Job overview

Creativity is key when it comes to delivering crucial NHS messaging to our staff and communities across Sandwell and West Birmingham, and as part of our wider group working with The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

That’s why we’re looking for an external communications officer with a real flair for writing and creating eye-catching campaign content —someone who can bring important messages to life for our diverse and vibrant population.

The Communications team is a busy, fast-paced environment, so you can expect a steep learning curve but also constant opportunities to develop your skills. From handling media enquiries and drafting statements, to producing videos and animations, updating websites and social media channels, and exploring new ways to reach our audiences, no two days are the same.

Across both organisations you’ll play a key role in shaping how we communicate with our communities. You’ll use video editing and animation tools to create engaging content, respond to media enquiries, and generate stories that resonate both locally and regionally.

We’re looking for someone who is confident communicating with people- whether over the phone, on camera or face-to-face, who can film and edit content, and who is quick to learn in a dynamic environment.

Main duties of the job

To support ongoing communication with staff, public, patient and stakeholder groups and undertake other communications, engagement, and marketing activities.  

·       Provide extensive support to Head of External Communications and External Communications Manager in delivering the external elements of the communications strategy. 

·       Help develop and implement a marketing strategy to promote Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust as the hospitals of choice for patients and showcase new and innovative services. 

·       Organise and run public and stakeholder events to promote the Trust, its services, plans and strategies, including fun days, public meetings, conferences and roadshows and seize appropriate promotional opportunities, ensuring the Trust is adequately represented at public and stakeholder events

Working for our organisation

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country – one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. It’s a friendly and welcoming place – a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow. 

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.  

Our values – Ambition, Respect and Compassion – are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.  

Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to “Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population.” It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It’s what makes us unique.  

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose.  When we say we’re ‘with you all the way’ we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.  

Multi-site working 

The four partner Trusts of the Black Country Provider Collaborative (Dudley Group NHS FT, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust) are actively working in partnership to deliver a collective vision focused on providing "better, faster and safer care to the population of the Black Country and beyond". 

To support this vision, we are (where appropriate and safe to do so) actively looking at new models of care which:

Against this context, although this post is hosted by Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, there may be an expectation to work flexibly across the four partner Trusts to better meet patient and service needs.