Job Description

These are exciting times for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, as we develop a new, state-of-the-art hospital, and this role offers a great opportunity to join the team behind this major programme.
The work is fast-paced, varied and interesting - so if you want a completely new challenge, this could be for you. As communications and engagement assistant, you will be an important member of the Securing the Future Programme communications and engagement team, and the wider programme team.
The work to develop the new Airedale hospital is complex and fascinating, and the programme is working through the double-challenge of continuing to run the current hospital while building a new hospital on the same site.
In this role we need someone who has good written and verbal communication skills, is well-organised and flexible and calm under pressure.
You will support the team to proactively engage all our stakeholders in the work of the programme, including our staff, patients, carers and local communities.
You will provide administrative support across a wide range of communications and engagement activity, giving you the opportunity to be involved in varied work and develop your communications, public involvement and public relation skills.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise in an exciting programme, as part of a small team.
Main duties of the job

• Supporting a wide range of internal and external communications and engagement activities, including staff engagement, media relations, and public involvement.
• Writing clear and engaging content for a range of channels including our website, social media accounts, intranet, internal and external newsletters and press releases.
• Supporting the development and delivery of activities to involve patients, carers, local communities and the public in designing the new hospital.
• Managing a range of administrative duties including keeping the involvement register and media log up to date, maintaining the stakeholder database and monitoring the involvement inbox.
• Other duties will include creating visual communications, assisting with filming and video editing, and helping to arrange events and visits relating to the programme.

About us
We are delighted to offer a wide range of benefits to employees including:

• Cycle to Work
• Travel Scheme
• Childcare Vouchers with Salary Sacrifice
• Onsite Nursery
• Buying and Selling Annual Leave
• Car Leasing
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Health and Wellbeing
• Extensive Reward Scheme
• Counselling Service
• Financial packages including Vivup and Wagestream
• Staff Networks, Enable, Rainbow, Gender, Race Equality Ecoaware & Admin Network.

Our values:
We understand that it's down to the hard work, effort and dedication of our staff that makes a difference for our patients. Our people really do make our Airedale experience - we take pride in fostering a friendly, effective and caring work environment. Our values are part of our DNA, which are:

• Committed to Quality of Care
• Compassion
• Working together for patients
• Improving Lives
• Everyone Counts
• Respect and Dignity

Got questions before you apply, please contact the recruiting manager to find out more.
Details
Date posted
27 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
27,485 to 30,162 a year Per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
423-7520117
Job locations
Airedale Hospital
Skipton Road
Steeton
BD20 6TD
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information and full details of the job role please see the attached job description and person specification.
This position is not currently eligible for a certificate of sponsorship in line with Home Office guidance as it does not appear on the skilled worker visa occupation list.
If you currently hold a different type of visa allowing you to work in the UK we would welcome an application from you. If your visa expires or there is a change in status during your employment, the Trust will be required to review your employment which may result in the termination of your employment to comply with the relevant immigration legislation
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information and full details of the job role please see the attached job description and person specification.
This position is not currently eligible for a certificate of sponsorship in line with Home Office guidance as it does not appear on the skilled worker visa occupation list.
If you currently hold a different type of visa allowing you to work in the UK we would welcome an application from you. If your visa expires or there is a change in status during your employment, the Trust will be required to review your employment which may result in the termination of your employment to comply with the relevant immigration legislation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Three A-levels or equivalent NVQs
• Level 4 Diploma / NVQ / Certificate or equivalent in a related area (e.g. community development; marketing;PR; journalism; media studies; creative writing)

Desirable

• Educated to degree level in a related area or a professional qualification in PR/marketing (eg CIPR) or community development
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Experience of working in the public sector/large and complex organisation

Experience and knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of communications or public involvement theory and practice.
• Experience of working with people.
• Experience of writing for digital and online audiences, including blogs, websites, social media and online publications, which requires speed and accuracy.
• Experience of working with sensitive and complex information and adapting it for different audiences.
• Knowledge of the media, with due regard to handling sensitive and complex information.
• Previous experience of preparing content for newsletters and online bulletins.

Desirable

• Awareness of communications and engagement techniques and approaches.
• Knowledge of the NHS Constitution, the NHS's structures and its issues.
• Understanding of NHS branding guidelines.
• Experience of organising events

Skills
Essential

• Excellent and creative written and verbal communications skills.
• Good administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Graphic design skills using desktop publishing packages or ability to develop these
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships
• Ability to manage own workload including multiple priorities and to work to tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience of planning communications campaigns and involvement activities.
• Ability to drive.
• Video/digital editing skills.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Three A-levels or equivalent NVQs
• Level 4 Diploma / NVQ / Certificate or equivalent in a related area (e.g. community development; marketing;PR; journalism; media studies; creative writing)

Desirable

• Educated to degree level in a related area or a professional qualification in PR/marketing (eg CIPR) or community development
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Experience of working in the public sector/large and complex organisation

Experience and knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of communications or public involvement theory and practice.
• Experience of working with people.
• Experience of writing for digital and online audiences, including blogs, websites, social media and online publications, which requires speed and accuracy.
• Experience of working with sensitive and complex information and adapting it for different audiences.
• Knowledge of the media, with due regard to handling sensitive and complex information.
• Previous experience of preparing content for newsletters and online bulletins.

Desirable

• Awareness of communications and engagement techniques and approaches.
• Knowledge of the NHS Constitution, the NHS's structures and its issues.
• Understanding of NHS branding guidelines.
• Experience of organising events

Skills
Essential

• Excellent and creative written and verbal communications skills.
• Good administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Graphic design skills using desktop publishing packages or ability to develop these
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships
• Ability to manage own workload including multiple priorities and to work to tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience of planning communications campaigns and involvement activities.
• Ability to drive.
• Video/digital editing skills.

Skills Required