This post is a 12 Month Fixed Term / Secondment position. As per the Fixed Term Contacts Policy – Where individuals with continuous service within the NHS apply for fixed-term contract roles, NSS reserves the right to refuse any such appointment.
About the Organisation
Public Health Scotland launched 1st April 2020 as a national health board, employing around 1200 people, and with an annual budget of around £101 million. Public Health Scotland wants to see a Scotland where everybody thrives, a Scotland where life expectancy improves and the difference in life expectancy between our poorest and wealthiest areas gets smaller.
The Post
We’re looking for a proactive Senior Communications and Marketing Officer to join our team and make a big impact on public health communications and marketing in Scotland. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll plan, deliver and evaluate communications and marketing activity that reaches the right audiences and makes a difference to people’s lives.
You’ll lead on the development, delivery, and evaluation of your activity to support an area of work within the strategic planning, employee engagement, press office and corporate communications functions.
At Public Health Scotland (PHS) we’re committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities through well‑developed strategic communications and marketing activities that are designed to engage and make a difference.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate strategic communications and marketing activities across high‑profile public health areas.
- Participate in a 24/7 on‑call press office service – in hours and out of hours.
- Provide excellent project and account management skills.
- Proactively collaborate and seek out stakeholders (including the media) from across all sectors to expand the visibility and reach of our work.
- Write and edit clear, engaging content that tells compelling stories to support and reflect our 10‑year strategy.
- Work with topic leads, clinicians and the wider Communications team to shape and deliver effective plans and projects.
- Offer expert advice on audiences, messages, channels and products across campaigns, projects and events.
- Use insight, data and evidence to inform creative approaches that motivate and support positive behaviour change.
- Spot opportunities to promote, position and protect PHS’s reputation and raise the awareness of our work.
- Provide on‑the‑ground communications and marketing advice and expertise to develop, deliver and evaluate a range of planned and highly visible activities to build greater public awareness of the work that PHS leads across Scotland.
The Candidate
You are a highly motivated, organised professional with excellent stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills. You have an eye for detail and are solutions orientated, articulate, media savvy and can effectively promote and position the work of you and your team to confidently demonstrate the impact on public health priorities and reduction in health inequalities that PHS is aligned to.
Your Skills and Experience
- Postgraduate qualification in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or equivalent experience.
- Significant experience in marketing or communications, preferably within a public organisation (NHS, third sector, or local government).
- Experience of planning and managing delivery of multimedia communications and marketing activity across a variety of channels and evaluating impacts and outcomes.
- Ability to analyse complex information, summarise key issues, and present them effectively to diverse audiences.
- Crisis Management experience in supporting high‑profile incidents and maintaining business continuity.
- Project Management ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, delivering high‑quality results on time and within budget.
- Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills, with a sound understanding of the media and political landscape in Scotland and the UK.
Location and Working Pattern
The post is based in either Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Bothwell Street, Glasgow. Hybrid working is expected, with time spent in both PHS offices and the option to work from home. Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week. Participation in a 24/7 on‑call rota service is part of this role.
During times of public health emergency or other urgent business need, you may be required to work over 7 days including weekends, in order to meet the needs of the service. It is a condition of employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with PHS.
Benefits
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits.
Inclusion
Public Health Scotland (PHS) is a national NHS board committed to being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming employer. We support flexible working options, are an Established Carer Positive employer, and offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities. Staff can also join our active equality networks. As an equal opportunities and Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria, and we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. PHS is working towards becoming a trauma informed organisation and recognises that trauma may affect people in different ways, including during the recruitment process. If you need reasonable adjustments or support, please contact the Recruitment Team on nss.wfrs@nhs.scot.
Further Information
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Euan MacKay (euan.mackay2@phs.scot). Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by email only, so please check your email regularly (including junk folders).
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