Login to Apply

Location: London (Smart Working)

Purpose of Job:

To support the effective communication of the strategic change portfolio (SCP) as well as IT and other change developments across the MDU, by devising and executing a bespoke communications strategy – making sure departments receive the right information at the right time, clearly and unambiguously.

Key Accountabilities

• Nurture strong working relationships with the Executive, Senior Leadership Team, and colleagues involved in the delivery of the strategic change portfolio, to ensure that communication is front-and-centre of all change activity.
• To develop and maintain a Strategic Change Communications Plan: identifying what elements need to be communicated to who, when, in what order and with what dependencies.
• Work with subject matter experts to produce and disseminate no-nonsense, plain English communications that accurately reflect plans and forthcoming change activity.
• Promote and exemplify cross-team working by liaising with relevant colleagues and subject matter experts before deploying communications.
• Work closely with the Communications Manager, to ensure synergy between BAU company-wide communication planning and strategic change communication needs.
• Produce regular status updates to various company forums, on the work of change communications - to ensure accountability and visibility of work.
• Ensure internal communication messages are consistent and in line with the MDU strategy and brand across all mediums and for different departments across the organisation.
• Collaborate with the Chief Information Officer, IT leadership team and Business Relationship Managers – and take the lead in authoring company-wide IT communications relating to incidents and updates.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and keep them informed of progress to key milestones.
• Uses fresh thinking, creative ideas, turning complex information into clear proposals and engaging content for internal audience.
• Work closely with the Emergency Response Team (ERT) to handle the internal communication response to crisis situations which affect the operation and/or reputation of the organisation.
• In conjunction with the Communications Manager, deputise for the Head of Department on the Emergency Response Team as required.
• To support the training and development of MDU colleagues in communication best practice.
• Support the promotion, maintenance and growth of the MDU intranet - Synapse
• Support the wider work of the Strategic Communications Team during periods of heightened activity: working with public affairs, media relations and internal communications as required.

Qualifications and skills

• Experience in relevant communications roles – preferably with involvement in change management and delivery.
• Experience in a similar role, where crafting communications strategy and plans are central.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills with experience in writing for a variety of different audiences.
• An ability to take technical and complex content, and turn it into compelling, understandable and helpful communications. A no-nonsense, no-waffle communicator!
• Strong interpersonal skills including influencing, negotiating, and relationship-building with the ability to deal confidently with senior colleagues and explain communication techniques to them.
• Ability to gain credibility quickly in dealing with and advising senior colleagues.
• Strong speaking/presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Exceptional attention to detail, organisation and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable dealing with change, ambiguity, and conflicting priorities
• Experience of employee engagement activities
• Understands stakeholder communications, internal communications and employee engagement best practice.

Key outputs and measures

• Strategic Change Communications Plan
• Crisis Communications and Incident Plan
• Monthly status report of communication needs across the change portfolio

You may also have experience in the following: Communications Officer, Internal Communications, CRM, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, Communications Executive, Communications Assistant, Degree, Graduate Public Affairs Officer, Senior Public Affairs Officer, Campaigns Officer, Policy Officer, Community Engagement, Public Relations Officer, Communications Advisor, Communications Officer, Public Relations Executive, Campaign Officer, Stakeholder Management, Relationship Management etc.

REF-(Apply online only)