Internal Communications Manager

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Whether we are helping an individual plan their career, working on salary reviews or planning car parking,  our objective is to satisfy the needs of our clients – the people who work for Shoosmiths. As with all the support departments, HR and Estates Management play a pivotal role in the effective operation of the firm. Many within the team undertake responsibility for both areas and the team is headed up by a single director.

The purpose of this role is to develop a comprehensive internal communications service to deliver the Firm’s strategic messages and provide all staff with regular, meaningful and consistent information about activity across the Firm.  This is a key role working with the HR Director and the senior leadership team of the Firm in communicating a sense of purpose reflecting the Firm’s business aims and values across the Firm as well as managing change effectively. 

Key duties will include scoping and overseeing the delivery of campaigns, change programmes, employee engagement strategies, key announcements, employee communications and related events. Thereby helping the Firm to achieve its goals through enabling understanding and engagement.

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Provide strategic direction and leadership on the further development of the Firm’s internal communications strategy.  Translate strategic activity into messages and activities that are relevant at a departmental and individual level.
• Develop diverse communication channels, e.g. intranet, social media, print, digital screens, email as the appropriate means for communicating with staff depending on the nature and context of different communications.
• Deliver communications tailored to different internal audiences in such a way that the message can be communicated most effectively to specific stakeholder groups.
• Support new projects by providing specific and timely information to enable the Firm to engage stakeholders and bring about change in an effective manner. 
• Create a framework of clear and effective employee communications on a broad variety of topics to create a sense of shared purpose that is relevant to the working and non working lives of all staff.
• Provide communication tools and content to the Firm’s managers to develop a culture based on a consistent two-way flow of information.
• Provide clear and effective communication in response to crisis or emergency situations to reassure and guide staff.
• Measure the effectiveness of communication processes to assess whether they are meeting the needs of both the Firm’s leadership and its staff and develop improvements where necessary.
• Contribute to increasing employee engagement by measuring employee attitudes and developing strategies to respond to staff feedback and requirements which will ultimately increase staff engagement and performance.Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as requested by the HR Director.

Leadership on specific themes and issues

• Provide guidance to senior management on the manner in which messages and key themes are communicated to ensure consistency and clarity.
• Work collaboratively with the HR and Business Development teams to ensure consistent and joined up internal and external communications on key themes.
• Contribute to the HR team to ensure the effective delivery of changes to HR policies and practices.
• Business partnering key areas of the Firm and Board members, to translate business objectives and requirements into effective Internal Communication and Engagement strategies

Skills required

• Able to demonstrate a high level of commercial awareness along with an appreciation and knowledge of the key principles of translating business objectives into effective employee messaging.
• Experience of leading through change and implementing effective IC&E strategies that drive the necessary change.
• Ability to analyse and contextualise complex issues, identify key points to be addressed and develop effective, practical plans to resolve complex problems
• Effective interpersonal, management and communication skills, including the ability to write and present clear and concise professional communications to the senior population of the Firm.
• Experience of managing communications during times of crisis.
• Competent grasp of technology, especially digital and video means of communication, is essential.
• Experience of working in an organisation with large numbers of independent thinkers and demonstrating advanced influencing and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

Degree level or equivalent

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.