About the role
In this role, you will support the implementation of strategic leadership, governance and professional oversight for all project communications activity across the North & Midlands region.
The role ensures communications is embedded within project delivery, supports customer and stakeholder objectives and contractual requirements, protects and enhances reputation, drives consistency and best practice, and supports the development of a high-performing project communications community.
What you'll be doing
The accountabilities include but are not limited to:
- Drive the delivery of the One Comms Collective Strategy by shaping regional
implementation plans and ensuring successful project delivery of our contractual
requirements, customer satisfaction, stakeholder confidence and reputation management
- Lead, develop and inspire the regional Project Communications community, creating a high-performing culture through coaching, succession planning, capability development and talent management. Own regional communications resource planning and workforce strategy, ensuring the function has the capability, capacity and specialist expertise required to meet current and future business needs
- Provide strategic oversight of stakeholder engagement, customer communications, community relations and employee engagement activities, ensuring alignment to business objectives and customer contractual deliverables
- Lead the identification and delivery of strategic communications opportunities that enhance the profile and reputation of our projects, business and people, supporting growth ambitions, talent attraction, customer relationships and market positioning
- Establish and govern communications standards, policies, governance processes and performance measures
- Act as the senior communications authority for the region, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, customer, governance and brand requirements.
- Lead the strategic management and escalation of reputational opportunities and risks arising from projects, programmes and wider business activities
- Build and maintain senior customer relationships, acting as a trusted advisor on
communications, reputation and stakeholder matters
- Champion innovation, continuous improvement and best practice, driving the adoption of new approaches, tools and insights to enhance communications effectiveness
- Promote best practice and innovation in communications delivery across all projects and programmes
- Work closely with Group Communications, Media Relations, Public Affairs and Business Leadership teams on high-profile or sensitive matters
- Lead regional crisis communications preparedness and response capability, ensuring robust processes, governance and leadership readiness are in place
- Shape and influence work-winning activity, providing strategic communications
leadership to bids, customer engagement and business development initiatives
- Use insight, feedback and data to drive continuous improvement
- Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning across the business, ensuring best practice, innovation and lessons learned are embedded and replicated across projects, regions and functions
Who we're looking for
Essential:
- Extensive communications leadership experience within infrastructure, engineering, construction or other complex operational environments
- Strong understanding of stakeholder management, customer communications,
community relations and reputation management
- Experience managing sensitive and complex issues
- Excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills
- Self-starter with the ability to manage conflicting deadlines
- Strong analysis and problem-solving skills
- Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office
Desirable:
- Bachelor's Degree in marketing, public relations, communications or a related field
- Member of CIPR and relevant qualification
- Valid CSCS card
- Good understanding of the regulatory environment in construction/rail/utility industries
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
About us
Balfour Beatty Group Enabling Functions are Legal, Finance, IT and Procurement, Communications, Health Safety and Environment, HR and Sustainability. Together, they support delivery of our Build to Last strategy whilst improving efficiencies and standardising our approach, systems and processes.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: [email protected]
Job Reference: BBUK20930
