Internal Communication & Engagement Manager

This is an exciting role that is key in ensuring that all team are consistently informed, engaged and aligned with Hickory’s goals & focuses. You will work closely with management and culture teams guiding, shaping and supporting internal messaging to bring to life the Hickory’s magic & engage all teams.

Your work will involve managing key internal communications projects, owning the internal comms calendar, ensuring messaging has maximum impact & engages all team.

The role requires a proactive approach, leading the internal comms plan and ensuring a joined-up approach across all team comms. You will help promote and communicate the values & strategy for Hickory’s, ensuring the right channels are used to deliver accurate & engaging content.

You’ll play a key role in fostering a culture of feedback, listening and continuous improvement and will bring new ideas to drive team engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead & develop the internal comms & engagement strategy:

• With the Leadership Team define the role of comms for (i) Managers (ii) Team
• Define the role of channels on Workvivo; newsletters, podcasts, posts.
• Own & manage the comms calendar.
• Manage & define the automated journeys on Workvivo.
• Map & set up the space structure (supporting space owners to manage their own spaces).
• Manage Chat functionality.
• Deliver the internal comms calendar with the Leadership Team & Management Team.
• Campaign management; collaborate brief from Leadership Team & Management Team, creation & execution e.g. new menus, 12 days of Christmas, bar competitions.

Build trusted relationships across all departments:

• Monthly meeting – chairing the meeting to discuss upcoming comms, map comms plan. Verbally brief comms (coach, support, collaborate).
• Comms briefing process – support Leadership Team, Management Team, Ops & Training with managing their comms (creative brief, roles & responsibilities, agree assets, support with copy, execution, review)
• Monthly attendance in an Management Team meeting – to review the calendar, align key messages
• Attendance & presence in restaurants – check-ins with restaurant teams and visibility & inclusion of key meetings/sessions to be included & invited to (New Opening Culture Days, Wellbeing Events, Hey Coach, Roadshows)

Creative development:

• Template creation for all internal comms including Workvivo, posters, (Canva & InDesign) – design & style setting
• Video filming & editing (Mobile phone filming & Capcut (or equivalent) for editing
• Copy writing & proofing – brand check, grammar & spelling, image selection, music

Workvivo product owner:

• Own & manage the relationship with the Workvivo account team, including managing all product updates & releases
• Management of the platform including; Space creation, Technical updates, Targeted notifications, Surveys & Articles
• Create training materials and SOPs for all team (users, space owners, MT) & technical support with Workvivo
• Monthly reporting & analysis of all comms to measure team engagement

Essential Skills:

We’re seeking an experienced manager with a strong grasp of internal communications principles & someone who is active & engaged on Workvivo. Skills & experience to include:

• Excellent writing skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Be confident distilling complex information into clear, engaging comms for team
• Skilled in stakeholder management - you’ll work cross-functionally across all levels of the business
• Be creative – experience in Design (Canva, In-Design), Photography & Videography (Capcut) and copy writing
• Ability to lead and influence projects and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Be proactive and organised, with strong planning and coordination skills, and a talent for identifying innovative ways to engage team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, intranet platforms and IT platforms is required to succeed in this role
• Flexible working – this isn’t a Mon-Fri 9-6pm role! This role requires a variable working pattern including some weekends and early evenings.

Thank Yous & Benefits:

• A generous package of up to £40,000 per year plus car allowance contributions.
• Excellent training & progression opportunities – through our award-winning Hickory’s Training Academy.
• Qualification opportunities as you working (up to A-Level & Degree level equivalent).
• Birthday reward meal on us for you & your friends - every year.
• Free smokin’ BBQ on shift – team food & drinks menu.
• Christmas Day off work - every year.
• Moments that matter - Paid occasions days off (Wedding day, kid’s first day at school, moving into first home & more).
• Team Player card – 25% discount for you & 5 friends in all Hickory’s (rising to 50% for loyal service).
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities.
• Wellbeing support & 24-hour access to our wellness programme.
• Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red Zone.
• A packed team social & engagement calendar & annual team party.
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids 
• Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme

If that sounds good or you want to find out more? Click ‘apply’ now and you could be our next Internal Communication & Engagement Manager!

INDMAN