Head of Communications and Marketing – Construction

The Vacancy

Wates Group is looking for a Head of Communications & Marketing to join our Construction division. This national role will have overall responsibility for communications – internal and external – and marketing, for Wates’ construction division, which includes the company’s construction and fit out businesses (Wates Construction, Wates Smartspace and Wates Fit Out).

Operating across the UK with public and private sector partners, the construction business works in a number of sectors, including custodial, education, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and blue light, while the fit out businesses work for a huge range of customers, from banks and retailers to commercial offices and public sector bodies.

With more than 80 live sites at any one time, an annual turnover of more than £1bn and about 1,000 employees, this division forms a significant part of the wider Wates Group.

As a member of the Board, the role holder will support and advise its Executive Managing Director and will have overall responsibility for employee communications, media relations, PR, crisis and issue management, digital and social media, in-person and virtual event management and marketing to position for work winning.

The role holder will utilise data driven insights and both internal and external feedback to drive activity and interventions in support of improving customer and employee experience.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As our Head of Communications & Marketing, you will:

• Lead employee communications within the Construction division, including support for internal change programmes. Advise and support the Executive Managing Director and his Board to create compelling communications that build employee engagement and boost employee net promoter scores.
• Oversee media relations, social media and public relations activities for the Construction businesses, as well as developing communications that build and maintain a strong reputation with local and central government.
• Work closely with business development to craft marketing strategies, campaigns, events and awards to boost brand awareness and support work winning for national sectors. Manage third-party agencies and track performance to ensure return on investment.
• Act as the functional lead for the communications and marketing team within the Construction businesses and represent the division on the functional leadership team for the Wates Group.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary & profit share scheme
• Flexible working
• Car Allowance / Company Car
• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)
• Extensive corporate benefits including, private medical, pension 8% employers’ contribution, health and wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…
• One of the best learning and development programmes which is customisable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WatesGroup)
• Industry leading family leave benefits to include 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.