Job Advert
Senior Communications Officer
This post is a 12-month Fixed Term contract / Secondment opportunity
About the Organisation:
Public Health Scotland launched on 1st April 2020 as a national health board, employing around 1200 people, with an annual budget of around £101 million. Public Health Scotland wants to see a Scotland where everybody thrives, a Scotland where life expectancy improves and the difference in life expectancy between our poorest and wealthiest areas gets smaller.
The Post:
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Communications Officer to join the Communications and Marketing team within Public Health Scotland to cover a vacancy due to maternity leave.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing and implementing strategic communication plans to support public health initiatives and campaigns.
- Crafting clear, compelling and accurate content and assets for various communications outputs including news releases, web statements, newsletters and social media.
- Managing media relations, including responding to media enquiries, developing media lines and briefings and preparing spokespeople. This will also involve handling media enquiries out-of-hours as we operate a 24/7 media service.
- Liaising with a variety of internal and external stakeholders (such as SG, NHS 24, COSLA, health boards and third sector partners) at all levels to develop communication strategies and plans to raise awareness and understanding of the work of PHS.
- Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of communication plans and initiatives, using web analytics and data from Hootsuite and make recommendations for continuous improvements.
The Candidate:
This position requires a strategic thinker with exceptional writing skills, media relations expertise and strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and people skills. You must enjoy working as part of a team and have an ability to work well under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines.
Location and Working Pattern:
Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Central Quay, Glasgow.
Please note that PHS will be relocating from Central Quay, Glasgow to Bothwell Street, Glasgow in September 2024.
Team members are currently hybrid working; therefore, you will be expected to spend time in both PHS offices as well as the option to work at home.
Monday - Friday, 37 hours per week however PHS supports flexible working and we are happy to discuss requests for alternative working patterns.
During times of public health emergency, or other urgent business need, you may be required on a temporary basis to work your normal contracted working hours over 7 days including weekends, in order to meet the needs of the service.
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with PHS.
Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. Click here to view the full range of the PHS Employee Benefits.
Further Information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Nicola Backler, Organisational Lead for Communications and Engagement by email at nicola.backler@phs.scot
Closing date for completed applications Friday 2nd August 2024
Interviews are expected to take place w/c 22nd August.
Further information on PHS is available from: www.publichealthscotland.scot
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
Public Health Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.