Job description

Purpose of the post

This role is a key member of the Communications and External Affairs team at HDR UK, working with colleagues across the Institute and the wider UK health research sector.

The Digital Communications Officer will be responsible for delivering our day-to-day social media, newsletter and marketing output across all of HDR UK’s activities. Our audiences include patients and the public as well as those in the health data sector.

Your insight and expertise will increase our reach and impact across our digital channels at HDR UK and help us achieve the Institute’s strategic objectives.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a deep interest in health/science research and great enthusiasm for digital communications and social media, showing strong writing skills and creative marketing ideas. This is a 12 month post covering for maternity leave elsewhere in the team.

Main responsibilities

Work with internal teams and external partners to create compelling and engaging content in a variety of formats on HDR UK’s strategic priorities, in line with our communications strategy and brand guidelines
Manage the content planner, scheduling content to optimise engagement and meet organisational objectives and timelines
Carry out day-to-day management, monitoring and content creation for our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram (soon to be launched) and X
Work with the Digital Content Manager to support others at HDR UK who manage social media accounts, providing updates on trends, platform changes, training opportunities, and campaign plans.
Provide marketing support to teams across HDR UK and help achieve our strategic goals and objectives, including:
Support our Capacity Building team in marketing our offering of training courses, internships and postgraduate opportunities to health data scientists
Work with the Technology team in the marketing of our products to specialist audiences, especially the Health Data Research Gateway
Work closely with the Events Manager on marketing our busy events programme
Work with Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement colleagues to ensure our digital marketing is shaped by patients and the public
Create, compile and distribute our main email newsletters, HIVE and the Gateway newsletters
Support other email marketing needs and communications using our Hubspot CRM system
Publish engaging content on Health Data Research UK’s websites and work with teams to make sure web content is up to date
Work with the Digital Content Manager to review analytics across our digital communications channels and on specific campaigns, and use these insights to develop content and improve our communications

Experience

Significant experience in a digital communications or marketing role
A strong understanding of science or health research and the ability to translate complex, technical information into accessible communications copy that meets a variety of audiences’ needs
Experience of creating compelling content for digital and social media channels
Management of social media channels in a professional capacity
Use of a CRM system or email marketing platform
Experience of website publishing using a content management system (CMS)
Ability to produce visual digital content using tools such as Canva
Use of analytics to evaluate and improve website, content and digital marketing performance
Working with brand guidelines and external designers to produce on-brand assets

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively and confidently for a variety of audiences
Excellent editorial and proofreading skills, with strong attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to prioritise a wide range of demands and requirements, showing resilience and adaptability
Excellent IT skills with the ability to use digital software such as WordPress, HubSpot, Adobe

Required profile