Internal Communications Manager

12-month Maternity Cover - Fixed Term Contract

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 8,000 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.  It’s an exciting challenge for the whole business. That’s where we need help.  We’re looking for an experienced internal & change communications pro to join the team that’s going to make it happen.

Our Retail team are working with customers each and every day - answering their questions, working with them to save water and money, helping them out when they need it most.  They do that in a variety of ways, including over the phone, emails, web chat, etc. 

Retail is one of our biggest functions, and you’ll be working with senior stakeholders to deliver our communications strategy to support the Retail leadership team as we turn around our business.   With a focus on transforming the way we communicate change, you’ll be working closely with our Business Resilience team with a dotted line into the Knowledge & Business Readiness Lead.

You’ll work with leaders and colleagues across the business to build and deliver engaging communications that improve awareness and understanding of ‘the Retail 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. You'll be working on a vast array of exciting projects, so your days are never the same - from an office move, to personas, to our wall of challenge.  There's lots to get your teeth into.  

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.

What you will be doing as Internal Communications Manager

• Working with the Retail Leadership team 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 – including to third-party contractors when appropriate – particularly the way we communicate organisational and operational change
•  Designing and delivering colleague events, workshops and conferences; large-scale and smaller function-based events 
• 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 (i.e. intranet, social media, E-newsletters, digital screens, etc.)
• Managing relationships with internal stakeholders to build trust and confidence in the business
• Working closely with the wider communications team so we’re all delivering the overarching business communication priorities and the overall Communication Strategy for Thames Water.

Base location - Hybrid with 2 days a week split between Reading and Swindon sites.

What should you bring to the role?

• A strong previous track record of communications, change and campaign handling is essential – extensive experience in internal communications or communications consultancy experience preferred.
• Experience in video creation and editing is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills and an excellent standard of written and spoken English.

What’s in it for you? 

• Competitive salary of £48,000 - £50,000 per annum
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

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.