower risk issues, and identifying and flagging up higher risk issues to
them for active support.
Oversee the organisation of press conferences when needed.
Ensure that new and emerging issues and risks are identified at an early stage
and devise appropriate handling strategies
Take part in an on-call media rota to provide a 24/7 press office service.
Key Relationships:
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Chair and directors of the NHS Confederation and NHS Employers
Network directors
Head of Integrated Communications (line manager)
Assistant Director – External Affairs
Director – External Affairs
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Senior public affairs manager
Corporate communications manager
Senior contacts in a broad range of media organisations
Press officers in a broad range of stakeholder organisations
STRUCTURE
To follow
ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Media Relations Manager will:
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Provide effective leadership and line management for the media relations
team.
Ensure we have agreed media strategies leading to a high profile and positive
reputation.
Provide regular advice on media issues for various part of the NHS
Confederation.
Ensure arrangements are agreed for day-to-day account management for
NHS Employers and each of the Networks.
Ensure an effective, proactive and reactive presence in specialist and national
media and the maintenance of strong relationships with key journalists.
Ensure the NHS Confederation has agreed external facing lines on all major
issues by identifying different views across the networks and shaping the NHS
Confederation view on issues of shared concern.
Ensure NHS Employers has agreed external facing lines on all major
employers issues by working closely with the deputy director of
communications for NHS Employers.
Ensure new and emerging media issues and risks are identified and
appropriately handled with lines and strategies agreed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The jobholder will have strong experience in media relations. They will have an
interest in health and the public sector and good political awareness and judgement.
They will have strong written and oral communications skills, good news judgement
and the ability to develop effective working relationships
They will also be able to identify and handle complex issues and communicate
different points of view when appropriate. They will need to ensure professional
account management and delivery of services to NHS Employers and the networks.
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HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and Safety at Work Act
The jobholder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of
themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and to co-ordinate with
management in the promotion and maintenance of health and safety measures.”
SIGNATURES
Jobholder Name
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Signature
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Date
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Manager Name
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Signature
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Date
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Director Name
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Signature
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Date
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job title: Marketing officer
ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Experience
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Knowledge
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Skills
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A strong track record of developing and
delivering media strategies.
Experience of leading and managing a team
Experience of line managing individual staff
Experience of managing budgets
Strong knowledge of the NHS and wider health
and care system
Strong knowledge of national and specialist media
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
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Understanding of how to work in a
complex matrix-organisation
Understanding of employers issues
First class written and oral communications
Political awareness
Quick to interpret complex issues
Conflict resolution
Ability to work under pressure
Demonstrable personal impact, with strong
representational, influencing and negotiating
skills
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