Communications Manager

Job Introduction

Are you an ambitious communications professional looking for your next challenge? Perhaps working in a communications agency and looking to move in-house? We’re currently looking for someone just like you to join Sodexo as our Communications Manager!

You’ll be working with two of our busiest segments, Sports and Leisure (think football stadia, annual sporting and exhibitor events) and Corporate Services (global brands and companies that would roll off the tip of your tongue), to deliver communications plans for both Sodexo employees and external audiences. You’ll have variety and lively subject matter to work with!

The ability to tell a good story and strong editorial experience with a keen eye for detail is essential. You’ll work with senior stakeholders so you’ll have the ability to articulate and convey ideas confidently, influence and impact decisions, manage and meet their expectations whilst ensuring you’re managing your priorities.

You’ll bring new ideas to how we communicate, so creative and digital experience and flair, would really set you apart from your competition. To be truly successful you’ll be passionate about what you do and how you do it!

You’ll be based in our Salford office, just outside Media City, working with eight other communications, PR and creative professionals alongside a wider team based from our London office. We can accommodate some flexible working to balance with a couple of days travel to other offices and client sites you might make each month.

As a multi award-winning employer and one with a strong UK and global brand and communications team, we can offer a world of opportunities to develop and progress.

Role Responsibility

Employee Communications

• Create high quality internal communications content and campaigns – produce written materials and manage the delivery of creative content
• Support an ongoing programme of employee communication e.g. managed calls, teamrooms, Yammer and social, roadshows and news alerts
• Plan and execute key employee communications events – roadshows, webinars etc
• Support the employee engagement strategy for Corporate Services and Sports &L, working closely with the HR function and engagement champions
• Update Corporate Services and S&L content on internal digital channels – manager intranet, employee website, employee Facebook etc
• Help promote Corporate Services and S&L’s employees’ participation in charity fundraising and volunteering for Sodexo’s Stop Hunger charity 
• Measure and evaluate the overall impact of communications on employees: recommend and implement improvements where appropriate

External communications

• Support delivery of an external communications programme that supports the business’ go-to-market plans and growth strategies
• Support the creation of PR materials and content assets – news releases, social content, video, photography, presentations etc
• Manage the relationship with the social media team for the region to brief in the right digital support for the segment plans
• Create and project manage delivery of comms plans for sales, marketing and trade events in the business, bringing in expertise from the wider communications team
• Manage the work of agencies and freelancers delivering content and PR

The Ideal Candidate

What’s essential:

• Graduate calibre and a professional or higher qualification in communications or corporate communications.
• Proven communications experience, with experience of employee communications, either in-house or in an agency
• Strong editorial eg. writing for the web, sub-editing with attention to detail and an eye for a good story, content creation and digital experience
• Experience of working in a corporate environment, preferably for a blue-chip company (or supporting blue-chips through agency)
• Proven social media, digital and creative experience

Where we can be flexible:

• Employee communications experience would be a distinct advantage
• Experience of crisis communication and change management would be beneficial

Package Description

£30,000 - £35,000 

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, Defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to further engage ex-forces personnel and reservists.  Those applying for roles with us who meet the essential criteria advertised under the ‘ideal candidate’ on the vacancy advertised are guaranteed to progress within the selection process.