Senior Communications Officer

The Role

To effectively communicate with the media, staff, the public and other external stakeholders and to provide clear, accurate and accessible public information.

To support the Communications Manager in increasing public knowledge and awareness and protecting NHS Lanarkshire’s reputation from false or misleading information.

To provide support to the Communications Manager in the delivery of effective communications to promote NHS Lanarkshire and its services, both internally and externally.

This includes developing a positive reputation and mature relationship with the people of Lanarkshire, key stakeholders and partner organisations, local and national media, MSPs, MPs, MEPs and the Scottish Government.

Have you always wanted to work with NHS Lanarkshire? Then this might be the opportunity for you to join Team Lanarkshire!

Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services.

We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.

Educated to degree level, with communications training and/or experience to post-graduate diploma level or equivalent, with a track record of providing communications solutions for high-profile, sensitive issues.

Expert knowledge and experience of public relations and communications best practice within a health service context.

Experience of planning and implementing communication initiatives and projects.

Knowledge of Scottish media and libel laws, Freedom of Information, Data Protection Act, Equality Act and patient confidentiality guidelines.

IT literate including proficiency in a variety of software packages with advanced keyboard skills including use of word processing, publications and presentations.

Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills and knowledge of Plain English standards.

Experience of newspaper/magazine production including knowledge of design and printing processes.

Knowledge of public relations and communications best practice.

Knowledge of photographic, layout and design standards.

Good “news sense” – the ability to identify a story that would be of interest to the media.

Detailed knowledge of, and established relationships with, Scottish media.

Good knowledge of Scottish political system and structures.

Good knowledge of local and national NHS structure and decision making process.

Good understanding of NHS public and patient involvement standards.

Fast and accurate note taking and typing skills.

Good interpersonal skills and ability to team work.

Full UK/EU/EEA driving licence required.

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in a communications role.
• Experience in the NHS or large public sector organisation.
• Knowledge Freedom of Information Act.
• Knowledge of evaluation methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent news gathering skills with ability to proactively source opportunities for positive media coverage.
• Excellent IT skills with ability to use website content management systems and social media management software.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to take and edit photographs and videos.

Fixed Term or Secondment until April 2026

Full time

37 hours

Please note this is a fixed term post until April 2026. Where a post only has temporary funding and an existing member of NHS Lanarkshire staff wishes to apply, this will be treated as a secondment. The employee MUST already have written agreement from their line manager to be released on a secondment before applying for the post.

This role will be…