Internal Communications Manager – AR

Job Details

Interim internal communications manager – six months

Service: Communications

Location: Hybrid (some time per week in Gateshead Civic Centre)

Line manager: Head of Communications and Engagement

What we want you to do…

To lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive internal communications and colleague engagement strategy that supports Gateshead Council’s strategic priorities and organisational culture.

You will play a key role in strengthening how we communicate with, listen to and engage our workforce, ensuring colleagues are informed, involved and connected to the Council’s vision and priorities.

You will also lead improvements to internal communication channels, ensuring they are effective, accessible and aligned to colleague needs.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the development and delivery of a Council-wide colleague engagement strategy, aligned to organisational priorities and cultural ambitions.
  • Act as the strategic lead for internal communications, advising senior leaders, directors and elected members on best practice approaches.
  • Design and deliver engagement campaigns and initiatives that improve staff understanding, involvement and pride in the organisation.
  • Review, modernise and optimise all internal communication channels (e.g. intranet, email, leadership comms, face-to-face engagement), ensuring they are effective and user-focused.
  • Develop a clear internal communications framework, including governance, planning, evaluation and messaging consistency.
  • Lead on major organisational communications, including transformation programmes, change activity and corporate priorities.
  • Use insight and data (e.g. staff surveys, analytics) to shape activity and measure impact, embedding continuous improvement.
  • Ensure all communications are clear, inclusive and accessible
  • Work collaboratively with HR/OD and senior leadership to align communications with workforce engagement and culture change activity.
  • Build strong relationships across the organisation and with partners to support communication objectives.
  • Provide leadership during reputational or organisational issues, ensuring colleagues are informed and supported.
  • Undertake other duties commensurate with the seniority of the role.

What you need to be successful…

The knowledge

Essential:

  • Internal communications and employee engagement strategy development
  • Best practice in organisational communications and change comms
  • Effective use of multi-channel internal communications approaches
  • Understanding of large, complex organisations. Understanding the public sector context would be an advantage

The qualifications

Essential:

  • Degree/professional qualification in communications, PR, marketing or related discipline, or equivalent experience

The experience

Essential:

  • Leading and delivering internal communications and engagement strategies at a senior level
  • Advising senior leaders and stakeholders on strategic communications (scaled up from officer-level advice in your base role)
  • Managing organisational change communications and complex programmes
  • Developing and improving internal communication channels and platforms
  • Using insight, analytics and benchmarking to measure and demonstrate impact
  • Creating clear, engaging content and translating complex information into accessible messages
  • Leading cross-organisational projects and delivering through others
  • Building strong relationships and influencing at senior level

Desirable:

  • Experience in local government or a similarly complex public sector organisation
  • Experience managing teams or leading a function