NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL

EXCELLENCE

Job Description

Job Title Communications Executive - Events

Team/Area of Work External Communications (public affairs and
external stakeholder engagement)
Centre/Directorate Communications Directorate
Responsible to External Communications Manager
Accountable to External Communications Manager
Location London office
Hours per week WTE 1 37.5 hours
Job type Permanent
Pay Band and Salary Band 6
Basic Salary: £25,472 - £34,189
plus High Cost Area Supplement

Associate Director
External Communications

External
communications
manager

Communications
executive - events

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent
organisation responsible for providing national guidance for the NHS and the wider public
health community on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill
health.

The Communications Directorate is responsible for ensuring that all those with an interest
in the Institute’s work understand its role and responsibilities and can access its guidance.
The Communications Directorate is responsible for external communications, internal
communications, enquiry handling, publishing and the Institute’s website and intranet.

The External Communications team (public affairs/external stakeholder engagement)

plays a major role in developing relationships with external stakeholders and presenting the
public face of NICE. Responsibilities include developing editorial content for the public and
media facing pages on the website and helping ensure the website is used as a major
external communication tool; running the public affairs programme including providing
strategic support and advice on government and parliamentary affairs, and on how NICE
should be working with other key political influencers such as major charities, regulatory
bodies and other national organisations; coordinating conferences and events that help

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promote the work of NICE and contribute to an increased awareness and understanding of
NICE’s role; and disseminating NICE guidance through a variety of communication tools
such as electronic newsletters to the NHS and wider public health stakeholders.

Job summary
The post-holder will be a communications all-rounder with particular expertise in events
management, working as an integral part of the External Communications Team. Working
closely with the Communications Manager, the post-holder will develop and manage the
Institute’s external events programme. The programme aims to raise awareness of the work
of NICE by providing specific and tailored information relevant to a range of audiences at
conferences, exhibitions and other events nationwide. The post-holder will be responsible
for managing the day-to-day organisation and co-ordination of the Institute’s presence at
these events, ensuring close integration with other activities such as speaking engagements
and public affairs activities. The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that there is
institute-wide awareness and participation in the external events programme, maximising
opportunities for staff across the Institute to take part. The post-holder will also play a key
role in coordinating and delivering the NICE Annual Conference. The post will involve UK
travel and some overnight stays.

Duties and responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for:

Management and leadership

• Assisting the Communications Manager and Associate Director in long-term

planning and strategy for the external events programme.
• Continuously identifying opportunities for improving the Institute’s external events
programme, including keeping pace with current thinking in events management.
• Day to day management of the external events programme, including logistics,
liaison with event promoters and contractors and other suppliers.
• Internal promotion of the external events programme.

Planning and organisation

• Working with the Communications Manager to plan, develop and deliver a

programme of exhibitions and events to raise awareness of the work of NICE and to
contribute to the dissemination of NICE guidance and other products to relevant
audiences, to include:
o Identifying exhibition and conference opportunities which would be beneficial
for NICE to attend and that reflects strategic priorities
o Managing all aspects of NICE’s presence at external exhibitions,
conferences and events, including liaison with event organisers, coordinating
delivery and display of exhibition materials, promoting and organising
Institute staff attendance and providing briefing to staff manning the stand
• Working with the Communications Manager and external events company to plan
and organise the NICE Annual Conference, to include:
o Sourcing and following up ideas for programme content, speakers and
workshops.
o Identifying and liaising with external exhibitors for the conference exhibition
area including promotion.
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 o Coordination of the Institute’s stand in the conference exhibition area
o Coordination of the Institute’s requirements for the conference, including
allocation of passes, organisation of accommodation etc.
o Coordination, with Institute colleagues, input to the Institute’s Shared
Learning Awards, including posters, displays and nominee attendance
o Promotion of the conference both internally and externally.
• Contractual and day to day management of the external agency responsible for the
Institute’s Board meetings.

