Employee Comms Manager

10-12 Month Fixed Term Contract (MAT Cover)

At Thames Water, we’re here ‘to deliver life's essential service, so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive'. It’s what drives us. It's the reason we all get out of bed in the morning and come to work at Thames.

Every day, we provide 2.6 billion litres of fresh drinking water through over 20,000 miles of pipes, and take away 4.6 billion litres in wastewater through over 70,000 miles of sewers. This is carried out by a team of more than 9,000 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. We’re all focused on delivering the biggest upgrade in 150 years. A lot is going on, and it’s an exciting challenge for the whole business.

That’s where we need help. One of our team members will soon be taking maternity leave, and we're looking for an experienced internal communications professional to provide cover during this important time for them and their family.

This role focuses on our main internal communications channel delivery – our weekly Poppulo-based newsletter, our Intranet home page, plus other channel support when needed. You will also be partnering with our Charity team, our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion teams and networks, our Apprenticeship and Grad schemes and finally, our Strategic Water Resources team who are focused on delivering the new White Horse Reservoir. It’s a busy role.

You’ll work with leaders and colleagues across the business to build and deliver engaging communications that improve awareness and understanding of ‘the Thames Water story’, and all the different operational improvements that come from that. You’ll also be part of the wider internal comms team and support on our ‘business as usual’ communications and the work we’re doing on our main business priorities.

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.

Location - Hybrid, Reading, London or Swindon

What you will be doing as Internal Communications Manager

• Owning and delivering our regular channels and supporting the wider team with how to make the most of these channels
• Working with teams and colleagues across the organisation to build and deliver engaging internal communication plans and content to drive clear understanding of our transformation plan, our new ways of working, how we’re making it happen, our progress, targets and results
• Making sure we’re getting the right information to the right people, in the right way and at the right time
• Supporting the development and delivery of our 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
• Working with colleagues across the Corporate Communications team to make sure all our messaging is lined up.

What you should bring to the role

• A previous track record of communications, change and campaign handling essential - extensive experience: Internal communications or communications consultancy preferred
• Experience working with the Poppulo platform
• Experience in video creation and editing would be advantageous
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills
• An excellent standard of written and spoken English
• Be familiar with Microsoft Office ( Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)

What’s in it for you?
This is an excellent opportunity to join Thames Water's dynamic communications team. You will be part of a passionate and talented group of individuals, where you will develop your skills and play a key role in communicating our exciting journey

• Competitive salary of £48,400 per annum, depending on 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 (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

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.

Working at Thames Water
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.