Communications Manager, Places (12-month contract) in Bristol

Arcadis is the world’s leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. With over 36,000 people in more than 70 countries, we are dedicated to improving quality of life. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description

• Manage and deliver corporate communication initiatives for Advanced Process and Manufacturing (APM) as an integral part of the Places Global Business Area (GBA) strategy and plan.
• Ensure Places APM communications are aligned with, embedded in, and elevated within the broader Places and Arcadis narrative and communications.
• Provide specialist internal communications and employee engagement advice to the business, acting as a consultative and strategic partner to the Places APM business and management team, with a particular focus on Arcadis’ growing semiconductors & advanced technologies and life sciences activities.
• Advise business leaders on the impact and effectiveness of communications, including external activity in partnership with the external communications team.
• Play an active role as part of the GBA Corporate Communications team, contributing Places APM perspectives into the shaping of broader corporate communications strategies, priorities and programmes across GBAs.
• Provide extended corporate communications support within the Places team and for key priority global projects aligned with the Global Communications Director, Cross‑GBA.

Role accountabilities

• Manage and deliver internal communications strategies and channels for APM within the wider Places GBA communications strategy and plan.
• Act as a consultative and strategic communications partner to the APM business and management team.
• Lead the internal communications strategy for transformation and change across Places APM.
• Develop and execute communications plans, especially for change initiatives and key business programmes.
• Plan and produce high‑quality written content for internal and external communications.
• Support key global Corporate Communications projects and programmes.
• Identify APM subject matter experts and leaders to elevate.
• Manage internal digital channels and cascade frameworks for Places APM.
• Consult on strategic leader and all‑hands Town Hall engagement events.
• Tailor global and Places‑wide programmes to make them relevant for APM colleagues.
• Manage an internal communications calendar for APM that is fully aligned to the broader Places and GBA Editorial Calendars.
• Measure activity and use metrics to inform improvements; provide quarterly reporting on communications effectiveness.

Key shared accountabilities

• Embed APM initiatives and narratives into broader Places and corporate communications strategies and plans.
• Advise Global External Communications on brand and reputation.
• Collaborate within the Corporate Communications team to raise the profile of Arcadis.
• Represent Places APM on the Global Internal Communications Community of Practice.
• Support with crisis communications in partnership with Corporate Communications and business leadership.
• Partner with GSSC colleagues for the creation and delivery of high‑quality content.
• Collaborate with the GBA Corporate Communications team to improve communications and shape cross‑GBA strategies.
• Coordinate with the Places APM Change Management team for transformation communications.

Decision rights

• Owns Internal communications approach for Places APM.
• Execution of APM‑related content and channel activities.
• Development of stakeholder self‑service models and communications SLAs.
• Strategic communications approach for APM transformation.
• Identification, coaching and support of APM subject matter experts.

Influences

• Transformation and integration communications across Places APM.
• Broader Places GBA and cross‑GBA editorial planning.
• Global Corporate Communications projects and campaigns.
• Channel optimisation and performance recommendations.
• Marketing campaigns.
• Crisis communications response.

Vetoes

• Content or messaging that conflicts with Arcadis’ tone of voice, standards or governance.
• Communications that inaccurately position APM.
• Change impact.

Qualifications & Experience

• 6+ years professional experience in communications, change management or a similar role.
• Thorough understanding and experience of applying change communications methodologies.
• Multi‑discipline skills: internal and external communications.
• Experience working in a matrix organisation (preferably global).
• Excellent communication and writing skills; strong attention to detail.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to project‑manage complex multi‑channel initiatives.
• Experience advising leadership; willingness to execute communications initiatives.
• A growth mindset; continually learning and improving.
• Highly collaborative; energised by shared goals.
• BA or equivalent (journalism or communications preferably).

Arcadis values professional experience across:

• Working internationally, across different industries and business lines.
• Managing change: divestments, mergers, startups, new business models, large‑scale automation.
• Living our purpose: mentoring, sponsoring, supporting communities, sustainability focus.

Leadership success profile

• Curiosity: bring clients and Arcadians on a journey of discovery and co‑creation.
• Global, strategic and future‑thinking mindset.
• Digitally savvy, entrepreneurial and innovative.
• Build organisational networks that add value, engage and are purposeful.
• Human‑centric, experimentation‑led and continuous learning leadership.
• Actively engage diverse viewpoints and manage healthy issues‑based conflict.
• Create shared ownership and accountability.
• Own responsibility, create clarity and motivate others.
• Internalise organisational goals; take ownership to shift outcomes.
• Commercial acumen – both general and with sustainable solutions.
• Shape the future of the organisation.
• Commitment to improving quality of life and sustainability.
• Adaptive engagement style, culturally sensitive.
• Clear communication and inspiring storytelling.
• Integrate work into the bigger picture.
• Maintaining personal resilience and supporting others to rebound.
• Build trust through authenticity and integrity.

Main working contacts

• Global Communications Director, Cross‑GBA (manager)
• Global Communications Director, Places (day‑to‑day)
• GBA Communications Directors
• Corporate Communications Leadership team
• Places APM Management Team
• Global Internal Communications Community of Practice
• Marketing team
• Marketing and Communications global service centre (GSSC)
• Change Centre of Excellence
• Tech and People teams

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone’s contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills‑based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximise the impact we can make together. You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll help deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We want you to bring your best self to work every day. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and to provide a great place to work for all our people.