Communication

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal teams and
external stakeholders.
• Ensuring appropriate collaboration with external agencies
• Building effective working relationships with other teams across the directorate and
the Institute in order to encourage Institute-wide participation in the events
programme.
• Building effective working relationships with equivalent post-holders in relevant
stakeholder groups and organisations.
• Representing the Institute at external events and promoting the work of the Institute
• Giving presentations to internal and external groups and at conferences.
• Supporting the Institute’s commitment to openness and transparency in its work
• Advising staff on changes to legislation and statutory requirements
• Where appropriate ensuring progress reports and evaluation reports are prepared
and presented on projects managed within the team.
• Able to communicate and deal with complex, sensitive and/or contentious issues
relating to the specialist areas dealt with at the Institute

Financial and physical resources

• Day to day management of the external events and conference budget.
• Commissioning external work and overseeing the management of contracts and
working relationships with external suppliers including event and exhibition stand
companies.
• Ensuring that contracts and arrangements with external contractors are initiated
and carried out in accordance with the Institute’s procedures

Research and Development

• Carrying out research into new developments, keeping up-to-date with best
practice within own specialist area and using results of research to inform and
improve the events programme.

Training and Development

• Undertaking continuing personal and professional development to meet the
changing demands of the job and to satisfy the NHS Knowledge and Skills
Framework requirements relating to the job

Other

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 • Performing any other duties within the range of skills and abilities of the post
holder, as required
• Adhering to NICE policies and procedures, eg Health and Safety at Work, Equal
Opportunities, Race Equality
• Respecting the confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to own
employment and that of other members of staff. All staff are expected to respect
the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1988 and of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and to seek guidance on these matters when in any doubt.

The post holder may be required to travel frequently to meetings outside London which
may include an overnight stay.

Key working relationships

Internal
• Communications Manager
• Other staff in the Communications directorate
• Staff across all directorates
• Communications staff in NHS Evidence
• Committee and advisory group members
• Senior Management Team

External

• National organisations/regulatory bodies/major charities

• Event management companies
• External Contractors
• NHS
• Public/patient groups
• Representatives from other organisations with an interest in the Institute’s work

This job description does not purport to cover all aspects of the job holder’s duties but is
intended to be indicative of the main areas of responsibility.

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 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CLINICAL
EXCELLENCE

Person Specification

Job Title Communications Executive - Events

Team/Area of Work External Communications (public affairs and
external stakeholder engagement)
Centre/Directorate Communications Directorate

Knowledge, training and qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through Essential
experience and further training/development
• Specialist knowledge across the range of work procedures Essential
and practices underpinned by theoretical knowledge or
relevant practical experience
• An understanding of the principles of budgetary management Essential
• An understanding of the social, political, economic and Desirable
technological context in which the NHS and the Institute
operates
• An understanding and commitment to equality and diversity Essential

Experience
• Extensive experience in a communications role, including Essential
conference and events planning and management
• Experience of managing external contractors and suppliers Essential
such as design agencies, exhibition contractors and event
organisers.
• Proven track record of delivering events on time and on Essential
budget that meet or exceed objectives
• Budget management experience Essential
• Experience of managing and delivering multiple, complex Essential
projects
• Experience of tendering and of managing contractual Essential
relationships

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 • Experience in writing for different audiences Essential
• Experience of co-ordinating and managing multiple projects Essential
• Experience of developing systems and administrative Desirable
procedures
• Experience in monitoring and managing performance in own Desirable
specialist area
• Experience of working with a range of individuals or Desirable
organisations in a health service setting
• Experience of working with confidential, sensitive and/or Desirable
contentious information

Skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the Essential
ability to communicate confidently and deal effectively with a
range of audiences both within and outside the organisation
• Strong interpersonal skills Essential
• Energetic and creative; open to new approaches and ideas Essential
• Excellent organisational skills Essential
• Excellent planning and time management skills Essential
• Excellent standards of numeracy and literacy Essential
• Good budgetary management skills Essential
• Ability to effectively plan and manage complex projects and Essential
deliver work of a high standard with conflicting and
demanding deadlines
• Ability to respond quickly and produce creative solutions to Essential
problems
• Ability to assess a range of information and make Essential
judgements on whether issues need to be dealt with at a
more senior level
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and Desirable
present it clearly and precisely, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills Desirable

Other Attributes
• Flexible attitude to working environment and ability to work Essential
as part of a team
• Thorough attention to detail Essential
• Mature attitude to decision making Essential
• Thorough attention to detail and high standards of Essential
accuracy
• Calm under pressure Essential