Job Description

Harrogate and District Foundation Trust are recruiting to a Communications Assistant role in their Communications and Marketing Team.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and professional individual who wants to develop a career in communications within the NHS.
No day is ever the same, and the position is a great way develop those essential skills to keep patients and the community informed about our fantastic Trust.
For more information about this role, please see the job description attached or contact Giles Latham - Communications and Marketing Manager via email at giles.latham@nhs.net
Main duties of the job

• To assist in the administration of the Media Office, ensuring that all media enquiries are logged, answered or referred on.
• To support the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer in drafting media releases and statements.
• To assist in the creation of publications for Trust staff, as well as local, national and specialist media and external stakeholders.
• To monitor media coverage, maintain a comprehensive and well organised press cuttings, photo library, distribution lists and contact databases.
• Support the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer with event co-ordination.
• To provide comprehensive administration and support services to the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer.
• The post holder will often be the first point of contact for people interacting with the communications and marketing team and as such he/she will need to make an excellent first impression and foster good working relationships with colleagues and external agencies/stakeholders.
• The post holder will manage their own workload, acting independently within appropriate occupational guidelines and decide when necessary to refer issues to their line manager.
• The role will involve some out of hours working, including evenings and weekends as necessary.
• The post holder will need to demonstrate the ability to be party to highly sensitive information and keep this confidential.

About us
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!
We offer colleagues:

• A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
• Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
• Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.

Please note:

• Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
• Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
• Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
• All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Details
Date posted
08 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
421-CORP-3371R
Job locations
Harrogate District Hospital
Harrogate
HG2 7SX
Job description
Job responsibilities

• Support the Communications and Marketing Manager andSenior Communications Officer in the delivery of the Communications and Marketing Strategy.
• Work with the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer to address media enquiries which may be of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• To co-ordinate the teams generic inboxes and redirect emails to the appropriate person.
• Assist the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer in planning and promoting internal/external campaigns.
• Source good news stories from across the Trust for promotion, building links and positive relationships with colleagues. Write up and publicise these stories via available communications channels.
• Take high quality photographs and video of Trust events and other activities as required.
• Arrange meetings, participate in and take and prepare minutes at regular meetings, coordinating follow up actions and assisting in the preparation of agendas.
• To co-ordinate team presentations and ensure presentation equipment is available.
• Ensure the timely distribution of key messages across the Trust by circulating messages via the weekly Staff Update email and updating the intranet.
• Provide a consistent and knowledgeable contact point, dealing with complex and sensitive information to include the assistance in the delivery of an effective media office by answering queries, giving advice and providing information to key stakeholders including media enquiries, media interviews/events and photo calls.
• Monitor the website on a regular basis and liaise with the Clinical Directorate teams regarding content for the website and ensuring that information provided is up-to-date and correct.
• Assist in developing new content, in collaboration with the Clinical and Corporate Directorate teams, on the Trusts intranet and website, ensuring appropriateness for all audiences, ensuring consistency and accuracy of the updates.
• Support the Communications and Marketing Manager andSenior Communications Officer in social media activities including posting updates and monitoring of social media accounts.
• Maintain stock control for the team and co-ordinate the print process for Trust external printing, obtaining quotes and liaising with print companies.
• Compile and distribute weekly media monitoring updates to key colleagues.
• Produce a monthly report showing Communications and Marketing activity across all priority areas.
• Maintain the photo library for the Communications Team.
• Undertake any other responsibilities in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
• Actively promote the reputation, vision and values of the Trust among colleagues at all levels within the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organisational objectives

Job description
Job responsibilities

• Support the Communications and Marketing Manager andSenior Communications Officer in the delivery of the Communications and Marketing Strategy.
• Work with the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer to address media enquiries which may be of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• To co-ordinate the teams generic inboxes and redirect emails to the appropriate person.
• Assist the Communications and Marketing Manager and Senior Communications Officer in planning and promoting internal/external campaigns.
• Source good news stories from across the Trust for promotion, building links and positive relationships with colleagues. Write up and publicise these stories via available communications channels.
• Take high quality photographs and video of Trust events and other activities as required.
• Arrange meetings, participate in and take and prepare minutes at regular meetings, coordinating follow up actions and assisting in the preparation of agendas.
• To co-ordinate team presentations and ensure presentation equipment is available.
• Ensure the timely distribution of key messages across the Trust by circulating messages via the weekly Staff Update email and updating the intranet.
• Provide a consistent and knowledgeable contact point, dealing with complex and sensitive information to include the assistance in the delivery of an effective media office by answering queries, giving advice and providing information to key stakeholders including media enquiries, media interviews/events and photo calls.
• Monitor the website on a regular basis and liaise with the Clinical Directorate teams regarding content for the website and ensuring that information provided is up-to-date and correct.
• Assist in developing new content, in collaboration with the Clinical and Corporate Directorate teams, on the Trusts intranet and website, ensuring appropriateness for all audiences, ensuring consistency and accuracy of the updates.
• Support the Communications and Marketing Manager andSenior Communications Officer in social media activities including posting updates and monitoring of social media accounts.
• Maintain stock control for the team and co-ordinate the print process for Trust external printing, obtaining quotes and liaising with print companies.
• Compile and distribute weekly media monitoring updates to key colleagues.
• Produce a monthly report showing Communications and Marketing activity across all priority areas.
• Maintain the photo library for the Communications Team.
• Undertake any other responsibilities in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.
• Actively promote the reputation, vision and values of the Trust among colleagues at all levels within the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to achieve organisational objectives

Person Specification
Interview
Essential

• Communications experience
• Working effectively as part of a team.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and use of intranet/website content management systems.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to deal with sensitive and difficult situations.
• Ability to work under own initiative, making sound judgments on referring issues to managers and escalating problems appropriately.

Desirable

• Marketing or Communications qualification
• Media and PR experience
• Knowledge of film making and editing.

Person Specification
Interview
Essential

• Communications experience
• Working effectively as part of a team.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and use of intranet/website content management systems.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to deal with sensitive and difficult situations.
• Ability to work under own initiative, making sound judgments on referring issues to managers and escalating problems appropriately.

Desirable

• Marketing or Communications qualification
• Media and PR experience
• Knowledge of film making and editing.

Skills Required