Communications Manager

Are you keen to be part of an evolvingorganisation at the leading edge of regulation, where the intellectualchallenge is high and the potential to make a difference is immeasurable?

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UKsindependent regulator of clinics providing fertility treatment and researchinvolving human embryos.

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for a talentedCommunications Manager to lead on all aspects of our internal communications aswell as clinic-facing communications. Your work will increase understanding ofthe HFEAs role and priorities.

This is a maternity cover, 9 - 12 month fixed term contract. Interviews are expected to take place 7/8 October. Start date would be mid November to allow for handover with the current post-holder.

Main duties of the job

You will be comfortable having soleresponsibility for managing all aspects of our intranet. Youll work closelywith colleagues in our Policy and Intelligence teams to develop reports andguidance, bringing your first-class writing and editing skills to showcase theimpact of our work. Youll also produce communications plans to supportprojects, ensuring they meet our audiences needs and that evaluation is builtin.

Reporting to the Head ofCommunications, you will be the internal comms representative forcross-departmental activity, participating in cross-government internalcommunications meetings.

You will lead on producing the monthly Clinic Focus e-newsletter, whichis our primary channel to communicate with clinics and the sector.

Youll also have excellent interpersonal skills, be able to workeffectively with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, and the abilityto work to tight deadlines.

The successful candidate will also sit as a member of the HFEAs ExecutiveLicensing Panel (ELP), supporting licensing decision making.

About us

The HFEA isthe UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practice infertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinicscarrying out IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

This post isoffered as either office based (in which case you will need to attend theoffice at least one day per week)or home based (in which case office attendance will be specified byyour line manager based on business need). Our office is in Stratford, eastLondon, in attractive new premises on the edge of the Olympic Park, alongsideseveral other health Arms Length Bodies. In addition to flexibility and hybridworking we offer generous annual leave and pension arrangements.

The HFEA is amember of the Community Race and Work Charter and the Disability ConfidentCharter. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive workingenvironment that is free from any form of discrimination. We recognise thatthere are real benefits of having a diverse community of staff and aim for ourworkforce to be truly representative of all sections of society. Additionally,we adopt a culture that hopes to attract and retain talented individuals thatwant to work with us.

In November 2024, the HFEA was awarded People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award 2024.

Job responsibilities

The communications manager is a senior role in the HFEA, leading on allaspects of the organisations internal communications. You will be responsiblefor creating and delivering communications plans to engage patients and otherstakeholders to increase understanding of the role of the HFEA and theimpartial information we provide.

Key responsibilities include leading on the HFEAs internal communications,including sole responsibility for and managing all aspects of theorganisations intranet, creating and editing high quality corporatepublications and online content to increase understanding of the HFEAs roleand priorities, and creating campaigns and plans to engage patients and thepublic to grow the HFEAs reach and reputation.

The role also leads on the production of clinic-facing communicationsincluding Clinic Focus, a key channel used by the HFEA to communicate withclinics and the sector, managing all content and the production process.

You will be comfortable working with senior colleagues. Reporting to theHead of Communications, you will be one of three communications managers at theHFEA and part of the six-strong communications team.

Key responsibilities

1. Leadingon the production of content for all internal communication channels, includingthe HFEA intranet, and identifying opportunities for development
2. Leadingon the production of the monthly Clinic Focus newsletter, the primary channelused for communicating with clinics and the sector. Managing all content, creatingthe communication on the web platform, and holding sole responsibility fordelivery.
3. Soleresponsibility for the HFEA hub. Developing and maintaining all aspects of theintranet, including structure and content. Working with colleagues across theorganisation to create engaging content and ensuring resources are up-to-dateand easily accessible.
4. Creatingand delivering corporate publications to enhance the HFEAs reputation andshowcase the impact of our work.
5. Leadingon the production and revision of content for the new HFEA website withresponsibility for ensuring the new website contains up to date, currentinformation that is written in accordance with the HFEA style guide.
6. Workingwith Communications team colleagues to prepare briefings for external andstakeholder meetings for the Chair
7. Working with project managers across theorganisation, particularly in Policy and Intelligence, to produce communicationsplans to support the projects. Ensuring the communications plans meet the needsof all stakeholders and evaluation is built in.
8. HFEAinternal comms representative for cross-departmental activity, reporting to theDHSC where appropriate, and participating in ALB Head of Internal Commsmeetings.
9. Overseeingthe management of the PR and Communications Assistant
10. Workingwith Intelligence and Policy colleagues to develop reports and guidance (suchas the Code of Practice), including proofing and plain English checks.
11. Creatingand delivering public facing campaigns to promote the work of the HFEA andinfluence awareness and behaviours to support regulatory outcomes
12. Sitting asa member of Executive Licensing Panel (ELP), supporting licensing decisionmaking.

Line management

1. To linemanage the PR and Communications Assistant, providing support via regular oneto one meetings, setting objectives and monitoring performance.

Other responsibilities

1. Deputisingfor the Head of Communications when needed
2. Leading onpress enquiries and responses in place of the Senior External CommunicationsManager when needed
3. Providingcover (with Social Media and Digital Comms Officer) for Web Manager/Developer whenneeded
4. Undertakingsuch other duties, training, travel and/or hours of work as may be reasonablyrequired and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility ofthis job
5. Maintainingpersonal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job,participating in appropriate learning activities and encouraging and supportingstaff in their development;

Person Specification

• Project management skills and experience
• The ability to prioritise tasks and work to tight deadlines
• Able to deputise for colleagues in the communications team as required
• IT skills including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Experience

• Experience of developing communication strategies and the implementation and monitoring of communications plans.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high quality communication materials, written in plain English, under tight deadlines
• Experience of running and managing patient/public facing communications campaigns
• Excellent editorial and writing skills, paying attention to detail and tailoring materials for specific audiences
• An understanding of a range of communications channels, such as digital media, publications and press/PR and using these to meet organisational and specific communications objectives
• Experience of working in a communications team in a healthcare organisation
• Experience of managing and generating digital content
• Knowledge and experience of running an internal communications function

Interpersonal skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the confidence to work with and communicate effectively with people at all level both inside and outside the organisation
• A good team player, willing to help others
• Good time management skills and experience in handling multiple projects
• Basic knowledge of design principles

Qualifications

• Educated to at least degree level or equivalent experience in communications
• Relevant formal qualification and/or evidence of training in marketing, communications or events management