The emotive Early Career Achiever in Healthcare Communications

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This award aims to recognise outstanding talent working within the broader healthcare communications sector, who, in the first seven years of his/her/their healthcare communications career, has demonstrated real potential for achieving great things, either as a generalist or a specialist.

Entries are invited from professionals with less than seven years’ experience working in any UK, European or international communications role, for example, in-house within industry, for a PR, medical education and digital or other specialist communications consultancy, or for a charity or patient advocacy group.

During their career candidates will already have:

  • Demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of healthcare communications within their organisation and the industry
  • A significant and proven track record of success in the delivery of healthcare communications programmes that facilitate improvements in health outcomes and patient care
  • Been a passionate team player with a high potential for collaboration and success
  • Established themselves as an effective ambassador through work undertaken with stakeholders
  • Made a demonstrable difference to their company and the industry
  • Stood out among their peers.

Entries will only be accepted directly from the individuals themselves, and by signing their entry they certify that all information provided is fair and, above all, accurate.

Candidates should be careful when making claims that they do not overstate their involvement in any programme or activity.

It should be clear from the CV provided and the description of the career to date that you have been working in relevant roles for seven years or less. Judges reserve the right to exclude entries where this is not clear or where the healthcare communications experience is clearly longer than seven years.

PLEASE READ the updated judging criteria and judges’ top tips below before developing your entry. You may also wish to look at the list of past winners at communiqueawards.com/previous_winners

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to present to an independent judging panel on Friday 17 May 2024. They will be required to give a short presentation on their entry and will then be asked questions by the judges relating to their entry and their career to date. The organisers will be unable to send invitations before Friday 3 May, therefore it is advisable for entrants to hold the date open.

JUDGING CRITERIA AND ENTRY FORMAT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (max 200 words) 0 (zero) marks

If your submission is nominated for an award, only extracts from the executive summary will be published, allowing you to ensure it contains no confidential information. No other part of your entry will be reproduced and your entry will remain confidential at all times

CV and Photo

Please upload an up-to-date CV and a high resolution, print quality photograph

Main Entry

1. SUMMARY – 10 Marks (220 words)

  • In your own words, state why you think you should win this award
  • Consider all the criteria and advice below and let the judges know why you think you should win this award

2. ACHIEVEMENTS IN CAREER TO DATE – 20 Marks (450 words)

  • In this section, please tell the judges about the most impressive achievements in your career to date excluding 2023 (see section 3)
  • The judges are looking for achievements that make a major contribution to patient outcomes, programme or project success, key client/stakeholder relationships or drive the internal culture or external reputation of your team/organisation or the industry as a whole.
  • You should select achievements that clearly demonstrate:
    • Your qualities as a team player or team leader
    • Your commitment to best practice and determination to enhance industry reputation

Judges’ top tips:

  • There is no need to give a full career history as the judges will have your CV to provide this information
  • Be clear and transparent about your specific role in these achievements. Be sure that you have played a leading and significant role in the achievements that you describe and briefly describe the team you were part of
  • Include details of the outcomes that were achieved and the best measurement that you have to demonstrate this
  • Achievements that are clearly above and beyond what might be expected from someone in your role at the time are much more likely to be shortlisted than delivering in line with your role
  • Remember the later section provides you an opportunity to pick out one particular highlight from your career

3. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2023 – 20 Marks (520 words)

  • In this section, please tell the judges about the most impressive achievements during the calendar year 2023
  • As above, the judges are looking for achievements that make a major contribution to patient outcomes, programme or project success, key client/stakeholder relationships or drive the internal culture or external reputation of your team/organisation or the industry as a whole.
  • You should select achievements that clearly demonstrate:
    • Your qualities as a team player or team leader
    • Your commitment to best practice and determination to enhance industry reputation

Judges’ top tips

  • Be clear and transparent about your specific role in these achievements. Be sure that you have played a leading and significant role in the achievements that you describe and briefly describe the team you were part of
  • Include details of the outcomes that were achieved and the best measurement that you have to demonstrate this
  • Achievements that are clearly above and beyond what might be expected from someone in your role at the time are much more likely to be shortlisted than delivering in line with your role
  • Remember the later section provides you an opportunity to pick out one particular highlight from your career

4. MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE – 20 Marks (500 words)

  • Entrants must provide a more detailed description of the most significant achievement within their career to date
  • You should be able to demonstrate how you specifically have made a difference to your team, organisation, clients or other stakeholders and/or to the reputation of industry.
  • The description should not exceed 500 words.

Judges’ top tips

  • Be clear and transparent about your specific role in these achievements. Be sure that you have played a leading and significant role in the achievements that you describe and briefly describe the team you were part of
  • Include details of the outcomes that were achieved and the best measurement that you have to demonstrate this
  • Achievements that are clearly above and beyond what might be expected from someone in your role at the time are much more likely to be shortlisted than delivering in line with your role

5. CLIENT, EMPLOYER and/or THIRD- PARTY FEEDBACK – 10 Marks (400 words)

  • Provide endorsements from those in a position to support your entry

Judges’ top tips

  • Remember to secure specific permission from the people whose words you include in your entry
  • Two or three strong comments from your superiors, clients, external stakeholders or the target
  • audience for your work will be more helpful than multiple comments from your colleagues
  • The judges can often tell an authentic, spontaneous comment from the time you were delivering the work, and these are likely to score more highly than comments written specifically for this award entry

6. PRESENTATION – 20 Marks

  • Entries that are shortlisted for this award based only on the information above will be invited to make a presentation to the judges
  • The judges will award marks for the presentation based on:
    • Your ability to persuasively communicate your strengths and achievements
    • Your ability to bring your passion and commitment to life
    • Your responses during a short Q&A session after your presentation
  • More details of the presentation will be provided if you are shortlisted for this award