Internal Communications Manager

Wickes are a digitally led, service enabled organisation with a project in every home.

Are you looking for your next opportunity within Internal Communications?  Would you enjoy the pace and energy of a retail environment which is collaborative, fun and inclusive where people feel part of a winning team? Do you enjoy the benefits of working together in person as a team blended with the flexibility of remote working?

If the answer to the above is ‘yes’ then Wickes is the place for you!

As our Internal Communications Manager within our distribution side of the business your role will be to  achieve high engagement and build Wickes’s reputation. You’ll provide regular, engaging communication to inform, inspire and involve Wickes colleagues that work in our Distribution centre. 

You’ll be responsible for creating and delivering clear, timely and engaging internal communications that are coordinated and efficient, and focused on promoting Wickes’s strategic aims and objectives.

As Internal Communications Manager.  you’ll play a vital role in ensuring that our colleagues are communicated to effectively across the Distribution centre. Given the nature of the work our colleagues do in the Distribution Centre, it is more of a challenge to engage with them to the same degree with what it is like to work at Wickes than in other parts of the business. Your role will be key in establishing the lines of communications with all shifts and teams, and you’ll spend a significant proportion of your time interacting with colleagues to build this level of trust and understanding.

Key Accountabilities:

• Assist with the communication of key business messages and ensure they are reaching all colleagues, as well as messages that the Distribution Leadership team wish to communicate

• Establish rhythms and routines of communication and use colleague feedback to improve channels of communication

• Drive the I&D agenda and will be able to play back the key messages and themes to colleagues and managers at all levels of the business, with a specific remit to build the understanding and engagement in this topic

• Ensure consistency in messages and act as the gatekeeper in this regard, working closely with the Internal Comms Team to ensure this is managed appropriately

• Drive participation of the engagement survey and lead the results and actions process. 

• Support with key communications planning on key distribution programmes 

• Be the lead charity coordinator, and will look to engage colleagues at all levels in our nominated charities and events

• Support and coordinate Events within Distribution including Divisional road shows, Christmas parties, Driver of the year awards, etc

What are we looking for:

• This role would suit somebody who has at least 3-4 years experience in communications

• Experience within a Distribution network is highly desirable. You'll need to be comfortable in a warehouse environment 

• A Polish speaker is preferred but if you have experience in a communications role which has involved communicating to colleagues whose first language hasn't been English this would be highly desired

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills,  able to communicate with colleagues at all grades (particularly at lower levels), and confident to be able to ‘initiate’ the conversations

• You'll be highly credible within the Distribution network, and will be quickly seen across both main sites as a ‘point of contact’ and support. 

• Willing to attend shifts across the piece, and able to accommodate this within your working week

What can we offer you?

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us 

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes 

• Competitive bonus

• Save-as-you-earn scheme

• Private Medical and Life Assurance

• Contributory pension scheme

• Colleague discount 

• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. 

We have recently re-opened our sites in Watford and Northampton, where our Communications  team are based, along with our other support functions.  We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working. 

About Us: 

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  

But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

Please note: All offers of employment are subject to DBS / background checks.