Head Of Communications Jobs

Who We Are

At Specsavers, we have been transforming eye health and careers around the world for over 35 years. We are the world’s largest optometry-led business serving 41 million customers at 2,300 locations in 11 countries. Join us, as we seek the best talent in the market.

Why We Do It

When Doug and Mary Perkins started Specsavers back in 1984, they wanted to challenge the industry towards irreversible change for the good of everyone, so that access to quality and affordable eyecare was available to whoever needed it, whenever they needed it. Since then, everything we’ve done is driven with that same purpose. Whenever you come across one of our stores, you’ll find experts in eye health and frame style, as well as great value with our glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and eye-catching offers.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Head of Communications & Engagement is responsible for the overall planning, content, design and delivery of all core communications internally, in support of the annual plan. This is delivered through a communications strategy designed to include both internal and in store stakeholders. Working with other functions, the role also provides communications advice and support on all other store facing activity as well being the central link to all Group/ Global communications.

Key Responsibilities

Overall communications best practice

• Consistently striving to engage audiences through whatever means possible.
• Seek feedback for continual development and improvement of communications
• Develop and implement communication strategies for Internal and Store communications.
• Ensure that all communications are being delivered to a high standard ensuring all key stakeholders are clear and informed
• Responsible for daily workflow planning, client/stakeholder liaison, trouble shooting and escalation.

Brand standards & best practice

• Develop and share key templates for use across the business.
• Accountable for ensuring the overall tone and language used in all communications is appropriate for the various audiences across the business.
• All materials are produced in line with our brand standards, consistently applying the core principle of informing, engaging and motivating the relevant stakeholders.
• Accountable for enabling design work (in time, line managing a Design Manager) to deliver communications that are in line with the Specsavers Group brand standards and aligned with all other communications.
• Ensure all written and visual communications are produced with the target audiences in mind at all times and are reviewed and proofed whenever feasible.

Channel Development & Management

• Develop and manage communication platforms, channels, forums and events for stores, partners support offices ensuring needs of all, across all provinces and sites are met. Strive to establish and foster community and culture building wherever possible.
• Strive to ensure we have the most effective communications channels for all audiences at any given time, initiating, developing and improving where necessary
• Initiate and oversee other communication channels or platforms such as Teams, Greenpoint across stores and support office and manage and report on engagement.

Stakeholder support

• Ensure plans are developed and in place for all key projects and business initiatives for communications, both internally and to stores.
• Overall responsible for all external suppliers used – contract negotiation, escalations and simply ensuring we get best value for money and quality results.
• Support and guide key stakeholders on delivery, process and best practice when it comes to communicating with our audiences.
• Be an active member of the Specsavers Global Communications network – both internal and store facing communications - ensuring Canadian views and requirements are heard and working with the group to share best practice and exchange ideas.

Feedback & Innovation

• Develop and deliver internal, Partner and/ or store engagement and insights surveys. Ensure that the results are communicated to the relevant areas of the business.
• Gain regular feedback (internally & stores) in order to adjust our communications approach as needed. Responsible for striving for new and effective ways of communicating with our key audiences.

Audience specific

Internal Communications & Engagement

• Drive, input and support employee engagement measurement and activity.
• Work with the relevant stakeholders to develop and deliver an internal communications strategy that gives visibility, understanding and appreciation of business activity.
• Ensure links to Global are retained and considered in any future channel development.
• Work closely with the MD and HR Senior Lead to provide support as required on structural and commercially sensitive changes.
• Ensure Canadian needs are met in any internal global initiatives and communications.

Store & Partner Communications & Engagement

• Be first contact in all new projects and initiatives as well as core BAU deliverables that require communication support - no matter how large or small – ensuring communication plans are developed and bought to life. Providing guidance and support wherever necessary and keeping the wheels oiled.
• Establish process and overview of key store impacting activity to ensure awareness across the business, equally ensuring general balanced cascade of information to stores and partners. Management of store impact planner and partner events planner in liaison with key internal stakeholders.
• Manage platform and channel developments with supplier, trouble shoot, ensure best practice across stakeholders internally and identify common developmental needs as required. Oversee use and report on engagement.

Key Skills, Ability or Experience

Essential

• Leadership and management experience
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• A good understanding of the business priorities and initiatives, particularly those of an impacting nature

Desirable

• Strong knowledge of the Specsavers business
• Communication background