BHF Data Science Centre Communications Manager

Purpose of the Post

Reporting to the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Operations Director, this is a pivotal role that will be integral to demonstrating the value of health data research for diseases of the heart and circulation. You will work closely with the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] research communities, wider stakeholders, as well as colleagues in [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], Diabetes UK and the Stroke Association to develop and communicate a compelling narrative of our research impact and build the brand of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

You will deliver the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s communications and events strategy for research and science and contribute to the delivery of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s communications strategy. You will work with colleagues to manage a range of tools and channels, including our websites, social media, email, publications, PR, partner organisations and events, to reach audiences across academia, NHS, industry, charities, Government, as well as patients and the public. The post holder will work with colleagues in the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Communications team on media relations and policy opportunities, ensuring alignment and maximising impact of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] outputs.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced science communications professional to lead and deliver communications and events on cutting-edge cardiovascular research using large-scale health data, that are making a tangible difference to people’s lives.

The post holder will have a background in science or research communications with the ability to communicate complex information in accurate, accessible and innovative ways to engage with the varied audiences with which we work. The successful candidate will have experience of working on complex, scientific projects with multiple partners, strong influencing skills and be comfortable with working at pace.

Main Responsibilities

• Research, write and create a range of high-quality engaging content in the form of case studies, news stories, infographics, animations, press releases, videos and podcasts for the website, social media and other channels. Work closely with the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Manager, particularly where content is aimed at patients and the public, and the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Communications team to ensure coordinated and timely communication of outputs.
• Deliver the communications and events strategy for the Centre, ensuring regular review and updating. Working closely with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] colleagues, ensure outputs, events and their impact are recorded for governance and funder reporting, and wider dissemination where appropriate.
• Horizon scan and liaise with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and other partners for opportunities to share successes that help raise the profile of the Centre and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].
• Establish effective working relationships and ‘ways of working’ with the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and other strategic partners to maximise opportunities for collaboration.
• Contribute to the delivery of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s communications strategy, working closely with the Director of Communications and External Affairs and other colleagues across the institute.
• Work with the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Communications team to manage relevant media relations opportunities for the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s research and scientific outputs.
• Organise, co-ordinate and support high quality events to engage with a wide range of audiences, evaluating effectiveness and providing follow-up communications (e.g. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] monthly webinars, regional evening receptions and conference presentations), as well as providing support for scientific workshops.
• Manage event logistics, including: marketing, invitations, delegate registration, speaker briefings, venue liaison, online platforms, photography, filming etc., working closely with the Insights, Communications and Engagement team in [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].
• Maintain a calendar of communication, events and engagement activities, coordinated across wider [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] activities to ensure activity is “joined up”.
• Develop and manage high quality channels for communication and collaboration, including maintaining and developing the Centre’s website.
• Establish effective relationships and work in partnership with communication, policy and programme teams across partner organisations.
• Ensure all communication materials produced adhere to the brand guidelines, helping to ensure the reputation and visual identity of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and its partners are maintained.
• Working with [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] colleagues, manage media lists, monitoring coverage and communication contact lists (using e.g. Agility and Hubspot).
• Where necessary, commission external suppliers to support delivery of the Centre’s communications, manage relationships and project manage delivery to time and budget.

Planning and Organising

This role requires exceptional organisational skills to manage multiple projects and multiple partners, to ensure effective communications are delivered within deadline. It is part of a small and exceptionally busy team that is leading the Centre’s coordination and engagement across six thematic areas and two catalysts. The post holder is responsible for planning communications activity aligned to the strategy for the Centre and will work across teams within [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], with liaison with many healthcare and research organisations across the UK. The post holder will require a flexible approach to work effectively in response to changing demands.

Problem Solving

The Communications Manager will be expected to use problem solving skills to respond to and manage the diverse demands on the team. The post holder will operate with independence, dealing with and responding to issues brought to their attention as a first point of contact for communications for the Centre. The post holder will require confidence and resilience in dealing with enquiries and problem solving. The post holder will make an effective judgement on when to escalate issues to senior colleagues’ attention and with what urgency.

Decision Making

The post-holder will make all day-to-day operational decisions for their own workload and on behalf of the Centre, where required. With support from senior colleagues, the Communications Manager will identify, initiate and develop opportunities for collaborative working with relevant national and international partners and organisations.

Continuous Improvement

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is dedicated to continuous improvement through our quality management system and has achieved ISO 9001 accreditation. The post-holder will review, analyse, identify and implement opportunities for quality improvement within their role and as part of the wider team through our strategy development and internal audit processes.

Key Contacts/Relationships

The post holder will build and maintain effective working relationships both internally, within the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], and externally, with key colleagues within partner organisations and other stakeholders; including: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] team including the PPIE Manager and the Communications and Engagement Assistant; [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Communications team and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] colleagues more widely; [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], Diabetes UK and Stroke Association colleagues; Colleagues in partner academic and NHS institutions; Media and communications colleagues in partner organisations; External stakeholders including patients, public, policymakers, media organisations, charities, academic and NHS partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of creating and delivering science communications to generate impact and engagement.
• Excellent writing skills with an ability to understand and translate complex scientific and technical information and concepts into a range of content for different audiences.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to produce high quality materials for traditional and innovative communications channels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with people at all levels.
• Experience of working independently and autonomously, using excellent decision-making and influencing skills.
• Experience of creating and delivering successful scientific communications strategies and plans.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrable experience of setting up and managing websites, including use of Google Analytics, and running social media channels.
• Project management expertise with a proven track record of delivering challenging projects with multiple partners to deadlines.
• Experience of organising and managing a range of events from start to finish.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working.

Desirable

• Experience of managing suppliers.
• Experience of using Hubspot, Eventbrite and Survey Monkey.
• Confidence to handle high profile media enquiries and to advise spokespeople on messages and challenging situations.
• Experience of using data visualisation software for communicating research.
• Understanding of data protection relating to events and marketing, including GDPR.