Job Description

This is a fixed term contract until December 2026.
Are you a highly organised and enthusiastic communications professional looking for a challenging and rewarding role?
We are seeking a proactive and versatile Communications Officer to work across the NIHR Academy and NIHR Corporate Communications Team.
This unique role offers the chance to manage essential business as usual communications and engagement support, while contributing to key strategic projects that enhance the NIHR's presence and impact.
Whilst the job description refers to specific press office responsibilities, the focus of this will focus on internal communications.
Expected Shortlisting Date
09/01/2026
Planned Interview Date
19/01/2026
Main duties of the job
As a Communications Officer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the vital work of the NIHR Academy and the wider NIHR Corporate Team is communicated effectively, both internally and externally. This will include:

• Creating accurate and engaging content for the NIHR website and intranet, and coordinating the build and distribution of newsletters and emails.
• Providing support for the planning and delivery of events, including the Academy Members Conference and webinars.
• Supporting in material management and travel booking.
• Monitoring and responding to queries in central communications inboxes.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of key strategic projects, such as the creation and distribution of new digital assets, the maintenance of the Senior Investigators Directory, and the new intranet platform.
• As a member of the Internal Communications Delivery Team - delivering support for wider-NIHR central internal communications, keeping colleagues informed in accessible, timely and engaging ways.

About us
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research facilities and a skilled research workforce.
This role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Details
Date posted
10 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
31,049 to 37,796 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
9 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9298-MDI-168
Job locations
NIHR Academy Executive
21 Queen Street
Leeds
LS1 2TW
Job description
Job responsibilities
General

• To work as a member of the Communications, Involvement and Development Team, ensuring the effective communication of key messages
• Provide support to the Communications Manager and Assistant Communications Manager in delivering the NIHR Academys communication and engagement strategy
• Provide back-up support for the Communications Assistant role to undertake administrative tasks for the Communications, Involvement and Development team
• Provide training in communications processes to other colleagues across the office

Social & digital media:

• Monitoring, analysing, evaluating and enhancing digital media channels including social media, intranet and the website
• Working closely with the Assistant Communications Manager to ensure corporate and operational messaging is communicated promptly, accurately and effectively via digital media channels
• Lead on the design of social media and web-based campaigns, as directed by the Assistant Communications Manager
• Supporting the NIHR Academys webinar programme
• Lead on the NIHR Academy Executive Intranet

Communications and Printed materials

• To research, coordinate, create and publish content for communications for a variety of audiences and media channels
• Manage the production of materials by external suppliers including designers and printers
• Deal with all contacts in a courteous and professional manner and will need to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of contacts.
• Comment on policies developed within the Communications team, making suggestions where requested
• Measurement and evaluation of campaigns

Events and campaigns

• Assist with the production of publicity and other material (written and digital) in support of events and campaigns, including supporting with planning and organisation.
• Support NIHR Academy events and campaigns to ensure all activities are carried out professionally
• Evaluate and analyse events, as well as identify event opportunities

Job description
Job responsibilities
General

• To work as a member of the Communications, Involvement and Development Team, ensuring the effective communication of key messages
• Provide support to the Communications Manager and Assistant Communications Manager in delivering the NIHR Academys communication and engagement strategy
• Provide back-up support for the Communications Assistant role to undertake administrative tasks for the Communications, Involvement and Development team
• Provide training in communications processes to other colleagues across the office

Social & digital media:

• Monitoring, analysing, evaluating and enhancing digital media channels including social media, intranet and the website
• Working closely with the Assistant Communications Manager to ensure corporate and operational messaging is communicated promptly, accurately and effectively via digital media channels
• Lead on the design of social media and web-based campaigns, as directed by the Assistant Communications Manager
• Supporting the NIHR Academys webinar programme
• Lead on the NIHR Academy Executive Intranet

Communications and Printed materials

• To research, coordinate, create and publish content for communications for a variety of audiences and media channels
• Manage the production of materials by external suppliers including designers and printers
• Deal with all contacts in a courteous and professional manner and will need to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of contacts.
• Comment on policies developed within the Communications team, making suggestions where requested
• Measurement and evaluation of campaigns

Events and campaigns

• Assist with the production of publicity and other material (written and digital) in support of events and campaigns, including supporting with planning and organisation.
• Support NIHR Academy events and campaigns to ensure all activities are carried out professionally
• Evaluate and analyse events, as well as identify event opportunities

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of effective communications and public relations techniques, together with strong writing skills

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or other public sector
• Understands complexity of working within a healthcare organisation
• Familiar with the Google platform including Google Sites

Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level (Communication, Marketing or PR related or able to demonstrate equivalent work experience)

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Is IT literate with good experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office
• There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings
• Able to travel around the county

Skills & behaviours
Essential

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
• Digital media skills, including an ability to use a content management system and manage social media content
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, yet also capable of working on own initiative
• Able to communicate with a variety of people and build effective relationships
• Able to work as an individual and prioritise own workload
• Is keen and able to work with minimal supervision
• Imaginative able to generate creative campaign ideas
• Ability to work closely with multiple stakeholders and influence outcomes to achieve priorities

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of effective communications and public relations techniques, together with strong writing skills

Desirable

• Experience within the NHS or other public sector
• Understands complexity of working within a healthcare organisation
• Familiar with the Google platform including Google Sites

Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level (Communication, Marketing or PR related or able to demonstrate equivalent work experience)

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Is IT literate with good experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office
• There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings
• Able to travel around the county

Skills & behaviours
Essential

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
• Digital media skills, including an ability to use a content management system and manage social media content
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team, yet also capable of working on own initiative
• Able to communicate with a variety of people and build effective relationships
• Able to work as an individual and prioritise own workload
• Is keen and able to work with minimal supervision
• Imaginative able to generate creative campaign ideas
• Ability to work closely with multiple stakeholders and influence outcomes to achieve priorities

Skills Required