Change Communications Manager

University of Bedfordshire; Luton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Annual leave entitlement

Free fitness classes and gym

Flexible working

Personal and professional development

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

University of Bedfordshire is seeking a Change Communications Manager to lead the development and delivery of communications for the University's transformation programme and new strategy. You will work with autonomy, advising senior leaders and project teams, turning complex change into clear, engaging communications that staff and stakeholders can understand and connect with.

You will manage competing priorities across projects, develop communications plans and content, and evaluate impact,

Qualifications

• Significant experience of internal communications, employee engagement and supporting organisational change within a complex organisation.
• Experience working with senior leaders and project teams to develop strategic communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of communications supporting the University's transformation programme and new strategy.
• Provide strategic communications advice to senior leaders and project teams, turning change into clear communications.
• Build change communications capability across the organisation through training and guidance.

Skills

Internal communications

Employee engagement

Change management

Stakeholder management

Strategic communications

Content development

Education

Undergraduate qualification or equivalent

Professional qualification in change management or communications (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft SharePoint

Job description

About the Team

The Marketing & Communications directorate sits at the heart of a major institution-wide transformation programme and the delivery of the University's new strategy. Working in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, the team ensures staff, students, and wider stakeholders are informed, engaged, and connected to institutional priorities. The Communications team covers staff and student communications, media relations, corporate events, change communications, crisis communications, and leadership communications. We work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation to deliver clear, consistent, and impactful communications that support engagement and organisational change. This is an exciting time to join the team, with the opportunity to contribute to high-profile projects and play a key role in enabling successful transformation across the institution.

About the Role

This is a newly created role within the Communications team and an opportunity to play a key part in how the University communicates significant organisational change. As Change Communications Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of communications supporting the University's transformation programme and new strategy. You will work with a high degree of autonomy, providing strategic communications advice to senior leaders and project teams and turning complex change into clear, engaging communications that people can understand and connect with. You will manage competing priorities across a range of projects, develop communications plans and content, and evaluate the impact of communications activity. You will also help build change communications capability across the organisation through training, guidance and support.

We are looking for someone with significant experience of internal communications, employee engagement and supporting organisational change within a complex organisation. You will need excellent stakeholder management, influencing, planning and communication skills, with the confidence to work with senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation. You should hold an undergraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience. A professional qualification in change management, communications or a related discipline, or equivalent, is desirable. Experience within the higher education sector and knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint are also desirable.

If you are an experienced communications professional who understands how effective communication can help organisations navigate change, we would love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Ulrika Meegolla, Associate Director of Communications at [e-mail] . Interviews will be held on Tuesday 13 October. We kindly request that all applicants refrain from canvassing during the shortlisting process. Your applications will be thoroughly reviewed, and you will be contacted and informed of the outcome in due course.

The post will be based at Luton (hybrid, 3 days on campus), with travel to other campuses as required. The University is committed to equality of opportunity and values the diversity of all its workforce and student population. At the University of Bedfordshire, inclusivity is a key University value, and we are committed to creating an environment in which we celebrate and value the diversity of our staff and student community and provide fair opportunity and outcomes for all. We recognise that diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent and benefit from opportunities that the diversity of talent and thought creates. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the University of Bedfordshire's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds (particularly in roles in grades 7 and above), disabled people; LGBTQ+ people; and women in some senior grades. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We offer a range of employee benefits including a generous pension and annual leave entitlement, free fitness classes and gym membership, flexible working arrangements, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies.

£39,906 to £47,389. Grade 7