Engagement Lead - Health Determinants Research Collaboration (Hdrc)

Engagement Lead - Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC)

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £53,892 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 27th May 2024

About us

We want everyone who lives in Greater Essex to have the same opportunities to succeed in life. We are making progress towards this, but we still have a way to go. For too many communities low levels of education, limited economic opportunities and poor living conditions lead to disparities in mental and physical health and lower life-expectancy. Those who are most vulnerable experience the greatest disadvantages.

There is no easy solution. Progress depends on public service agencies collaborating to collaborate on solutions using the best available evidence. This means communicating research with impact and in a way that commands the attention of our most senior decision-makers, as well as those who shape front-line practice.

This is where you come in.

About the role

As our Engagement Lead, you’ll be a vital part of the team delivering the new Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Greater Essex – part of the emerging network of research centres that are based in local authorities, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and focused on building research capacity and capability between local government and the academic sector.

The HDRC Greater Essex will be hosted by Essex County Council, but you’ll work hand-in-glove with colleagues in Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils, and across the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University.

You will lead the delivery of the HDRC Communications and Engagement programme, working with communications teams across partners. You’ll be an experienced communications professional and an independent, self-starter with the ability to manage strategic relationships and to both plan and execute multi-channel communications. You’ll be comfortable working with professionals and politicians at a senior level, and in delivering the work that comes about as a result.

You’ll have a wide scope to operate across the HDRC. You’ll devise and deliver an overall communications strategy for the HDRC, meeting partners’ overarching objectives and those of its funding body (the NIHR). You will develop the HDRC brand, helping to establish it as a credible source of insight end evidence. Crucially, you will lead on work to disseminate research findings with impact, ensuring that research projects are adhering to these principles and guidance.

You will lead on a range of marketing and communications outputs, the HDRC events programme supporting the wider HDRC team to develop their own capabilities and securing advocates for the HDRC’s work.

In return, you can look forward an excellent rewards package, as well as flexible working and long-term career opportunities.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for:

· leading the HDRC Greater Essex’s communications and engagement programme, connecting with the central ECC team to ensure alignment.

· identifying and liaising with internal and external colleagues who are instrumental in the successful delivery of the HDRC’s communications and engagement activity.

· managing relationships with senior leaders across Greater Essex, aligning with partner organisations in the successful delivery of HDRC programmes and initiatives.

· working within a political environment and with major grant funders, to deliver on the outputs and outcomes required.

· designing and managing the communications strategy and plans to support delivery of the HDRC’s Research Plan, using insight and data to define outcome-based objectives and identify appropriate actions.

· overseeing marketing & communication activities across the HDRC and ensuring high standards of brand identity.

· deploying multichannel marketing tactics to support the successful delivery of communications and engagement activity, including email, social, digital and print assets, as well as events and conferences.

· monitoring the allocation of resources within the communications and engagement programme, ensuring rigour in project delivery.

· ensuring all marketing and communications effectiveness and outcomes are monitored and evaluated.

· working collaboratively across teams and supporting colleagues to develop their skills, knowledge and expertise in communications and engagement.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

We’re looking for people with significant experience in delivering research and analysis for large, complex organisations. You’ll have a track record in delivering research that impacts strategic decision making.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

· Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience in a Communications and Marketing advisory/consultancy role.

· Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in a relevant professional area.

· Evidence of strong project management skills and process, and experience of multidisciplinary and cross-functional working.

· Experience of delivering a communications calendar that includes multiple campaigns and projects per year of varying objectives, with proven ability to define and impart strategy.

· Evidence of using data for communication analysis and to propose new ideas - setting metrics and measuring success.

· Experience of managing social marketing campaigns, with a good understanding of digital and offline marketing and communications.

· Experience of multidisciplinary and cross-functional working and data analysis is desirable.

For a copy of the HDRC Greater Essex Research Plan or an informal conversation please contact Alastair Gordon, HDRC Director and ECC’s Head of Profession for Research, at Alastair.Gordon@essex.gov.uk

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the link.

Interviews for this role will be scheduled between 17 th and 28 th June.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk 

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