We are currently recruiting for a Communications Manager to join our small but mighty communications and engagement team. Here our current Communications Manager, Jayne, gives an insight into her day-to-day role and what she likes most about working at EMAHSN.

To find out more and apply, visit our webpage. Applications close 12 January 2021.

When I saw the job of Communications Manager advertised for the East Midlands AHSN, I was in search of a role where I felt like I was doing something worthwhile. At the time, I’m not sure I understood the full extent of the opportunity that I’d stumbled upon!

The more I found out through research for my interview, the more I was excited about the breadth of the role and what the AHSNs do. Despite struggling to annunciate the name of the organisation at a nervy interview (!) – as an FYI it turns out saying it in full is no easier than the acronym when you’re new, it’s quite the tongue twister – I thankfully got the job and haven’t looked back since.

Fast-forward to two years later and I’ve now been appointed to the role of Communications Manager for the national AHSN Network within the central communications team – helping to support local communications teams with resources and campaigns, which bring us together as a cohesive network. I thought it would be good to step in front of the curtain for a change and give anyone who is interested in the role (or just generally wants to see what working in communications for one of the AHSNs is like) a sneak peek!

My day-to-day work

No day is the same, it’s a cliché but it’s true. As we work across all of the teams and propositions in the organisation, one day I might be working on a campaign to highlight a report related to medicines optimisation to health and care stakeholders and on another day I will be leading on a campaign plan for a scheme targeted at innovators and SMEs.

So far this week I have: worked with our Managing Director on a blog celebrating her first year at the AHSN (she made it an easy task as we talked through ideas over a virtual coffee); started the creative process of re-writing our mission and vision following some interactive input from staff across the organisation; put together a campaign plan for the launch of our new intake of an innovator accelerator programme, and finalised the first draft of our annual ‘offer guide’ – and as I write this it’s only Wednesday…

It’s a busy role and we work on multiple projects all at the same time (with a smile on our faces) – it helps to be able to tap into the expertise of our Digital Communications Manager and Events and Engagement Manager. Together we lead on our individual elements but work brilliantly as a team, sharing our knowledge and expertise on every project.

What I like most about my role and working at EMAHSN

• Working across new subject areas – I’ve always been inquisitive and a large part of my role that suits this is being given a topic and having to understand it (often with the help of experts) to the point where I can communicate about it confidently. I can honestly say I learn something new weekly, whether that’s about how a pathway works or a clinical condition and I love that lightbulb moment where it clicks in to place so I can get to work… As a note, I hadn’t worked in the NHS before this role, which wasn’t a deal-breaker – but did require a good ability to pick up new information and detail quickly.
• Communications isn’t a bolt-on – Communications and engagement isn’t seen as an additional service, but instead, it is interwoven throughout all areas. I think it helps that we have a great Executive and Leadership team who see the value of communications in spreading innovation and recognise the expertise needed to do this to the highest standard.
• The lovely team – Last but by no means least, one of my favourite things about working at EMAHSN are my colleagues. Everyone was suspiciously friendly when I started working at the AHSN two years ago...and it turns out they are all just very nice people – that will teach me for being cynical. People really have time for you and everyone wants to help each other – which as a communications professional is hopefully like music to your ears!

Interested?

If I’m any good at this, then hopefully you’ll be starting your application as I type. In all seriousness, it’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to work with the successful candidate in my national role.

To understand a bit more about the detail of what we do as an organisation, I’d advise you read our annual Impact Report and our recent report detailing some of the support we have offered the system during the pandemic – they will give you a richer context and there is a chance if you got the role, you’d be working on them in the future…!

For more information on how to apply visit the NHS Jobs website.

Author 

Jayne Holgate, Communications Manager

Watch Jayne's vlog where she shares more thoughts on the Communications Manager role: