VCHA Comms and Engt Lead

Job overview

We are looking for a new communications and engagement lead to join our team!

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), at a time of expansion. The VCHA is an NHS England funded, national programme delivering Veteran Aware accreditation across healthcare, in England. In accrediting organisations as Veteran Aware, the VCHA aims to develop a network of providers committed to demonstrating best practice in providing access to, and delivery of, care for the Armed Forces community. The programme is hosted by the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.

As communications and engagement lead you will support the team in implementing newly developed branding to create a strong visual and written identity. Additionally, you will support the new training team to develop training materials, ensuring they reflect the identity of the programme. As a stand alone communications professional, you will be responsible for all disciplines; from strategic to delivery. This includes website and social media management, copywriting and content creation so strong writing and graphic design skills are a must.

Main duties of the job

As communications and engagement lead, you will play a vital role in leading communications for the programme and in supporting organisations to raise awareness of the Armed Forces community. As the sole communications professional within the programme, your responsibilities will encompass all disciplines, from strategic communications to content creation and execution. Your expertise and innovative approaches will contribute to achieving the VCHA's milestones and objectives, while ensuring the maintenance of its brand identity and strong engagement within the NHS and the Armed Forces community. As a key member of the team, you will be a confident writer, exploring narratives to bring the voice of the Armed Forces community to life for healthcare providers. This role requires an analytical and creative mind-set.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to:

• be a subject-matter expert in communications and engagement at national level,
• act as a brand guardian for the programme and the wider NHS, ensuring brand guidelines are upheld throughout production of content,
• offer guidance to the team in achieving a consistent approach to communications,
• report progress against national and organisational plans, through utilising effective communications, support the priorities of Healthcare for the Armed Forces community, a forward view and, the Office of Veterans Affairs ‘Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan’

• develop the Veteran Aware brand, alongside the aims of the VCHA programme.

Operational

• build and maintain relationships with stakeholders,
• be responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of the programme on time, to quality standards, and in a cost-effective manner,
• attend regular team meetings to monitor progress against KPIs.

Communication & Engagement

• create, develop and manage content on the VCHA website,
• evolve and implement the programme communications strategy,
• develop content for awareness moments,
• produce content toolkits for accredited organisations to support consistent national communications around remembrance and Armed Forces week,
• manage programme social media accounts,
• produce and disseminate news articles, press releases and online information,
• develop communications products, such as posters, leaflets, photographs and videos,
• advise and manage media risk mitigation and, act as a brand guardian, ensuring brand identity is utilised effectively and appropriately,
• attend stakeholder meetings, as appropriate, note key discussions and agreed actions,

• attend in person events for example, conferences and breakfast clubs.