Head of Communications

**Head of Communications**

**Responsibilities**

To develop, manage and deliver an annual communications plan ensuring a strong audience connection across all key internal and external stakeholders.
Lead a strong internal communications strategy to drive colleague engagement throughout the organisation.
Liaising with colleagues across all divisions and functions to deliver divisional messaging aligned to market needs.
Work closely across the Group to create one complementary plan.
Develop the communications brief for the production, writing and commissioning of content for all relevant channels.
In line with the brand DNA and values, implement, monitor, and evaluate brand guidelines and company tone of voice.
Manage and expand the Group and divisional social media presence, sourcing and sharing newsworthy and trustworthy information from across the market sectors in which we operate.
Monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication activity.
Manage and evaluate creative and targeted PR and media campaigns.
Support the Group Marketing Director on crisis communications and reputational risk management.
Manage and grow an active database of media contacts and stakeholders.
Commission and co-ordinate photography and videography as appropriate.

Building creative & engaging communication strategies
Copywriting or journalist background
Interpreting & executing a communication plan
Comprehensive understanding of communication channels

**About you**:
Previous experience of managing communications across a broad range of platforms and media to deliver a consistent brand and message to internal and external audiences.
Effective communicator with the ability to communicate across all stakeholders establishing credibility and respect.
Excellent written and verbal skills, proven journalistic writing style as well as imaginative and creative copy content.
High standards of accuracy and proof-reading ability.
Ability to contingency plan to address all possible scenarios.
Flexible and willing to adapt to changing priorities.
Able to work on own initiative as well as being a team member.

**What's in it for you?**

Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture
Outstanding Training & Development
Excellent benefits package including:
Early access to your pay through 'EarlyPay'
24/7 access to your payslips and Rotas via HR/Payroll portal
10% Staff Discount in our SPAR stores
Access to our colleague benefits scheme which offers a wide range of high street retail, holiday & leisure discounts
Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme
Company Pension Scheme
NEST pension scheme
Extra Holidays - Purchase Scheme
Cycle to work - Bicycle purchase scheme
Long Service Awards (e.g. 25 years service is £500 in vouchers and extra 4 weeks paid leave)

**About us**:
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is the 60th largest privately owned company in the UK. This forward thinking family-owned business began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store, and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now owns 280 SPAR Stores and employs more than 7,500 people across the group with a turnover in excess of £1 billion.

**Location**: Willenhall, Walsall
**Job type**: Full time, Permanent
**Hours**: 40 hours per week
**Salary**: £50,000

**You may have experience of the following**: Head of Communications, Financial Journalist, Financial Services, Communication Strategy, Campaign Management, Marcomms, PR, Public Relations, Communications Manager etc.

**Ref**: 107 911