The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC), a learned society, is a charity and company limited by guarantee and registered in the UK. ISAC is a federation of Member Societies and delivers education via a number of different modalities including an in-person congress, peer reviewed journals and an online academy. Further information may be found at https://www.isac.world
Over recent months, ISAC carried out a strategy review and is now progressing priority strategic objectives. As a result, an opportunity has arisen for a Communications Officer to advance a number of priorities under a general “communication” heading.
The Communications Officer will initially be employed part time (0.6 FTE) on a temporary basis (12 months). They will be line managed by the ISAC CEO and must be able to work within a pre-existing team. Principle duties and responsibilities will be to assist the Trustees and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the areas of Member Society and Industry engagement. Additional duties will include helping to develop SOPs to operationalise ISAC’s Communication Strategy, populate ISAC’s social media accounts, contribute to the redesign of ISAC’s website and provide cover for the CEO and Executive Officer, as required.
Salary: Will depend on qualifications and experience.
Enquiries should be directed to Dr Fiona MacKenzie, CEO.
Application for the role should be made by sending a cover letter and CV to by 30 June 2026.
Outline Job Description
The ISAC Communications Officer will project manage the following areas of activity under the supervision of the CEO and in liaison with the Executive Officer.
1.1 Member Societies
The Communications Officer will:
1.1.1 Work with ISAC’s Member Society Engagement Group which is a sub group of the society’s Executive Committee, to realise their strategic objectives.
1.1.2 Make contact with each of the Society’s Member Societies (currently 107).
1.1.3 Undertake research if contact details are out of date to make the initial contact.
1.1.4 Open a dialogue with the Member Societies.
1.1.5 Request updated contact details and society information as required.
1.1.6 Produce a paper summarising the different areas of activity undertaken by ISAC’s Member Societies.
1.1.7 At the request of the CEO, send the Member Societies regular newsletters and updates about the Society and the benefits of membership.
1.1.8 Create a template for the member societies to complete as details change.
1.1.9 Diarise AGMs or key annual / biennial meetings for when member society key personnel may change and proactively request updated information as these take place.
1.1.10 Undertake a membership survey, if required.
1.1.11 Engage with membership through online media (social media, websites, online journal).
1.1.12 Take overall responsibility for Member Societies under the guidance and supervision of the CEO.
1.2 Liaison with Commercial Companies
The Communications Officer will:
1.2.1 Work with ISAC’s Industry Liaison Group which is a sub group of the society’s Executive Committee, to realise their strategic objectives.
1.2.2 Update the details in ISAC’s industry database.
1.2.3 Identify commercial companies (pharmaceutical / diagnostic) to add to ISAC’s industry database.
1.2.4 Aid ISAC’s Industry Liaison Group to complete an industry review and produce a strategy document to identify opportunities to increase commercial support for both the Society itself (if required) and for the biennial International Conference of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICC).
1.2.5 Identify key prospects.
1.2.6 Develop tailored approaches to these companies.
1.2.7 Make these approaches.
1.2.8 Facilitate discussions and negotiations as they develop.
1.2.9 Maintain the relationship and engagement with corporate partners and other supporters.
1.2.10 Fulfil contracts and ensure appropriate representation at the ICC and other meetings.
1.2.11 Ensure corporate partner programme and sponsorship and exhibition offerings at the ICC and other meetings are complementary.
1.3 Communication
The Communications Officer will:
1.3.1 Establish an internal communication / reporting structure and plan with the CEO during the handover phase.
1.3.2 Produce an external communications plan for the Society to include all aspects of communication if required to include a strategy (24 month cycle) for the newsletter.
1.3.3 Produce and maintain a database of E-mail addresses and ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
1.3.4 Design, construct and disseminate a regular newsletter under the guidance of the CEO.
1.3.5 Take overall responsibility for communication under the guidance and supervision of the CEO.
1.4 Website
The Communications Officer will:
1.4.1 Provide recommendations on redesign and usability of ISAC’s current website.
1.4.2 Be responsible for updating the design and content under the guidance and supervision of the CEO / Executive Officer.
