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- Tasks: Lead employee engagement and internal communications to create a thriving workplace culture.
- Company: Join Oxfordshire County Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to outstanding service delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health support, enhanced family policies, and great learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and foster a culture of inclusion and excellence.
- Qualifications: Seeking strategic thinkers with leadership experience in employee engagement and organisational culture.
- Other info: This is an exciting time for transformation within the HR & Cultural Change service.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 62000 £ per year.
Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager
Join to apply for the Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager role at Oxfordshire County Council
Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager
Join to apply for the Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager role at Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council provided pay range
This range is provided by Oxfordshire County Council. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
About Us
At Oxfordshire County Council, we are proud to be a forward-thinking organisation committed to delivering outstanding services to our residents. Our HR & Cultural Change service plays a vital role in shaping a workplace where people thrive, feel valued, and are empowered to make a difference. We are on a journey of transformation through our “Delivering the Future Together” programme, which underpins our ambition to be an employer, partner, and place shaper of choice. Our values – always learning, being kind and caring, taking responsibility, daring to do it differently, and upholding equality and integrity – are at the heart of everything we do.
About the Role
This is a senior leadership position within our HR & Cultural Change service, responsible for driving strategic employee engagement and internal communications across the organisation. The post holder will lead a talented team to deliver innovative and inclusive engagement strategies that support our “Our People and Culture” vision, ensuring our workforce feels connected, inspired, and empowered.
You will be instrumental in shaping and evolving our employee experience, wellbeing strategy, internal communications, and equalities, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Your work will directly influence how we retain talent, foster high-performing teams, and create a culture where everyone can thrive.
As a key member of the HR&CC Senior Management Team, you will collaborate with senior leaders, stakeholders, and partners to embed a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and trust. You will also manage key contracts such as Occupational Health and lead the delivery of the Inclusive Workforce pillar of our Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the organisation, championing a workplace where people are heard, supported, and motivated to deliver excellence for the people of Oxfordshire.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• As a key member of the HR&CC Senior Management team, you will make significant contribution to the effective leadership of the service and its strategy development which will support the Council to be an employer, partner and place shaper of choice.
• To work with and influence senior stakeholders to lead, promote and shape Our People and Culture strategy and initiatives that position OCC as an employer of choice, driving positive employee engagement and creating healthy high performing teams.
• To provide strong, professional and managerial leadership across the Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications team being responsible for:
– Promoting and supporting the effectiveness of the individual performance framework
– Employee experience and recognition framework
– Internal communications
– Equalities, diversity & Inclusion in the workplace
– Managing the network of and impact of the Delivering the Future Together champions
– Occupational Health contract management
Please refer to the job description on our careers site for a full list.
About You
You are a strategic thinker and experienced leader with a strong grasp of employee engagement, internal communications, and organisational culture. With extensive experience in complex and diverse environments, ideally within the public sector, you have a proven track record of delivering transformational change.
As an exceptional communicator, you can craft compelling messages for diverse audiences and influence at all levels. Your inclusive and empowering leadership style fosters a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can perform at their best. Confident in navigating complex challenges, managing budgets, and using data and digital tools for decision-making, you excel at building strong relationships, constructively challenging, and leading with integrity.
You are comfortable working in a hybrid environment, with the flexibility to travel across the county and work from various locations as needed.
Following our service redesign, the new HR & Cultural Change operating model ensures everyone has clarity on their role and remit, while reinforcing a ‘one team’ ethos. This is an exciting time to join us, as we take the next steps in our service together. If you are someone who believes in the power of communication to drive change and are excited about the opportunity to make a real impact, we would love to hear from you!
Rewards and benefits
You can look forward to:
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Seniority level
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Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Human Resources and Customer Service
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Industries
Government Administration
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Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager employer: Oxfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Oxfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Oxfordshire County Council's values and current initiatives, especially the 'Delivering the Future Together' programme. Understanding their mission will help you align your approach and demonstrate how your experience can contribute to their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Oxfordshire County Council, particularly those in HR or communications roles. They can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully driven employee engagement and internal communications in previous roles. Tailoring your experiences to reflect the responsibilities outlined in the job description will showcase your suitability for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends in employee engagement and communications, especially within the public sector. Being able to reference current best practices or innovative strategies during your conversations will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and thought leadership.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager position. Identify key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in employee engagement, internal communications, and leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive change and foster a positive workplace culture.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also reflects your understanding of Oxfordshire County Council's values and mission. Show enthusiasm for the role and explain how you can contribute to their goals.
Highlight Your Leadership Style: In your application, emphasise your inclusive and empowering leadership style. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams and influenced stakeholders in previous roles, particularly in complex environments.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfordshire County Council
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Oxfordshire County Council's values. They emphasise learning, kindness, responsibility, and integrity. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and provide examples from your past experiences.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Strategic Employee Engagement & Communications Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that have successfully engaged employees or improved internal communications.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and leadership style. Think of examples where you faced challenges in employee engagement or communication and how you navigated those situations effectively.
✨Highlight Your Experience with Diversity and Inclusion
Given the emphasis on equalities, diversity, and inclusion in the role, be ready to discuss your experience in these areas. Share specific initiatives you've led or contributed to that fostered an inclusive workplace culture.
