Five years ago, Communicate launched the Employer Brand Management Awards to recognise those companies that are communicating most effectively with prospective employees and building a corporate reputation based on being a desirable employer.

Now, the awards is open for entries for its 2020 programme, seeking the companies that most effectively manage their employer brands. Winners have time and again shown how vital it is to establish a reputation as a good employer. As well as improving and aiding staff retention, this also serves to provide a positive statement to audiences, such as customers, and to build the market perception of each organisation.

Previous winners have included the likes of Airbus, SAP, Vodafone, Unilever, the British Army and McDonald’s, among many others. These companies have set the benchmark for the management of their employer brands and the positioning of their reputations for the attraction, retention and engagement of employees.

“For those in internal communications, human resources, brand management or employer brand management, the Employer Brand Management Awards is a celebration of your work. It recognises the companies who make commitments to achieving the best for their employees and prospective employees,” says publishing editor of Communicate magazine, Brittany Golob. “Best of luck to every company entering their work into the 2020 Employer Brand Management Awards.”

The entry process into the awards requires a case study and supporting imagery or other touchpoints that will help the panel of expert judges determine who sets the standard for employer brand management. Judges have in the past been drawn from the leading FTSE listed business, major broadcasters and previous awards winners. Every entry is considered by this panel throughout the judging process.

Entries are accepted until 8 November, those received by 27 September will receive £100 off their total entry cost. To find out more and enter your work click here. Contact Lauren Ditcher for more information.

The list of categories includes: 

Best alignment of the employer value proposition with corporate brand values
Best communication of the employer brand to the external audience
Best communication of the employer brand to the internal audience
Best short-term or one-off employer brand campaign
Best diversity brand
Best digital communication of the employer brand
Best use of social media in the management or promotion of the employer brand
Best use of employer brand in customer marketing
Best employer brand management programme following changed mission, positioning or management
Best employer brand management programme following a merger or acquisition
Best alumni programme
Best brand ambassador programme
Best employee experience 
Best localisation of a global employer brand management programme
Best employer brand management event
Best employer brand innovation
Best ongoing commitment to employer brand management

Best employer brand management by sector  

• Charity/NGO/NFP
• Education
• Energy and utilities
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Financial services
• FMCG
• Food and beverage
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
• Industry and basic materials
• Mining and extractives sector
• Professional services
• Property, construction and facilities management
• Public sector
• Retail
• Technology, media and telecommunications
• Transport and logistics
• Travel, leisure and tourism

Best creative execution of the employer brand
Grand Prix of employer brand management
(These two awards cannot be entered directly and will be judged from the pool of entrants)