Senior Internal Communications Manager

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a Senior Internal Communications Manager to lead strategic communication initiatives across the organisation. You will design and deliver campaigns aligned to the wider communications strategy and act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, shaping messages for internal audiences.

You will build capability within the team, drive insight-led improvements from research, and mentor colleagues to strengthen succession planning while supporting a

Qualifications

• Experience delivering internal communications and campaigns with clear messaging.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• Understanding of reputational management and political context.
• Experience working through uncertainty and changing environments.
• Ability to translate research and data into actionable recommendations.
• Leadership skills with coaching and succession development.

Responsibilities

• Develop internal communications and campaigns aligned to the wider strategy.
• Act as trusted advisor to senior leaders to engage internal audiences.
• Gather intelligence, analyse engagement effectiveness, inform strategies.
• Provide leadership and line management within the internal communications function.

Skills

Stakeholder influence

People leadership

Campaign delivery

Strategic thinking

Insight & evaluation

Risk management

Job description

As our Senior Internal Communications Manager, you will

• Work with your team to develop internal communications and campaigns that are thoroughly planned and fully aligned to DWP’s wider communications strategy. These campaigns will look to innovate and break new ground, taking inspiration from ‘best in class internal communications.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing strategic advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders to make sure that their communications engage - and resonate with - our internal colleague audiences.
• Gather intelligence and insight and analyse the effectiveness of internal engagement to help inform current and future engagement strategies. We build two-way communication campaigns that engage our people and show we are listening to feedback.
• Provide exceptional leadership and line management, working collaboratively across the wider internal communications function and communications directorate. Develop internal communications talent and build robust succession plans.

Person specification

Experience Criteria for the Role

Internal communication and campaign delivery:

you can demonstrate how you bring together the right people to design and deliver engaging campaigns, with proven ability to craft clear, compelling messaging from complex source material and influence outcomes.

Strategic stakeholder influence and advice:

you have proven experience of confidently building trusted relationships with the most senior stakeholders across complex organisations to deliver positive communications and outcomes.

Reputational awareness:

you understand the political and organisational context that large organisations and their internal communications operate in and can confidently demonstrate how you use good judgement to handle sensitive issues.

Responding to uncertainty:

you can show your experience working through uncertainty and with incomplete information, being a flexible, confident and decisive member of the team who can work autonomously and help us to thrive even during changeable times.

Evaluation, insight and continuous improvement:

you can confidently demonstrate times when you have driven an insight-led culture in a team that has resulted in the translation of research and data into clear recommendations.

People leadership and building capability:

you can demonstrate how you have inspired improvement in those around you, coaching and developing colleagues with a focus on skills building and prioritising workloads.

We will ensure that you are fully supported and can develop your career as a skilled communications professional. DWP is committed to creating an organisation and workforce which is as diverse as the customers we serve. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of gender, race, disability, age or sexual orientation.