Job summary
- Main area
- Research
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 18.75 hours per week (flexible working with travel)
- Job ref
- 279-7260855-JUL25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 19/08/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 09/09/2025
Employer heading
Sussex CRDC Communications and Engagement Manager
Band 7
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the newly established NIHR Sussex Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) as a Communications and Engagement Manager.
The centre, which is one of 21 being set up across the UK as part of a £100 million government investment, will enhance the speed and efficiency of commercial clinical research, providing more people in Sussex with access to cutting-edge treatments.
The CRDC Communications and Engagement Manager is a key role within the team providing the Research and Innovation (R&I) Department and Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) with creative, impactful and consistent communications.
The post holder will lead on communications for the CRDC and the Trust’s research and innovation department, highlighting and promoting health, translational and clinical research trials taking place within the Sussex CRCD and Trust. This is a key role in raising the research profile of the Trust and Sussex region, encouraging inclusive research participation, increasing commercial research activity and income and attracting regional life sciences investment.
UHSussex is pleased to have secured external funding for the role of Sussex CRDC Communications and Engagement Manager.
Main duties of the job
The CRDC Communications and Engagement Manager will provide sound, expert advice and input from a general communications and engagement perspective to enable delivery of the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust’s research and innovation ambition and the Sussex CRDC.
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of national, regional and specialist media alongside considerable experience of proactive and reactive media relations and issues management. They will have significant experience of working in the communications and engagement field and proven track record of delivery, including stakeholder engagement.
The ability to work flexible hours independently and with a hybrid office model and travel across the Sussex region is required.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Content (Communications and Engagement Department), the CRDC Communications and Engagement Manager will provide sound, expert advice and input from a general communications and engagement perspective to enable delivery of the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust’s research and innovation ambition and the Sussex CRDC.
The CRDC Communication and Engagement Manager will:
· Responsible for the day-to-day implementation of marketing and communications strategies across the CRDC (web, print, advertising, promotional materials, social media, etc).
· Develop and maintain NIHR Sussex CRDC website and other related web assets, leading both design and content.
· Develop and maintain marketing and communications strategies for research content, for both internal and external audiences.
· Review regularly the publications and web-presence of other relevant organisations.
· Liaise with NIHR and CRDC communications teams and be responsible for reporting relevant outputs to the central team.
· Co-ordinate the design, content and production of core research publications, for example quarterly newsletters, stakeholder updates, patient information leaflets, web pages, annual reports, strategic plans etc.
· Meet regularly with UHSussex R&I and CRDC leads and researchers to proactively identify content and stories for our channels.
· Be the first point of contact for research active UHSussex staff and key stakeholders who are considering producing their own research-related materials, and managing this process to ensure consistency of brand, image and messages in publication.
· Oversee and develop branded assets to promote the Sussex CRDC and research infrastructure.
· Oversee all internal communications activities for research staff, partners and stakeholders.
· Provide expert advice on communication strategies for specific projects, including the launch of new research trials.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- • Educated to post graduate degree level or able to demonstrate significant equivalent knowledge, skills and experience of working at a similar level in the areas of communications, marketing, PR or journalism.
- • Significant experience of working in the communications and engagement field and proven track record of delivery, including stakeholder engagement
- • Strong understanding of national, regional and specialist media alongside considerable experience of proactive and reactive media relations and issues management.
- • Experience of delivering a communications strategy and developing creative and innovative campaigns.
- • Evidence of successful leadership, management and engagement across organisational and geographical boundaries to facilitate collaborative working.
- • Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage budgets and deliver projects to deadline.
- • Ability to network and build relationships at all levels, including liaison and negotiation skills
- • Proven experience of promoting the use social and digital media to communicate with key audiences
Desirable criteria
- • Professional or postgraduate qualification in public relations, marketing communications or journalism
- • Experience of developing and implementing public awareness campaigns
- • Excellent understanding of the key issues facing the NHS and social care and commercial clinical research/life sciences industries.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Vivienne Colleran
- Job title
- Operational Director - Research and Innovation
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07766 364618
- Additional information
PA Nicola Curtiss: PA to Senior Leadership Team Research & Innovation Email: [email protected] Website: www.uhsussex.nhs.uk Tel: 0779 5334912 (Work mobile)
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