Job summary
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS FT is changing, and we're looking for an exceptional values-led communications and corporate governance specialist to help us take the next steps on our exciting journey.
Providing inspirational leadership to our communications and corporate governance teams, you will support our strategy refresh, strengthen our stakeholder relations and innovate to drive inclusivity in our engagement of communities. You'll do all this while ensuring our organisational governance remains robust, pragmatic and supports our strategic partnership agenda.
To thrive in this opportunity, it is essential that you are a proactive leader with a sound understanding of the statutory and regulatory context that the NHS works within. You'll need to demonstrate credibility in both the corporate governance and the communications and involvement aspects of the role.
For an informal conversation about the opportunity please contact James Drury, Director of Strategy 0114 2263960.
Main duties of the job
The Associate Director of Communications and Corporate Governance will act as principal adviser to the Chair, Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors on all issues relating to governance and will be responsible for maintaining sound governance procedures to support effective board operations for the organisation and ongoing compliance with the legislative and regulatory frameworks.
The post holder will ensure that the critical role of Trust Secretary is fulfilled, either by delivering this function themselves, or by ensuring that a suitably qualified and experienced team member is in place.
The Associate Director will be a regular attendee at meetings of the executive team and will build trust with the Board of Directors through the provision of expert advice on matters of communications strategy and tactics. They will lead the strategic communications function to deliver our new and ambitious communications and stakeholder engagement strategy, and will develop the Trust's capacity and capability to deliver in support of the Trust's objectives.
About us
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.
What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.
It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of
If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.
We are all very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide strong, visible, collaborative leadership, acting as a positive role model of positive behaviours that embody our values.
Responsible for the line management of the Heads of both the Communications and Corporate Governance functions, and for the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
Responsibility and accountability for strategic communications and engagement across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of operational and strategic plans for the communication of the Trusts strategic aims.
Lead on management of the corporate brand and identity. Hold others to account for the brand integrity and ensure Trust values are reflected in communications.
Provide strategic advice to the Board and executive team on key communications and engagement issues, defining how strategic objectives and business decisions are promoted to key audiences.
Provide communications and PR support directly to the Chief Executive and the Chair including media interviews, speech writing and social media etc.
Responsible for the production, editing and design of the Trusts corporate documents including Annual Report, the Quality Account and Annual Plan. Ensuring that corporate communications are accurate, easy to read, relevant to different audiences and compliant with Trust and wider NHS brand guidelines.
Lead on communications and media response in relation to major incident handling in partnership with the Trusts Emergency Planning Manager.
Strategic lead for the development and delivery of effective two-way internal communications to ensure staff understand, support and can contribute to the development and delivery of Trust priorities in accordance with our values.
Responsible for the content management, branding and accessibility of the internet and intranet sites and for ensuring steps are taken to regularly update this content and ensure it is aligned to the Trusts strategy, priorities and values.
Lead the development of the Trusts stakeholder engagement and communications strategies involving communities and professional stakeholders.
Represent the Trust externally ensuring that the Trusts decision-making is transparent and communicated to stakeholders to encourage engagement.
Develop systems and processes to support a wide range of leaders across the trust to contribute effectively to a coherent trust stakeholder management approach. Including effective feedback loops and support for trust representatives.
Lead the development and implementation of an innovative and engaging Communications Strategy, to manage the reputation of the Trust and support its strategic objectives. This includes advising on communication approaches to support change initiatives that are designed to deliver the trust strategy.
Develop and deliver an engaging Charity strategy for the Trust, which reflects the Trusts overarching strategic goals, purpose and values, and which responds to the passion and commitment of staff and stakeholders to strengthen our involvement with charity.
Act as principal advisor to the Chair, Chief Executive, Board and Council of Governors on all governance matters to ensure the Trust has a robust governance infrastructure and complies with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Ensure that the Board, Council of Governors and their committees are properly constituted, operated and supported, according to standing orders and the regulatory framework including appropriate terms of reference.
Manage the membership function of the Foundation Trust, including ensuring an accurate membership database is maintained including the public register.
Lead the Trust secretariat function, and oversee management of Trust Board and its committees with document circulation, high quality agenda planning, minute taking / approval, action tracking and work programme development.
Act as the owner of the Risk Management Strategy, including ensuring regular review and annual consideration by the Board of the Risk Appetite Statement and Board Assurance Framework.
Provide strategic governance advice to the Trust including but not limited to, compliance & regulation, clinical negligence, and employers\public liability.
Oversee the commissioning of external legal advice where necessary to ensure the efficient and effective resolution of issues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in relevant subject or equivilant level of demonstrable experience of working at a senior level in communications, stakeholder management, involvement and/or corporate governance
- Evidence of a demonstrable commitment to Continual Professional Development with an active and varied CPD portfolio
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the issues facing SHSC and the heath and care sector and the opportunities for collaboration
- Understanding of current healthcare policy and national operating framework.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing clear balance corporate governance advice at Board level, in a large complex organization, preferably within the NHS
- Significant experience of leading the development and delivery of effective strategies for communications, engagement and consultation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Centre Court
Atlas Way
Sheffield
S4 7QQ