Job Description

Job Title:

Communications Manager

Location:

London/Hybrid (Typically 2/3 days in the office)

Type:

Full time - Permanent (If you are a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please do still get in touch)


At Ardonagh Specialty, we provide much more than just a workplace. We are dedicated to fostering skill development and knowledge within a team that is passionate about their work, values their Employees, and truly celebrates diversity.


Working at Ardonagh Specialty means you'll be part of The Ardonagh Group. We are proud of our innovative environment offering many opportunities for growth across the wider group. Employees regularly move between our united teams, and we encourage you to make your role your own.


Our offices are lively and exciting places to be, but we understand that life needs flexibility, and offer a genuinely flexible approach to working. If you are looking to join a thriving, energetic business with exciting plans, this role could be an ideal fit for you.

What we can offer:

We offer much more than just an inclusive culture with apprenticeships, study support, participation in our annual Spotlight Awards, Community Trust, Sports Teams, office socials, events and so much more. All of this with a supportive management team as well as working alongside some of the industry's top talent.


You'll have access to wellbeing programs, fantastic discounts across many big-name businesses including supermarkets, gym memberships, restaurants, and healthcare cash plans etc.

Further perks of working with us (Fixed benefits):

Employer pension contribution of 10% (providing you, the Employee provides 5%).

Good work life balance - flexibility to suit you.

Competitive salary.

Life Assurance at X4 of your base salary.

Group Income Protection.

Generous Annual Leave entitlement.

Private Medical Insurance.

Group annual bonus scheme.

The Communications Manager will help develop and deliver the most effective content and channels strategy to deliver our communications campaigns to colleagues across Ardonagh Specialty and Price Forbes.


Working closely with the Marketing & Communications Director, the Communications Manager will help shape and support the delivery of communications campaigns, events and culture initiatives to drive positive employee engagement and build the reputation of Ardonagh's Specialty platform.


This role will be tasked with bringing the communications team's editorial strategy to life through the creation of compelling content which reinforces the corporate narrative and builds audience engagement. The Communications Manager will work with colleagues across the business to drive and develop content that is tailored appropriately to the target audiences and will act as an ambassador of our communications channels and advise on the best tactics for the delivery of campaigns as required. Overall, you will evaluate the reach, efficiency, and effectiveness of channels in achieving strategic objectives.


You come with proven copywriting skills, knowledge of communications channels, social media and experience managing or being a key contributor of a company intranet. You are able to turn business requirements into compelling and coherent communications activity as well as identifying and executing on untapped engagement opportunities you spot yourself. Strong stakeholder engagement and educating skills are necessary across all levels, and you will be comfortable articulating channels and editorial strategy to colleagues who may not be familiar with this.

The role has accountability across a range of disciplines:

Communications and Engagement

Deliver internal communications and engagement activity and campaigns for Ardonagh's Specialty platform Proactively create/curate content across a range of topics, seeking opportunities for storytelling to drive employee engagement and advocacy across our portfolio of businesses Develop and deliver engaging and purposeful communications plans for Enabling functions and projects as required Support the process of communications scheduling across the business to ensure smooth flow of traffic and aligned messages Work alongside the wider Ardonagh Group corporate affairs team on the delivery of campaigns and events. Conceptualise and deliver news and content and maintains accurate information about Specialty and its brands across communications channels - internal and external. Act as a general liaison and subject matter expert for communications activity across the business, ensuring local level activity is aligned with overarching strategy, messaging and scheduling

Channels

Support in ensuring all internal channels is up to date and accurate at all times, ensuring Company information, resources and distribution lists/users groups are kept current; and leading other channel owners to do the same. Support in the management and continuous improvement of email channels ensuring they are fit for purpose, engaging and best practice. Monitor measurement analytics as relevant across all channels, using insights to provide counsel to senior leadership and other stakeholders and to inform strategic decisions across the Communications team.

Brand

Supports Ardonagh Specialty's strategic narrative and visual brand across all internal and external channels, advising stakeholders on best use and providing accurate, high-quality information to be used for external purposes. You will work closely with our PR agency ensuring internal and external communications are aligned Supports the execution of opportunities to build the reputation of Ardonagh Specialty including participation in industry events and initiatives and entry into industry awards. Supports the mitigation of negative impacts to the reputation of Ardonagh Specialty and its trading brands. You will build relationships with internal stakeholders to find out about new initiatives, unearthing potential stories and generating PR ideas, always ensuring consistent, coherent and on-brand messaging.

Events

Supports in the delivery of live and virtual events in line with business demand and strategic priorities Work with the wider communities within Specialty e.g. Inclusion & Belonging and Charitable Committees on the continuous development of annual events calendar

Brand and reputation

Lead by example and support the wider team to proactively manage our strategic narrative and visual brand across all internal and external channels, advising stakeholders on best use and providing accurate, high-quality information to be used for external purposes. Help proactively monitors for and mitigates of negative impacts to the reputation of Ardonagh Specialty and its trading brands across internal and external activity, decision making and communications. Maintain an excellent understanding of the tone of voice, visual brand and organisational structure of Ardonagh Specialty and Price Forbes.

