Job Introduction

Do you lead the way?  

Are you a grafter?  

Are you loyal?  

If yes, read below to see how you could be a part of our story!  

Welcome to Card Factory - and your opportunity to be part of our exciting future. As the country’s largest, independent gift and greetings card retailer with over 1000 stores, Card Factory is really thriving. As well as being a progressive, exciting and friendly company, we reward our people’s commitment and determination. 

As a Head of Communications you will be an experienced leader in communications who will develop and implement the Internal and Shareholder communication strategy for the Group.

You will be accountable for managing a team and connecting Colleagues to the Card Factory Group agenda, informing them about operational requirements and bringing the brand to life for Shareholders. You’ll work collaboratively with the Board and all areas of the business to create a unified vision for comms and will engage colleagues in the Card Factory Culture through communication that is inspirational, targeted, accurate and relevant using a mix of channels including digital and social.

Role Responsibility

• Fully understand the leadership vision and 5 year strategy – asks challenging questions of the senior team to ensure that the vision can be translated effectively to all colleagues, whatever their level or position;
• Works with the CEO and Exec to define the appropriate communication channels and timetable for releasing Shareholder information;
• Provides regular internal updates on company progress and performance to keep teams engaged with the vision and the part they play in its delivery;
• Creates a simple but far reaching communication framework and timetable for the business – ensures that stakeholders understand the part they play and how they contribute;
• Validates that all communications are accurate, professional and in line with the brand values;
• Works with the Legal team and Marketing to issue PLC, CMD, Annual Reports and Market updates on time and to the highest possible standard;
• Manage Investor Website content ensuring that is accurate and up to date;
• Work with the Gatekeeper to build and evolve the Operational Comms Plan for the year;
• Design and own the engagement communication timetable for the business;
• Collaborate with the Foundation to provide relevant updates to the business;
• Review and evolve our communications systems, methods and processes;
• Ensures that all communications are consistent with the brand;
• Works closely with Marketing to understand customer engagement methodology and upcoming activities to tie into the colleague and shareholder communications plan;
• Owns the internal communications system (BOB), ensuring that content is relevant, accurate, effective and clear;
• Empowers team to work cross-functionally to deliver improvements in communication systems and methods;
• Creates simple, clear engaging and informative content for field and store teams;
• Grows retail team engagement through seeking and reacting to feedback;
• Ensures that compliance can be monitored on critical areas of the business through suitable use of BOB;
• Creates informal forums for colleagues to engage with the business and one another – both digital and physical;
• Supports a positive culture through sharing impactful colleague stories internally through corporate channels or externally with the support of Marketing. Areas include: fundraising, special projects, colleague and team achievements and events;
• Schedules, organises and runs effective events and conferences to budget.

The Ideal Candidate

• Senior leadership experience within a similar role;
• You will have Internal, External and Retail Communications experience (Essential);
• Will have lead a team; 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver on time;
• Detail orientated but can represent complex information simply;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships;
• Able to facilitate forums with colleagues of all levels;
• Use strong cross functional partnerships to constantly develop ways of working;
• Seeks out innovations and best in class communications and works to bring new ideas;
• Is able to manage confidential information where appropriate.

About the Company

In return we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

• 25 holidays + 8 bank holidays
• Save as you Earn scheme
• 15% Staff Discount
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• O2 open mobile contracts
• Salary Finance
• Pension 
• Discounted Car Leasing
• Employee Care
• Flex My Day
• Card Factory Foundation
• MyCardFactory App: discounts at leading retailers

This role may involve out of hours and weekend working to support the business needs and the ideal candidate will hold a full clean driving license as travel between group sites will be required.

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

For any questions email: vacancies@cardfactory.co.uk (we do not accept CVs/Applications via email) 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory