Change Communications Manager

Thames Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking a Change Communications Manager for a 12-month fixed-term contract, offering a salary of up to £60,000. The successful candidate will work closely with leadership teams to develop effective change communication strategies. This hybrid role, based in Reading, demands strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, along with a solid background in change communications. Join us to make a significant impact in a dynamic work environment while contributing to our mission of sustainable water management.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual Leave - 26 days, increasing with service

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Personal Medical Assessments

Various health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Strong previous track record in change communications is essential.
• Excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Familiarity with MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Building and delivering change communications strategy.
• Ensuring the right information reaches the right people.
• Supporting the development of communication channels.
• Aligning internal and external messaging.
• Managing relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Measuring the success of communications.
• Collaborating with the wider communications team.

Skills

Change communications expertise

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Strong written English

Design skills

Video editing skills

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Job description

Every day, we provide 2.6 billion litres of fresh drinking water through over 20,000 miles of pipes, and takeaway 4.6 billion litres in wastewater through over 70,000 miles of sewers. This is carried out by a team of more than 8,000 people across the organisation, working 24/7, 365 days a year.

We know, in the current climate, that’s not easy – but we have a plan and a team of driven people who want to make a difference and turn our company around. It’s an exciting challenge for the whole business.

That’s where we need help. We’re looking for an experienced Change communications pro to join the team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This role will support Finance, Commercial, Procurement and PMO functions which are going through a significant level of organisational change – roles and responsibilities of the team, their systems and their processes. The leaders of the function are looking for help in delivering this change through communications. The role will involve working with the leaders and colleagues across the business to build and deliver engaging change communications that improve awareness and understanding of change and the future for this function.

This role fits within a matrix structure, sitting within the internal comms team but working day to day with Finance & Commercial.

We’re celebrating when things are going well – as well as keeping people up to date when it’s not. It’s all about showing we’re making progress on our purpose, priorities and values.

It’s a tough road here at Thames Water but we’re a purpose driven team who are making a difference and getting the business back on track.

What you will be doing as the Change Communications Manager

• Working with Leadership teams and colleagues across the organisation to build and deliver the appropriate change communications strategy that lives the culture we are trying to build with this change.
• Making sure we’re getting the right information to the right people, in the right way and at the right time, particularly the way we communicate organisational and operational change.
• Supporting the development and delivery of other communication channels; making sure they’re fit for purpose and regularly reviewed as well as looking for opportunities to do things better through digital channels (i.e. intranet, social media, E-newsletters, digital screens etc).
• Working with colleagues across the Corporate Communications team to make sure all our messaging is lined up. What we say inside, reflects what we say outside.
• Managing relationships with internal stakeholders to build trust and confidence in the business.
• Measuring what you’re doing so we can make sure stuff is landing the way we want it to and change it if it isn’t.
• Working closely with the wider communications team so we’re all delivering the overarching business communication priorities and the overall Communication Strategy for Thames Water.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• A strong previous track record in change communications is essential.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills.
• An excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Be familiar with MS office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Design and video editing skills would be a bonus.

Base location - Hybrid - Reading

Base location - Hybrid - Reading

What’s in it for you?

An opportunity to join a company that offers its employees a rewarding career path, allowing individuals to reach their full potential. This is an exciting time to join Thames Water as we continue to deliver our innovative turnaround plan.

• Competitive salary of up to £60,000 per annum, depending on your experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay is directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Wate

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.