Key Role Accountabilities:

Deliver the communications team's editorial strategy, bringing to life through the management of our key channels and the creation of compelling content which reinforces the corporate narrative and builds audience engagement Deliver the communications and engagement campaigns for a range of initiatives and projects including (but not limited to) the internal launch of our new digital capabilities, launch of new colleague podcast series, employee engagement survey and a new peer to peer recognition service Work with project teams and senior leadership to deliver engaging and purposeful communications plans Develop and deliver engagement initiatives that address key challenges at a segment level and support the continuous improvement of a positive working culture Support in delivery of day-to-day content management across employee communications channels, actively finding and creating engaging content and stories from across the business each week Work with the Senior Communications Executive to advise, design and deliver the continuous improvement of internal communications channels, websites and social media. Support stakeholders to maintain and update content across channels both as a requested and as part of proactive maintenance Contribute to the management of the platform communications schedule, working with key stakeholders across the business to ensure smooth flow of traffic and aligned messages Provide ongoing strategic and operational communications and engagement counsel to support individual teams including how to develop, maintain and best utilise existing channels including Engage. Build and maintain effective relationships across the business to encourage flow of information to the communications team Flexible working approach within a multi discipline team - "sleeves rolled up" approach to collective goals

Qualifications & Experience:

This role would suit a second/third job communications professional looking for a challenging role to further broaden their experience in a fast-faced, growing, multi-site, multi-disciplined organisation
Proven track record executing internal communications and employee engagement in complex, multi-site, national business with a divisionalised structure, ideally within financial services


Superb communications skills - written (e.g. news writing, speeches and presentations) and verbal (e.g. from 1:1 to audience briefings) - effective across diverse audiences



Able to initiate, innovate and continuously improve, formulating ideas and activity from scratch on a range of projects and directing resource to execute efficiently




Confident in both planning and leading strategic initiatives and taking a hands-on approach to delivery with meticulous attention to detail especially in high pressure situations


Confident and comfortable with a fast pace of delivery; can manage multiple priorities at once and can deliver high quality solutions against a backdrop of ambiguity and changing priorities


Adaptable and proactive content creator and curator - can confidently write across a range of topics, seek new angles and opportunities for storytelling, while also delivering concise and clear instructional content as required Excellent understanding of internal communications and employee engagement theory with the ability to creatively turn ideas into compelling and relevant deliverables which deliver business impact and drive desired employee behaviour


Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills at all organisational levels from frontline employee through to exec and board


Confident and convincing, gives sound counsel and advice



Strong quality control skills - exception proofing, writing, sign off and distribution skill with meticulous attention to detail especially in high pressure situations


Proficient in Microsoft Office and experience in working with colleague communications apps and email distribution platforms beneficial Able to learn and quickly adopt new technical skills pertinent to role


Knowledge and understanding of channels management practices and techniques in a multi-disciplined, geographically displaced organisation


Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage and execute a large number of projects and tasks simultaneously

Person Specification:

Self-motivated and self-sufficient - can formulate and anticipate solutions to multiple scenarios without information or direction Superb communications skills - written (e.g. news writing, speeches and presentations, press releases) and verbal (e.g. from 1:1 to audience briefings) - effective across diverse audiences Sociable and amiable - ability to develop relationships quickly both internally and externally and manage big personalities Pragmatic and resilient - ability to bounce back from changes in direction/requirements and negative feedback; able to assess and manage difficult relationships and high expectations Able to initiate and innovate, formulating ideas for content and engagement activity from scratch on a range of projects on a daily basis An excellent communicator with presence and the ability to influence and change and take ownership of a room "Can do" - problem solving, innovative, make it happen Attention to detail, yet also with the organisational experience and maturity to see what is achievable within the bigger picture Able to manage and seamlessly execute multiple priorities on a daily basis, hardworking, comfortable and flexible with ambiguity and changing priorities Results and quality oriented, ability to work quickly with minimal error Articulate, precise and quick in thought and response. Committed, delivery driven with high energy and resilience. Integrity, with the highest personal standards Understand internal and external stakeholders' needs

Think you don't meet every requirement?

We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can thrive . If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't perfectly match what we are looking for, please apply anyway. You might just be the right fit for the job, or other opportunities we may have within the wider Group.

Interview Process:

At Ardonagh Specialty, we have a straightforward interview process to ensure the best fit for both you and the company:


Submit your application with your CV, emphasising your skills and experience related to the job. Our Talent Acquisition team will then arrange a call where they can tell you more about the role and the team. We want to learn about your motivation and goals, what you can bring to Ardonagh Specialty, and answer any immediate questions. If successful, you will generally be invited to engage in a 1-hour interview with the Hiring Manager and selected team members, via teams or in person. We will discuss our technologies, key skills, and team dynamics and provide further opportunity to ask any questions. This is your chance to voice your thoughts on the role and we will outline our expectations and ensure this role aligns with your ambitions for the future. Depending on the role, you may be invited to attend a second stage interview with further members of the team.


If successful or unsuccessful, we always try and move quickly in presenting an offer or providing feedback.

We truly value the diversity of our teams and as a Group, we are committed to supporting and welcoming individuals from all backgrounds, as we appreciate every perspective is a significant part of our success. Should you require any reasonable adjustment throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let a member of the Talent team know.

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