Senior PR and Communications Officer

The Talent Set are delighted to be working with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to find their next Senior PR and Communications Officer. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. They offer patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust offers a hybrid working pattern, with an expectation of working from their Chelsea office 2 days per week, and travel to Sutton as required.

Reporting into the PR and Communications Manager, this role will include developing and implementing the Trust’s public relations and external and internal communications strategies. To deliver both a proactive and reactive plan to raise the profile and understanding of the work of the Trust, enhance its reputation and promote awareness of its aims and achievements in ways which are appropriate for the different audiences (including patients, families, staff, supporters, governors and members and others within the wider NHS, the public).

Key Responsibilities:

·       Provide a comprehensive media service, particularly around the proactive sell-in of a positive news agenda from The Royal Marsden, including thought leadership pieces and focus on the areas in which the organisation lead.

·       Work across all areas of The Royal Marsden, including The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Private Care, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, The Royal Marsden School and The Royal Marsden Community Services to identify communications opportunities and respond to queries.

·       Identify and exploit opportunities to promote The Royal Marsden’s ‘thought leadership’ agenda working with the Science Media Centre as appropriate, in order to enhance the Trust presence in the media as a key voice of authority on oncology and also driving a positive public image.

·       As part of the PR and Communications Team, carry out interviews and develop content for RM, Private Care, Advance and Progress magazines, liaising with senior clinical colleagues, and case studies.

·       Promote The Royal Marsden Private Care to the media, patients, referrers and an international audience, in collaboration with the Private Care Marketing Manager and the Private Care team, to demonstrate the positive relationship between the NHS and Private Care at The Royal Marsden.

·       Help co-ordinate VIP visits to the Trust, where there is media interest in the event, in liaison with senior management, clinical and ward staff.

·       Work with the Trust’s Digital Team including the Digital Manager and Social Media Manager to maximise the use of the website and social media channels to promote The Royal Marsden as a thought leader and voice of authority.

Person Specification:

·       Multiple years’ PR and communications experience –former substantial employment with an NHS/charity/or blue-chip company Editorial and journalism exposure.

·       Internal communications experience with both in-house and community-based staff groups.

·       Proven track record for delivering strategic PR and communications plans to enhance the reputation of the organisation.

·       Experience of working across multi-disciplinary teams encompassing all PR and Communications channels-social media, traditional media, internal communications.

·       Excellent communications skills both verbal and written – including editing, proofing, copy writing and interview techniques.

·       Experience pitching research stories to national and industry media outlets and managing corresponding expressions of interest.

·       Experience of managing stakeholders both within and outside an organisation, of all levels.

·       Able to juggle multiple priorities and be cool and calm under pressure – ideally with first- hand experience of crisis management.

To be considered for this position please apply with your CV as soon as possible, regrettably please note we may not be able to reply to each and every application.

We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.