Job description Posted 13 January 2022

Communications Director

Brentford, West London - Flexible Working From Home availabe

Contract until July 2022

Pay rate up to £779 per day via Umbrella inside IR35



General background

GSK aspires to be one of the world’s most innovative, best performing and trusted healthcare companies. 


We have an exciting one-time opportunity to create two, new leading companies, each with the ability to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people. We want both new companies to be growing, focused and agile companies, that are exciting and important places to work and we are on track to separate into two new companies mid-2022, each with a new purpose, strategy and culture.

 

We’re offering an opportunity for an experienced Communications Director, who has led complex transformation programmes, to join our Global Tech Communications team initially for 6 months to support the separation activities for our Global Tech organization.

 

You will work closely with other Change specialists and project and programme managers involved in Separation across Tech and GSK as we support people through change, build trust in our journey and confidence in our future as two companies from mid-2022.  You’ll also be part of a wider Internal Engagement team that works flexibly – focusing on where we can have the most impact. 

 

You’ll enjoy navigating a complex environment, using your judgement to identify where you can add value and being the voice of our people and our stakeholders to the project teams you’ll be part of.  You’ll have clear accountabilities to lead specific communications initiatives relating to the separation of our processes and systems. 

 

This assignment is expected to last until the end of June 2022, with the potential to be extended into Q3 2022. It is based in our GSK HQ in Brentford with the option to work from home when convenient to you in order for you to perform at your best.

 

Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities:

 

As we prepare to become two new companies, we need to separate the many day-to-day operational activities that are integrated today, including separating our Finance, HR and Tech systems and process.

 

The purpose of this role is to support the Tech Separation programme by driving engaging communications across the organisation that provide clarity on new ways of working.

 

Significant Processes & Systems (P&S) separation activity happens some months before we legally separate in mid-2022 and will occur over three waves between January and June 2022.  This is a huge undertaking and requires complex, enterprise-wide and targeted communications planning, execution and delivery. The communications will need to be clear, simple and engaging for a variety of global audiences and stakeholders, across all our business functions.

 

 Key responsibilities:

o  Develop communications strategies and plans, with target metrics, to support delivery of identified priorities, aligned with the central separation comms plan and change action plans. This includes:

o  Management and execution of an integrated Tech separation comms plan for Tech

o  Ensure enterprise wide Tech related comms activities are flagged to the central team and included in the separation To Know To Do as appropriate

o  Have a clear understanding of interdependencies and accountabilities end to end

  • Co-ordinate key messages and FAQ development to support Tech separation activities and empower Tech leaders to engage with their teams by sharing regular separation updates

o  Encourage story-telling to help to bring to life the separation change journey and illustrate progress at key milestones.

o  Build and develop relationships with influencers and stakeholders both in and outside Tech

o  Test and learn new communications tactics to drive innovation and engagement

o  Provide strategic counsel to stakeholders, advising them on optimum solutions for best practice communications

o  Drive a digital first approach to internal communication, delivering latest technologies and trends

o  Provide content (comms assets including animations, visuals, plasmas, ppts where needed) to Global Separation Comms to be included and amplified across the established, regular separation employee comms activities (including through Separation Ready: TKTD)

o  Lead and manage WS / function community specific comms (e.g. Tech to Tech)

o  Manage two Communications Managers to support your delivery of actionable and dynamic communications

 

Complexity:

o  The activities that come within the scope of this role are diverse, often with many interdependencies as well as sensitivities

o  The role involves considerable matrix working, influencing and stakeholder management and moves at pace

 

Key skills and attributes:

§ Experience delivering large transformation programmes and developing and deploying global campaigns to a diverse audience

§ Experience of transformation communications planning and execution for a global matrixed organisation

§ Tenacity, resilience and ability to work effectively under pressure and at pace

§ Strong judgement and integrity

§ Gravitas and influencing skills with the ability to build strong rapport with leaders at the most senior level

§ Strong verbal and written communication and story-telling skills

§ Ability to effectively and proactively use internal social and digital channels

§ Strong project management skills

§ Ability to work independently or part of a team

§ Personable, able to cope with stress and is proactive in delivery


Experience:

·      Formal training in communication would be an advantage but not a requirement

·      Experience in IT/Tech would be an advantage but not a requirement