Transformation Communications & Engagement Lead

Rdi; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Arden University invites an experienced Transformation Communications and Engagement Lead to shape the narrative for the AI Transformation Programme. You will work with Internal Communications to create a clear story that helps colleagues and students understand the transformation and how they can contribute.

You will lead communications across multiple programmes, foster two-way participation, build networks, and use insight and data to drive engagement and change readiness.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading communications and engagement for large-scale organisational change or transformation.
• Proven track record delivering sustainable change across multiple workstreams.
• Strong knowledge of change management methodologies (Prosci, ADKAR, Kotter).
• Experience influencing senior leaders and stakeholders to communicate through uncertainty.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement, communications, adoption and change readiness.
• Experience designing meaningful two-way engagement and participation.
• Experience working with transformation, programme and change management teams.
• Experience leading or managing teams and developing high-performing cultures.
• Excellent writing, storytelling, facilitation, presentation and content development.
• Ability to translate complex strategies into clear narratives.
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical and organizational skills.
• Understanding of how insight and data can improve engagement.

Responsibilities

• Shape communication narrative for Arden AI Transformation Programme.
• Lead communications and engagement across multiple programmes.
• Create opportunities for two-way participation and colleague networks.
• Support leaders to communicate confidently through change.
• Use feedback and data to inform decisions and continually improve our approach.
• Collaborate with Internal Communications to engage staff and students.

Skills

Communications strategy

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Storytelling

Influencing senior leaders

Content development

Education

Change management qualification (APMG/Prosci/PRINCE2)

Job description

Salary: £59,660 - £70,507 per annum

London weighting: £4,000 per annum (if applicable)

Employment type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37

Reporting into: Director of Transformation

Department: Transformation

This role operates on a hybrid working arrangement, combining remote working with attendance at our agreed Arden campus or office. This may fluctuate in line with business requirements. Our hybrid working arrangements are a non-contractual benefit, and an Arden work location will be included in your employment contract.

About Arden University:

We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations.

About our Department:

The Transformation team is leading the Arden AI Transformation Programme, helping shape how the University works, delivers education and supports its people and students. Working across the organisation, the team brings together colleagues and programmes to turn our transformation ambitions into meaningful and sustainable change.

About the Opportunity:

As Transformation Communications and Engagement Lead, you will shape the narrative and engagement approach that brings Arden’s AI Transformation Programme to life. Working closely with Internal Communications, you’ll develop a clear, compelling story that helps colleagues and students understand the transformation, what it means for them and how they can contribute.

You’ll lead communications and engagement across multiple programmes, creating opportunities for genuine two-way participation, building colleague networks and supporting leaders to communicate confidently through change. You’ll also use feedback, insight and data to understand engagement, inform decisions and continually improve our approach.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how transformation is understood, experienced and embedded across the University.

About You:

We’re looking for an experienced communications and engagement professional with a strong background in leading communications through complex organisational change. You’ll be a confident storyteller and strategic adviser, able to turn complex ideas into clear, engaging messages, build trusted relationships and create meaningful opportunities for people to influence change.

Essential Requirements:

• Significant experience leading communications and engagement for large-scale organisational change or transformation.


• Proven track record of delivering sustainable change across multiple workstreams.


• Strong understanding of recognised change management methodologies, such as Prosci, ADKAR or Kotter.


• Experience influencing senior leaders and stakeholders, supporting authentic communication through uncertainty and change.


• Expertise in stakeholder engagement, communications, adoption and change readiness.


• Experience designing meaningful two-way engagement and participation.


• Experience working alongside transformation, programme and change management teams.


• Experience leading or managing teams and developing high-performing cultures.


• Excellent writing, storytelling, facilitation, presentation and content-development skills.


• Ability to translate complex strategies and programmes into clear, compelling narratives.


• Strong stakeholder management, analytical and organisational skills.


• Understanding of how insight, data and feedback can improve engagement and adoption.

Desirable Requirements:

• A relevant qualification such as APMG Change Management, Prosci, Agile PM, PRINCE2, APM PMQ or MSP.


• Experience delivering digital, technology, AI or organisational transformation programmes.


• Experience working in higher education or similarly complex environments.


• Knowledge of benefits realisation and portfolio management approaches.

Why Arden:

At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits. Employees benefit from:

• 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!


• A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%


• BUPA Cash Plan


• Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles)


• Access to Perkbox benefits


• Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends


• Plus, other excellent benefits


• Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education

Our Values:

Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines and locations.

Closing Date: 17th November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.

If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:

Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate via the application form below. By doing so, you are also consenting for this information to be shared with the hiring team. For more details on what qualifies as a disability under the Disability Equality Act 2010, please refer to the guidance here.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.

Sponsorship statement:

Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa, or fulfil the criteria we have for providing sponsorship. However we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.

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