Internal Communications Business Partner

Pennon Group; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive Salary & Benefits Package

Annual Bonus Scheme

Pension Scheme

Hybrid Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts

Annual Leave Allowance

Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

South West Water is seeking an experienced Internal Communications Business Partner. You will develop and deliver strategic internal communications plans that align with business objectives and engage colleagues across the group.

You will work with senior leaders, HR teams and stakeholders to ensure clear, consistent, and impactful messaging, supporting organisational change and shaping a culture of transparency and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience developing and implementing internal communication strategies.
• Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and providing strategic communications advice.
• Strong track record of supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Excellent content creation and storytelling skills across multiple formats and channels.
• Experience managing intranets, newsletters, digital communication platforms and social channels.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging and accessible communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver internal communication strategies that support business priorities and organisational objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders to create impactful communication plans and provide expert communications advice.
• Support business transformation and change programmes through effective colleague communications.
• Create engaging content across a range of channels including intranet, newsletters, video, social platforms and leadership communications.
• Draft executive messages, presentations, town hall materials and leadership updates.
• Drive colleague engagement initiatives that reinforce our values, culture and purpose.
• Use colleague feedback, survey results and communication analytics to shape and continuously improve communication activity.
• Manage and optimise internal communication channels to maximise reach and engagement.
• Support crisis and operational communications by ensuring timely, accurate messaging.
• Build strong relationships across the business and act as a trusted communications partner.

Skills

Internal comm strategy

Written communication

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Content creation

Digital channels

Project management

Simplified messaging

Education

CIPR or IoIC qualification

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Internal Communications Business Partner

South West Water

Shape the Conversation. Drive Engagement. Inspire Change.

Communication is at the heart of creating a connected, engaged and informed workforce. We're looking for an experienced Internal Communications Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in bringing our strategy, culture and values to life across the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who thrives on building relationships, influencing senior stakeholders and creating engaging content that makes a real impact.

The Role

As Internal Communications Business Partner, you will develop and deliver strategic communication plans that align with business objectives and support colleague engagement across the group.

Working closely with senior leaders, HR teams and key stakeholders, you'll act as a trusted advisor, ensuring communications are clear, consistent and engaging. You'll also play an important role in supporting organisational change, strengthening two-way communication and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver internal communication strategies that support business priorities and organisational objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders to create impactful communication plans and provide expert communications advice.
• Support business transformation and change programmes through effective colleague communications.
• Create engaging content across a range of channels including intranet, newsletters, video, social platforms and leadership communications.
• Draft executive messages, presentations, town hall materials and leadership updates.
• Drive colleague engagement initiatives that reinforce our values, culture and purpose.
• Use colleague feedback, survey results and communication analytics to shape and continuously improve communication activity.
• Manage and optimise internal communication channels to maximise reach and engagement.
• Support crisis and operational communications by ensuring timely, accurate messaging.
• Build strong relationships across the business and act as a trusted communications partner.

About You

You’ll be an experienced internal communications professional with a proven ability to influence stakeholders and deliver communications that drive engagement and understanding.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience developing and implementing internal communication strategies.
• Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and providing strategic communications advice.
• A strong track record of supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Excellent content creation and storytelling skills across multiple formats and channels.
• Experience managing intranets, newsletters, digital communication platforms and social channels.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging and accessible communications.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within utilities or another highly regulated industry.
• Knowledge of employee engagement measurement tools and communication analytics.
• Experience with digital communication platforms, video content and social media tools.
• CIPR, IoIC or other recognised communications qualification.

Our Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our
Internal Communications Business Partner you’ll enjoy:

What we offer

• Attractive Salary & Benefits Package
• Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
• Hybrid Working – A blend of office and home working, supporting flexibility while maintaining collaboration with your team
• Employee Assistance Programme – Supporting your wellbeing
• Employee Discounts – Access to discounts on a range of products and services
• Annual Leave Allowance – Giving you time to rest and recharge
• Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme – Flexibility to purchase additional holiday or sell unused leave to suit your lifestyle
• Career Development Opportunities – Supporting your ongoing growth and development

Why Join South West Water?

At South West Water, you'll have the opportunity to shape communications that reach thousands of colleagues, influence business outcomes and contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture. If you're passionate about employee engagement, strategic communications and making a tangible impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 26th November 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.