1.4.3 Work with the CEO / Executive Officer to establish requirements and access.
1.4.4 Act as the Society’s webmaster to update content as requested.
1.4.5 Proactively update the content on Member Societies, Scientific and Educational Meetings and Archives.
Prerequisites and qualifications:
- Education to degree level.
- Previous experience in a communications role is essential.
- Previous experience working in international organisations is an advantage.
- Previous experience working with a professional society or with pharmaceutical / diagnostic companies is an advantage.
- Must have excellent communications skills (communicating in English in a professional, business style).
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with people from different nationalities, disciplines and backgrounds.
- Ability to grasp new tasks and adapt to new challenges quickly.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams), content management systems, social media.
- Team player, but also able to work autonomously.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Must be able to work from home or a pre-existing office as ISAC does not have office premises.
- Ability to travel to meetings (including to CEO’s base in Aberdeen UK).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The chosen candidate will ideally be based in Hertfordshire, and any travel expenses from within the county will be covered.
This is a fixed-term contract for 9 months, with a possible 3 month extension.
About Us
Healthwatch Hertfordshire are an independent champion for people who use health and social care services. Being a values-driven organisation with a national reputation for our research and engagement work, we are here to find out what matters to local people and help ensure their views shape the support they need.
Our purpose is to help make care better for people by improving how services are run now and in the future. We have an ambitious vision to ensure that health and social care work for everyone.
The Role:
We are looking for someone who enjoys talking to people, listening to their experiences, and turning those conversations into meaningful change.
You will gather evidence from Hertfordshire residents about their experiences of health and social care services, analyse the findings, and produce clear insight driven reports that drive service improvement through insightful recommendations, and partnership with decision makers.
The broader health and social care landscape is actively changing around us, and we need someone who can work flexibly, respond to changing needs, and stay confident and calm during change – making sure our values and duties to the public are successfully delivered.
Responsibilities
- Building relationships with local residents, including those from underserved and marginalised communities
- Running focus groups, surveys, and engagement events
- Engaging with senior stakeholders (internally, NHS, county council, voluntary sector)
- Managing research and engagement projects from start to finish
- Writing clear, practical reports and insights
- Presenting findings and recommendations
Essential Criteria
- You live in or near Hertfordshire and can travel regularly across the county
- You are confident and experienced communicating with the public, diverse communities, and senior leaders
- You have experience designing and delivering research questions, running focus groups, and crafting and analysing survey data
- You can write clear, engaging reports for health and care decision makers and the broader public, drawing recommendations from the insights
Skills and Experience
- Ability to scope, design, organise, deliver, and analyse insight from focus groups and online surveys
- Experience of engaging directly with members of the public to gather insights
- Talking to people from a wide range of communities
- Good organisation and project management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to work collaboratively and in a flexible and agile way
If you do not meet the entire criteria but believe you have preferential experience and transferable skills, we welcome you to apply.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and a tailored covering letter to Louis Eastwell of Hire Purpose, before 23:59 on Sunday 31st May 2026.
You are welcome to initially submit a CV prior to completing a covering letter.
Louis is exclusively managing this recruitment campaign and will be speaking with all longlisted candidates prior to a formal interview with Healthwatch Hertfordshire.
Application Guidance:
A tailored covering letter highlighting how you meet the essential requirements of the role, outlining your relevant experience, skills, attributes, and your motivation for applying and supporting Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s mission.
Hire Purpose champions inclusive recruitment.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We uphold equal opportunity principles and challenge bias at every stage, partnering only with organisations that share our commitment to integrity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Hire Purpose is also proudly a B Corp certified business that has met B Lab UK’s high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Please submit your CV and a tailored covering letter to Louis Eastwell of Hire Purpose, before 23:59 on Sunday 31st May 2026.
You are welcome to initially submit a CV prior to completing a covering letter.
Louis is exclusively managing this recruitment campaign and will be speaking with all longlisted candidates prior to a formal interview with Healthwatch Hertfordshire.