Communications & Engagement Specialist

Our OEM Client based in Gaydon is searching for a Communications & Engagement Specialist to join their team, Inside IR35. This is a 12-month maternity cover contract position to start in April 2026.

The Opportunity: The Communications & Engagement Specialist for Indirect Procurement is responsible for shaping and delivering a clear, engaging, and strategically aligned communications approach across the function. The role ensures employees are informed, connected, and equipped to support Indirect Procurement's priorities, while strengthening culture and engagement through consistent messaging and strong cross-functional collaboration with their stakeholders and business partners, including IO Communications and Senior Leadership.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Internal Communications Strategy: Lead the development and delivery of the Internal Communications strategy for Indirect Procurement, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and the Creators' Code. Interpret, define and deliver communication priorities, channels, stakeholders, and cadence to support clear internal engagement.
• Message Development & Delivery: Create and deliver clear, compelling, and engaging messages across all internal channels, ensuring information is easy to understand and actionable. Maintain strong editorial standards for tone, clarity and brand consistency across all communications. Recommend channel improvements, content adjustments, and new methods to strengthen employee engagement and communication effectiveness.
• Leadership Communication Support: Develop effective leadership communication materials, including scripts, talking points, presentations, and briefing packs. Advise leaders on communication approach, messaging, and audience engagement to support visibility and impact.
• Change Communication: Lead and coordinate change communication activity relating to processes, systems, organisational changes, and strategic initiatives. Translate complex changes into clear narratives that support awareness, understanding, and adoption across the function. Work with internal change champions to deliver key messages.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with HR, IT, senior leaders, IO Communications, and broader Procurement teams to ensure alignment on culture, engagement, and messaging. Support cross-functional initiatives by delivering communication plans that connect teams and enable cohesive storytelling across the business.
• Events Planning & Delivery: Plan and coordinate key departmental events, including Town Halls, Learning Sessions, and Social Connects. Deliver high-quality events in partnership with key speakers, ensuring Indirect Procurement teams remain engaged and informed on business updates and upcoming developments.
• Supplier Communication Alignment: Manage and refresh the Indirect Procurement Supplier distribution list. Engage with the Supplier Relationship Management team to deliver key supplier events and messages aligned to the communications strategy.
• Other Responsibilities: Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested from time to time.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Communications strategy reviewed and refreshed twice per year, to reflect enterprise priorities.
• Stakeholder map reviewed and refreshed every quarter, measuring impact through feedback.
• 100% of leadership communication products (briefings, scripts, packs) delivered on time and to expected quality standards.
• 100% of communication plans and events delivered to agreed timelines.
• Minimum of 1 communication improvement implemented per quarter based on data, insights, and stakeholder feedback.

Essential Skills, Experience and Knowledge:

• Previous experience and background in internal communications with a proven track record of successful delivery of the aligned communications and engagement strategy to diverse audiences.
• Functional Skills: Experience of delivering a communication and events plan from formation to execution. Experience in end-to-end delivery of departmental events. Knowledge of communications and engagement theories to develop a specific strategy for the function's needs. Development and maintenance of multiple communication channels to ensure alignment to type of communication. High level of competency using Microsoft programmes such as PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Able to create engaging videos for internal channels.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work independently and proactively, taking full ownership and responsibility for own work. Strong interpersonal/communication skills, including ability to manage self and lead the wider function through change. Strong stakeholder relationship management and can communicate effectively at all levels.

Personal Profile: Someone with integrity & empathy who holds the customer experience above all else. Someone who embraces a growth mindset; resilient and enthusiastic who responds constructively to new ideas and inputs.