Head of Internal Communications and Engagement (2152)

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.

Are you a strategic communications leader with a passion for driving engagement and fostering a united organisational culture? 

Do you thrive in complex environments, building strong relationships and delivering impactful communication strategies? If so, we want you to join us as Head of Internal Communications and Engagement and play a pivotal role in delivering our ambitious "Together for Animal Welfare" strategy.

We're looking for a Head of Internal Communications and Engagement to join us on a permanent basis. 

• Contract: Permanent 
• Working hours: 35 hours per week; Monday - Friday. 
• Location: Hybrid-  You will mostly work from home but there is a requirement to work at our London and / or Horsham offices a couple of times a month, in order to attend key meetings in person. The role will also involve national travel to our branch locations on a quarterly basis.

As Head of Internal Communications and Engagement, you will be the driving force behind our internal narrative, ensuring our diverse audiences are informed, engaged, and inspired by our purpose. 

You will lead the development and execution of an audience focused, insight led internal communications and engagement plan, that aligns seamlessly with our organisational strategy and external messaging.

The role of Head of Internal Communications and Engagement is a key role within our Marketing and Communications team and will take the lead on designing and delivering a compelling internal communications strategy that articulates our "Together for Animal Welfare" strategy, whilst fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

We will look to you to: 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Directors, and Senior colleagues across all departments, including our extensive branch network.
• Lead on communications for organisational change and transformation initiatives, ensuring clarity and buy in from all stakeholders.
• Lead, develop and mentor the Internal Communications and Engagement team, whilst championing a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Develop and implement effective communication channels, including evolving and optimising our new intranet, leadership cascade, and newsletters, ensuring best practice governance and GDPR compliance.
• Craft compelling narratives that resonate with our diverse audiences, ensuring all communications align with our award winning brand and strategic priorities.
• Lead and manage crisis communications, whilst adapting to emerging issues and challenges with confidence and composure.
• Live and breathe the RSPCA brand, ensuring all internal communications reinforce our values and culture.
• Continuously evaluate and improve communication channels and strategies based on data and feedback.

In order to succeed within this pivotal role, it is essential that the post holder can demonstrate that they are a strong strategic thinker, with the ability to see the bigger picture and to ensure they are always telling the story that aligns with our  strategic aims. 

Our Head of Internal Communications and Engagement must be able to demonstrate that they have a strong background in both engagement and internal communications. 

They must have previous experience of launching or introducing a new communications channel that has delivered a much more successful internal communications offering, such as a new intranet, which has transformed the organisational culture and supported the delivery of the organisational strategy. 

To be successful, applicants must also demonstrate that they have:

• Proven experience in a strategic internal communications role, ideally within a complex, multi-faceted organisation.
• Experience devising and delivering an impactful internal communications strategy.
• Experience of working within or closely with a marketing and communications team. 
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build trust at all levels.
• A proven ability to listen to and solve problems. 
• Strong leadership skills, with a proven track record of managing and developing high performing teams.
• Experience in launching and implementing successful internal communication new intranet platforms.
• Expertise in developing strategic narratives and creating clarity in ambiguous situations.
• A deep understanding of brand and its role in shaping organisational culture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Experience in managing crisis communications.
• Experience working with CEO, COO and other leadership and senior colleagues and of working with the People and Culture function, with an understanding of the employee experience and its importance.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills, with the ability to manage risk effectively.
• A passion for our mission and a commitment to animal welfare.

If you have this mix of skills and experience and you would like to deliver a communications and an engagement plan that supports the strategic aim of making the RSPCA a great place to work and volunteer, please apply today. 

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

First stage interviews will take place remotely on Friday the 2nd of May. 

Second stage interviews will be held in London during the week commencing the 5th of May.

The process will involve two panel interviews, a presentation and the completion of psychometric assessments. 

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect