📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Programme Communications Lead
🔹 Company: Aviva
🔹 Location: York, United Kingdom (with flexibility for Bristol or Norwich)
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 office days per week)
🔹 Category: Communications & PR
🔹 Date Posted: May 1, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and leading the communication strategy for a multi-year, multi-vendor strategic transformation program
- Ensuring effective communication and engagement with employees, stakeholders, and external parties
- Collaborating with the program team to create detailed communication plans and optimize opportunities for engagement
- Managing multiple stakeholders, including C-Suite level, and influencing decision-making processes
- Adapting communication approaches to address delivery impacts and sensitivities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and communication skills. The successful candidate will have experience in leading large-scale transformation programs and be comfortable working in a complex, highly regulated environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing a comprehensive multi-year communication strategy and plan for the transformation program
✅ Collaborating with the program team to create detailed communication plans and activities
✅ Managing multiple stakeholders, including senior leadership, to ensure alignment and support for communication objectives
✅ Creating engaging and informative content for various channels and audiences
✅ Monitoring and evaluating communication effectiveness, and making data-driven adjustments as needed
✅ Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a proactive approach to communication, with the ability to anticipate and address potential challenges and opportunities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience in communications, with a proven track record in leading large-scale transformation programs
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in strategic communication planning and execution
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Ability to work effectively in a complex, highly regulated environment
- Proven ability to take the initiative and develop successful communication plans
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the insurance or financial services industry
- Familiarity with Aviva or similar large-scale organizations
- Bilingual or multilingual skills (desirable but not required)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in leading communications for large-scale transformations in the insurance or financial services industry will be particularly well-suited to this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Circa £75,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications). This is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior communications role in the UK insurance sector.
Benefits:
- Bonus opportunity: 12% of annual salary (actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s)
- Generous pension scheme: Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in
- Holiday: 29 days plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
- Discounts: Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
- Shares: Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
- Supportive policies: Including parental and carer’s leave
- Flexible benefits: To suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
- Community involvement: Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
- Wellbeing: We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools
Working Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible working options available
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Aviva is a leading Insurance, Wealth & Retirement business, operating in a competitive and highly regulated market.
Company Size: Aviva has 10,001+ employees globally, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: Aviva was founded in 1696 and has a rich history in the insurance industry.
Company Description:
- Aviva is committed to being with customers today for a better tomorrow, providing a wide range of insurance, savings, and investment products and services
- The company operates in multiple countries and has a strong focus on sustainability and responsible business practices
- Aviva is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing and development
Company Specialties:
- Retirement
- Investments
- Insurance
- Health
- Insurtech
- Protection
- and Wealth
Company Website: http://www.aviva.com
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's size and industry provide opportunities for career growth and development, as well as exposure to a diverse range of products, services, and customers.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, reporting directly to the Head of Communications for the transformation program.
Reporting Structure: The Programme Communications Lead will manage a team of communications professionals, with a matrix reporting line to other program team members.
Work Arrangement: This role is based in York, with flexibility for Bristol or Norwich, and follows a hybrid work arrangement with 2 office days per week.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior communications role within Aviva or the broader insurance industry
- Expanding skills and expertise in transformation communications and stakeholder management
- Gaining experience in leading large-scale programs and managing teams
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development, with exposure to senior leadership and a wide range of stakeholders.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Aviva's offices are modern and collaborative, with a mix of open-plan and dedicated workspaces.
Office Location(s): York, Bristol, and Norwich
Geographic Context:
- York is a historic city in North Yorkshire, with a vibrant cultural scene and strong connections to the surrounding countryside
- Bristol is a diverse and creative city in South West England, known for its music, arts, and food scenes
- Norwich is a vibrant city in East Anglia, with a rich history and a strong focus on technology and innovation
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible working options available.
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's office locations provide a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to amenities and transportation links.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and a panel of stakeholders
- Final interview with the Head of Communications for the transformation program
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic communication planning and execution
- Stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Problem-solving and adaptability
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in leading large-scale transformation programs and managing multiple stakeholders
- Prepare examples of your communication plans and strategies, demonstrating your ability to anticipate and address potential challenges
- Research Aviva and the transformation program to show your enthusiasm and understanding of the role and the company
ATS Keywords: Strategic communication, transformation program, stakeholder management, influencing skills, communication planning, employee engagement, senior leadership, complex environment, highly regulated, insurance industry
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's application process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and ability to work effectively in a complex environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Design and content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for communications professionals and can be learned or adapted as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer first
- One team
- Never settle
- Responsible
- Representative
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Agile and adaptable
- Data-driven and innovative
- Focused on delivering results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate Aviva's values in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your communication approach to address sensitivities or challenges?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Aviva's company values and work style emphasize collaboration, innovation, and a customer-focused approach, with a strong commitment to responsible business practices.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires managing multiple stakeholders with competing priorities and expectations
- The transformation program is complex and highly regulated, with a fast-paced and evolving environment
- The role may require working outside of regular business hours to accommodate stakeholder needs and time zones
- The role is based in York, with flexibility for Bristol or Norwich, which may require occasional travel
ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges of this role can be mitigated through strong communication, stakeholder management, and adaptability skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Communications Manager or Head of Communications for a large-scale transformation program, but with a specific focus on employee engagement and internal communications
- Compared to other communications roles in the insurance industry, this position offers a unique opportunity to lead a complex transformation program and manage senior stakeholders
- Career progression from this role could include moving into a more senior communications role within Aviva or the broader insurance industry, or transitioning into a strategic communications consulting role
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic communication, stakeholder management, and transformation experience, with opportunities for career growth and development.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy for a multi-year, multi-vendor strategic transformation program
- Managing a team of communications professionals to deliver a series of high-profile internal and external communication campaigns
- Creating engaging and informative content for various channels and audiences, including senior leadership, employees, and external stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed are representative of the types of initiatives and activities the Programme Communications Lead would be expected to undertake in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the transformation program and the key priorities for the first 100 days in this role?
- How does this role fit into the broader communications team and organization, and what are the key stakeholder relationships?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the transformation program, and how can effective communication help to address them?
- How does Aviva support the professional development and growth of its communications team members?
- What is the expected timeline for the transformation program, and how will this impact the role and the communications strategy?
ASSUMPTION: The key questions to ask during the interview are designed to provide insight into the role, the transformation program, and Aviva's communications team and organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in leading large-scale transformation programs and managing multiple stakeholders
- Prepare a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your communication plans and strategies, demonstrating your ability to anticipate and address potential challenges
- Follow up with Martyn Biddulph, the hiring manager, one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
