Job Advert
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
JOB TITLE: Senior Communications Officer
GRADE: Band 6
LOCATION: Office and Home Working
CONTRACT DURATION: FIXED TERM CONTRACT – END APRIL 2030
HOURS: 36
SALARY SCALE: £41,608 to £50,702 per annum
We are looking for a talented and creative professional to help us tell the story of NHS Lothian; Scotland’s second largest health board, serving a local population of 800,000 and providing specialist services nationally.
You will have the opportunity to promote NHS Lothian’s world class innovation in health treatments and care, celebrate the fantastic achievements of our 26,000 staff and support our continued response to the real challenges being felt everyday across the NHS.
The Communications Team touches every aspect of the organisation so you will never be bored. You will be managing media relations; generating and writing stories and media releases, creating engaging multimedia content for our digital channels, engaging with stakeholders, running campaigns; publicising innovation; managing events, and facilitating VIP visits to our services.
Your main focus will be in supporting the project to build a new multi-million pound Eye Hospital in Lothian.
You will work with frontline clinical staff and planning teams, as well as engage and interact with patients and stakeholders on the major capital planning project to develop a state-of-the-art dedicated ophthalmology facility.
You will also work and engage with teams as they undertake major redesign programmes to help shape vital work to improve the experience and safety of patients and raise public awareness of the exciting new development.
This is a superb opportunity for a team player with a ‘can-do’ approach. If you are as comfortable putting together and executing a well thought-out plan as you are responding to a fast moving situation, we’d love to hear from you.
You will need:
* a proven track record in communications/PR/media
* excellent written and verbal communication skills
* up to date knowledge of social media tools and real skill for generating engaging digital content
* the ability to produce accurate work to very tight deadlines.
* experience of engagement on a range of different projects and teams
* experience in proactive and reactive media relations
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.
We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.
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This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.
Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.
For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact kizzy.taylor@nhs.scot