Internal Communications Manager
Attractive Salary & Benefits
36.5 Hour week (Hybrid)
Newtownabbey
Who are we?
Henderson Group are proud to be one of Northern Ireland’s leading employers.
Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice, Henderson Group Property, and Henderson Technology.
Each of our divisions are Investors in People accredited at Gold/ Platinum level, and we employ over 6,000 colleagues across the group. We’re a family-owned business, and our culture is lived out through our four core values- Ambition, Customer First, Teamwork and Integrity.
A look into the role…
We are now recruiting for the role of Internal Communications Manager, based within our Group Human Resources function.
Reporting directly to our Group Human Resources Director, this role forms part of our HR Leadership team, and will provide the successful candidate with a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of engaging internal communications that keep colleagues informed, connected and aligned across the organisation.
Working closely with leaders, HR and Marketing, the candidate will deliver clear, compelling messages on business priorities, performance and brand activity, while strengthening culture, engagement and colleague experience. A key part of this role will be to manage and continually enhance the organisation’s online employee engagement and internal communications platform, ensuring the delivery of a user-friendly, engaging and accessible service that is aligned to colleague needs.
This role will be very well suited to an enthusiastic and customer focused individual, with excellent communication ability and attention to detail.
The Internal Communications Manager will:
* Develop and implement a comprehensive internal communications strategy aligned to business objectives, people priorities and organisational values.
* Coordinate communication plans for business-wide initiatives, seasonal peaks and operational milestones.
* Ensure messaging is clear, consistent and tailored to different audiences across the Henderson Group.
* Measure effectiveness of communications activity through engagement metrics, feedback and insight.
* Partner with Directors and senior leaders to develop impactful internal communications content including announcements, updates, presentations, speeches and key messages.
* Support directors in planning and delivering internal communication events such as town halls, leadership briefings, roadshows and colleague forums.
* Coach leaders on effective communication approaches and colleague engagement.
* Build a strong working partnership with Corporate Marketing to align internal and external messaging where appropriate.
* Ensure colleagues are informed and engaged with key business news, commercial launches, brand campaigns, milestones, market developments and corporate achievements.
* Work closely with the HR Director and HR team to support employee engagement strategy and initiatives.
* Develop campaigns that reinforce company values, celebrate success, recognise colleagues and strengthen culture.
* Use employee insight, segmentation and personas to tailor communications and increase engagement across diverse colleague groups.
* Work with stakeholders to improve user journeys, with a focus on digital-first and mobile user experience.
* Own, manage and continually enhance the organisation’s online employee engagement and internal communications platform, ensuring that platforms are user-friendly, engaging, accessible and aligned to colleague needs.
* Manage content architecture, publishing standards, user permissions, governance and platform performance.
* Identify and implement new functionality, integrations and digital improvements to enhance colleague engagement and communication effectiveness.
* Work closely with IT, external suppliers and system providers to resolve issues, deliver upgrades and optimise platform capability.
* Use analytics and user insight to drive continuous improvement in digital channel performance and colleague experience.
* Support the delivery of internal colleague events, recognition programmes and engagement activities across the business.
* Act as a trusted advisor on internal communications matters across the organisation.
* Monitor industry trends, emerging channels and best practice in internal communications and engagement, driving innovation in how the business communicates with colleagues.
Skills for Success
Joining us as Internal Communications Manager, the minimum criteria you’ll need is:
* Demonstrable previous experience in development and delivery of a communication strategy for internal communications and employee engagement.
* Experience partnering with senior leaders and producing executive-level communications.
* Strong experience owning, managing and developing digital communication platforms such as intranet, employee apps or engagement systems.
* Good technical capability with experience of content management systems, digital tools, data management and segmentation, analytics platforms, and platform administration.
* Demonstrated success in delivering colleague events, engagement campaigns and change communications.
* Experience using audience insight, segmentation or employee personas to improve engagement.
* A valid driving licence.
The skills/ attributes you’ll need include:
* Excellent Communication skills (verbal and written).
* Creativity and strong copywriting, editing and content creation skills across multiple formats.
* Excellent stakeholder management capability, including influencing and project management skills.
* Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret engagement data and measure ROI.
* Proactive problem Solving with a solution-oriented mindset.
* Adaptable and comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments and managing ambiguity
* Strong colleague-focused customer support approach, with an emphasis on empathy and responsiveness
* Curious and innovative mindset- the successful candidate will demonstrate a natural ability to successfully lead change and drive continuous improvement.
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It is desirable if you have:
* Degree-level qualification in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Human Resources, Business or related discipline.
* Professional qualification in Internal Communications, CIPR, CIM or equivalent.
* Relevant digital platform, intranet or content management system training.
* Experience within a large, multi-site retail, wholesale, logistics or customer-facing organisation.
* Previous Project Management training/ qualification.
Are we right for you?
As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by.
Ambition – We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
Customer First – We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
Teamwork – We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
Integrity – We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.
The Reward
The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day-to-day role. You will be part of a business that is committed to supporting the communities we serve.
Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment- we value employee development and heavily invest in our people.
Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, “The Store” Rewards & Discount platform, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.
This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid and flexible working arrangement available.
If you'd like to speak with us before making your application, our Group Resourcing Manager – Gayle Clinghan would be happy to have a confidential chat with you about the role on offer - email gayle.clinghan@henderson-group.com to get in touch.
Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on 18th May 2026.
We are an equal opportunities employer.