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Job summary

Main area
Communication
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover until 9 October 2026)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
430-CORP25-106A
Employer
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Communications & PR (Dept)
Town
Milton Keynes
Salary
£37,338 - £44,962 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
15/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Communications and Engagement Specialist - Maternity Cover

Band 6

Job overview

Communications and Engagement Specialist – Maternity Cover

Department Communications

Band 6 £37,338 - £44,962 Per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you an experienced internal communications expert who is used to working in fast-paced, complex environments? Do you have a passion for informing, engaging, supporting and inspiring  hard-working NHS colleagues, and the skills needed to reach them? 

If so, we have the role for you.  Our small, friendly and supportive Communications Team is seeking a Communications and Engagement Specialist on a 12m FTC starting October 2025 for maternity cover.

Within this role, you will be responsible for the internal communications channels, manage the end-to-end process for internal events, plan content and be involved in our strategic framework including identifying savings efficiencies. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to create content for the Chief Executive Officer that inspire our staff. 

For more information, and contact [email protected] to discuss the role further.

Interview w/c 28 July 2025

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work as part of a team that is responsible for delivering communications and engagement activities that inform, inspire and engage external stakeholders and colleagues of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 

This role will suit an experienced, creative person who can produce a wide range of accurate, on-brand content for both internal and external channels at pace, and also take the lead on managing external digital channels like websites and social media.

 

Working for our organisation

'6.43% of this staff group feel they are supported at work under the ‘safe and healthy’ element.’ (NHS Staff Survey 2024).

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours.  At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

  • Free on-site parking
  • Free refreshments
  • Great flexible working opportunities
  • Discounted gym membership
  • Lease car scheme
  • Generous annual leave and pension scheme
  • On site nursery (chargeable)
  • Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Content Creation
•    Produce a wide range of content and assets for internal and external communications channels
•    Maintain brand standards at all times
•    Undertake videography, audio recordings and photography
•    Own and embed Brand Guidelines across the Trust
•    Establish and manage a comprehensive content / asset library including consents
•    Establish a suite of repeatable formats/templates

External Communications
•    Manage the Trust’s social media presence including planning, producing and posting content, monitoring and engaging with communities, measurement and optimisation
•    Manage the Trust’s website
•    Issue media releases and follow up with journalists to secure coverage
•    Put external channels in service of strategic objectives including the promotion of recruitment opportunities, improved patient experience and city-wide engagement

Internal Communications 
•    Support colleagues at busy times with events and communications

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.  

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.  Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.   This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing  employment  with  the  Trust,  all  employees  (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are  subject  to  a probationary period lasting  a  period  of  six  months  with  an  option  to extend  for  a  further  six  months  to  a total of  12 months.

Person specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Qualified to degree level or hold equivalent relevant experience
  • Experience in external communications including social media and website management and best practice
  • Experience in content creation including photography, videography, graphic design and animation
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding and experience of managing brand guidelines and house style

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of using design software, including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Canva
  • Experience of photography, animation and videography
  • Experience of taking complex concepts and producing clear collateral / comms e.g. newsletters, leaflets, posters, reports, guidance
  • Experience of using online tools, e.g. content management systems and social media management tools
  • Experience of managing and optimising social media and websites
  • Experience of setting up and managing asset/image libraries
  • Experience of producing templates/repeatable formats
  • Experience of embedding brand principles in an organisation

Skills

Essential criteria
  • • Excellent IT skills
  • • Excellent communication skills, with a focus on visual communications
  • • Willingness to use own initiative
  • • Well-developed organisational skills
  • • Excellent people skills
  • • Excellent prioritising skills, with the ability to manage a changing workload and manage expectations of delivery accordingly
  • • Deals with complex, changing information
  • • Ability to conceptualise and produce engaging and creative content across multiple platforms
  • • Ability to analyse incoming information and compare a range of options to make recommendations as to the best communications approach

Personal and people development

Essential criteria
  • Commitment to personal development
  • Commitment to developing new ways of working and contributing to the development of protocols
  • Ability to work quickly to a high standard
  • Flexibility and willingness to try new ways of working
  • Creative approach to problem-solving
  • Enthusiastic manner
  • Excellent personal presentation

Communication and Engagement

Essential criteria
  • Efficient at managing high volumes of email and briefs
  • Able to represent the organisation effectively
  • Able to engage senior managers in the development of campaigns and events to ensure they deliver the organisation’s objectives
  • Able to influence, motivate and persuade stakeholders using effective communications
Desirable criteria
  • Able to brief journalists and manage ongoing relationships with media to ensure fair and positive coverage of the organisation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoHSJ Best places to workCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employer

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Bernadette Ahmed
Job title
Head of Communications and Engagement
Email address
[email protected]
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