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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health Research
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (12 months contract due to funding)
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week (3 days a week)
Job ref
437-7348545
Employer
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Central Park
Town
Manchester
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 Pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

Communications & Engagement Manager - GM Digital Research Unit

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

Following a strategy refresh the G M. Digital Research Unit have established the need to strengthen participation and engagement of service users, carers, staff and partner organisations. An experienced Communications and Engagement Manager, with an interest in Digital Mental Health and research, is required to help to develop and implement this aspect of the strategy.

The post holder will have excellent and engaging communication skills as they will be required to write materials and speak to a wide range of individuals and organisations. The communication will be complex as the post holder will be required to liaise with clinicians internal and external to the Trust, members of patient and carer support and involvement groups, the general public, and other local organisations.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will manage internal and external communications channels for G M. Digital, with a predominant focus on verbal, digital and audio-visual formats. The post holder will provide communications advice and support unit staff members and stakeholders. They will be responsible for content management through planning, production and management of content across multiple channels, matching channels, styles and messages to audiences as appropriate, both internally and externally. 

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of the G M. Digital Research Unit strategic objectives and contribute to the development and delivery of key communications campaigns and initiatives. 

The post-holder will receive line management support from Heidi Tranter (G M. Digital Research Unit Manager) in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH).   This includes regular line management supervision, clear objective setting for 3, 6 and 12 months and annual appraisals thereafter (depending on continued funding for the post).

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

  • Pay Enhancements
  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts
  • fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent level of training/experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area.
Desirable criteria
  • Qualification in Communications Experience and/or Qualification in project management.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • The post holder should: Engaging appropriately with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
  • Experience of managing projects and delivering change and realisation of benefits
  • Experience with systems used to manage communications activity, e.g., media/social media management systems, websites, campaign management tools etc.
  • Experience with podcast and video production (including interview, recording and editing)
  • Experience in communications and stakeholder management.
  • Advanced experience of using Microsoft Office software in the workplace.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of producing media content of sensitive topics such as mental health.

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • The post holder should be knowledgeable in the processes associated with building communication campaigns, projects, products and evaluating and reporting progress.
  • The post holder should have a clear knowledge and understanding of budgets and financial resources within a large organisation.
  • In depth knowledge of engagement and communications at a senior level
  • Thorough working knowledge of engagement strategies and proven experience of putting these into practice
  • Good working knowledge of service user, carers, public and community engagement acquired through qualifications or experience
  • Understanding the importance of the role of service users and carers and how their voice can be embedded in decision-making

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Have a high level of drive, self-motivation and energy to see tasks and projects through to conclusion.
  • Be able to manage complex activities and events.
  • Have ability to motivate and influence others and manage resistance to change.
  • Have an ability to gain confidence and credibility from a wide range of professionals.
  • Have a proven ability to achieve results both autonomously and as part of a team with the confidence to take initiative within boundaries.
  • Have skills for communicating complex, sometimes distressing information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal, oral and written communications skills for a diverse audience
  • Ability to compile comprehensive business cases, reports, datasets and letters
  • Proven ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure, managing tight and often changing timescales.
  • Be self-aware, which includes awareness of impact on others.
  • Be able to produce publications to the quality of academic journals and NIHR-report standards. .

Other Requirements

Essential criteria
  • • Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, there is an occasional requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust for meetings and/or events.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardWe are a Living Wage EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyHSJ Best places to workDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeWe offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employer

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Heidi Tranter
Job title
Research Unit Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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