Communications Manager – Brand & Campaigns

Are you an experienced Communications professional?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Communications Manager to join the John Lewis Brand & Campaigns team for 12 months.

The External Communications team is responsible for all aspects of the external communications strategy for the Partnership and its two brands. Our clear ambition for communications: to be the conscience of the business and champion of the brands. This business purpose is brought to life through the role of communications and campaigning. With communications disciplines that work effectively with other business departments to ensure integration of communications across the company, working together for maximum impact.

As a communications team we work on multiple fronts, with a communications programme that leverages progressive business initiatives, builds celebratory feel good moments, campaigns with passion from a position of strength,scale and responsibility, maintains a drumbeat of positive storytelling, and works hard to mitigate potential risks. Activity must continue to reach multiple audiences, amplifying and deepening customer marketing activity and messaging delivered above the line.

This role will sit within the John Lewis, Brand & Campaign's external communications team. You will play a key role in positioning John Lewis as a premium retailer and creating buzz and talkability about the brand all year long.

• Salary – up to £70,000 depending on experience
• Contract type – 12 months fixed term contract/secondment
• Working pattern/flexible working – The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team meets in the office 2-3 days a week. It will be based in the London Central Office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Brand and Campaigns communications team across both the day to day press office function and plan and execute seasonal campaigns.
• Work with the Senior Communications Manager, develop and maintain a network of external stakeholders including journalists and opinion Formers.
• To be a creative counsel and PR advisor for the brand.
• Use awareness of the external landscape to make informed decisions about communications opportunities.
• Deputise for Senior Communications Manager when required.
• Champion and promote the Sustainability, Ethics and Purpose story as part of the overall strategic brand narrative.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need 

• People management experience and coaching experience.
• Extensive experience in managing large scale events.
• Creative problem solving.
• Digital and social media communications experience.
• Proven experience of stakeholder management and influencing senior employees.
• Strong communications skills

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The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.