Job Title: / Communications Assistant
Department: / PR & Communications
Location: / St Catherine’s Hospice
Job Summary: / To be part of a dedicated, focused team responsible for the delivery of communications and marketing activity for St Catherine's Hospice and The Millto a wide variety of audiences of stakeholders in order to raise awareness and encourage support.
Position in Organisation / See Organisational Chart
Contact with others
Internal
All members of staff and volunteers, Directors and Managers, CEO
External
Commercial, statutory and voluntary organisations, customers, Hospice supporters, members of the public
Key Accountabilities / Tasks
Social Media / Assist the Communications team in using social media to effectively communicate and engage with a variety of audiences and stakeholders linked to the hospice and The Mill
Research and keep abreast of the latest developments in social media, sharing relevant and appropriate ideas with the communications team for implementation.
Help gather and produce interesting, engaging and inspiring multi-media content for use on social media e.g. photos, quotes, videos.
Research social media influencers who could help develop the organisation's outputs and channels
Help evaluate the success of social media campaigns and interactions and keep statistical records
Keep theHead of Communications abreast of any issues or problems on social media which could affect the charity’s reputation
Website / Help manage and maintain informative, efficient, user-friendly and engaging websites for the hospice and The Mill
Keep the hospice and The Mill’s news and blog feed up to date
Keep online content – including written word, photos, videos and eventslistings – up to date and engaging
Analyse and monitor the effectiveness of the website and identify further improvements
Assist with SEO of content
Keep up to date with the latest web technologies and developments that could potentially benefit the hospice e.g. Apps
Marketing / Contribute towards the hospice's bi-annual newsletter and any special publications, including regular e-bulletins
Contribute ideas towards the content and design of publications and marketing collateraland help with proofing of such items
Manage on-site marketing collateral at St Catherine's Park including exterior banners, TV screen banners and materialsat The Mill
Media relations / Help maintain positive media relations to effectively promote the hospice and The Mill in the local, regional and national media and to maintain and enhance their reputations.
Help with the creation and distribution of PR material to print, online, radio and TV outlets
Monitor news channels for coverage
Keep up to date with topical issues and developments and advise the communications team on potential, relevant media opportunities
Internal Communications / Assist with the delivery of effective internal communications which inform and inspire staff and volunteers.
Contribute towards an internal quarterly staff e-bulletin rounding up the latest news
Contribute towards a quarterly volunteer e-bulletin and work to gather more email addresses to improve communications with them
Fundraising Support / Support and promote the Income Generation directorate of the hospice by helping to deliver effective and inspiring communications about fundraising events and campaigns to a variety of audiences and stakeholders
Assist with the creation of promotional material for fundraising events (posters, flyers, email signatures, social media cover photos), ensuring the brand of St Catherine's is protected and promoted
Use social media to promote fundraising events and campaigns to encourage attendance, involvement and income, including through posting 'live' from events.
Interact with and encourage supporters in their efforts through engaging communications activity
General Administration / Provide administrative support to the Communications team including compiling coverage reports and carrying out research
Decisions / Recommendations includes:
Share ideas and opportunities with the Head of Communications and Director of Income Generation to identify and research new activities.
Respond to all enquiries in a timely manner.
Research and identify new opportunities and, in conjunction with theHead of Communicationsand Director of Income Generation,seek authority for implementation.
Make recommendations regarding activities opportunities/threats
Dimensions and limits of authority / influence includes:
To promote the hospice and it’s work to external organisations and members of the general public
Allocation / checking of work
Responsible for managing own time and meeting deadlines as set by Head of Communications
Feedback for professional development to be provided by the Head of Communications
Physical effort
PC work – hand and wrist dexterity and use of VDU
Driving within local community required with role
Physical demands in relation to some activities, expected to be a fully active member of the team
Working conditions / environment
Occasional evening/weekend, Bank Holiday and lone working
Own transport needed to attend external events and appointments
External work, subject to unpredictable weather conditions
Other Duties include:
Carry out any other duties as required by the Chief Executive
Health & Safety
Comply with Hospice policies, procedures and protocols

VOLUNTEERS

The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers. If a volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility for the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of completion. You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.

CONFIDENTIALITY

You should be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.

DATA PROTECTION

You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act and follow local codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

ORGANISATIONAL CHARTS (see below)

Communications Team Organisational Chart


PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent or relevant apprenticeship / Communications, marketing, PR, journalism or equivalent media qualification
Relevant Experience
Experience of working in a communications/marketing environment, whether through academic studies, placements/volunteering or in another communications team.
Use of social media channels and a knowledge and understanding of how they can be used by an organisation to achieve communications goals.
Experience of regularly updating and developing content for websites
Awareness and interest in digital trends and tools
Experience of writing for a variety of audiences, using a range of channels , such as press articles, e-bulletins, blogs, brochures and leaflets.
Proofing and editing experience
An interest in how new media and technologies can be used to develop initiatives to drive forward the business objectives of an organisation / Working in an environment that includes volunteers and/or not-for-profit organisations
Knowledge and understanding of crisis communications or issues management
Good contacts with local and regional press
Use of website content management systems and web analysis tools such as Google Analytics
Key Skills & Abilities
Excellent communicator, both written and oral, able to deal with a wide variety of different stakeholders
Demonstrable organisational skills
Good eye for detail
Ability to prioritise competing demands.
Creative and innovative
Good news-sense
Problem solving & decision making
Research skills
PC – Microsoft, Word, Excel - and Internet literate / Design / web design skills
Photography and/or filming skills
Strong working knowledge of social media networks and dashboards, with proven ability to adapt to new technologies
Awareness and understanding of e-marketing and digital communications
Other
Sufficient personal resources to work effectively in a palliative care setting
Committed and motivated by the purpose of the hospice
Good interpersonal skills & ability to work on own as well as part of a team
Positive attitude and willingness to adapt to and suggest new ideas
Diplomatic
Creative, with lots of ideas
Tenacious
Happy to work in a fast-paced environment
Passionate about communications and the opportunity this role presents to develop skills in a variety of areas covering the whole marcomms spectrum.

AGREEMENT

Senior Manager’s name / Signature
Job Holder’s name / Signature
DATE AGREED

Job Title: Communications Assistant1 of 8 Reviewed: January 2016

This Job Description is not exhaustive but provides an outline of duties and responsibilities. It does not form part of the Contract of Employment and will be subject to periodic review with the postholder.