External Communications Consultant

About the role

We're looking for an experienced external communications professional to join our Corporate Communications team.

The successful candidate will be able to provide expert advice and deliver all aspects of external communications - including social media, press releases, media management, crisis communications and stakeholder relations.

You’ll be expected to play a key role in the delivery and implementation of integrated communications plans across our Northumbrian and Essex & Suffolk Water operating areas.

An important part of this role is being able to protect the reputation of the two organisations by using all areas of Public Relations - through media briefings, public speaking opportunities, and stakeholder events, whilst maintaining key regional media and stakeholder relationships.

You will always be on the lookout for media and PR opportunities and will actively research, write and promote pro-active news stories and stakeholder communications. As well as identifying opportunities, we are looking for someone skilled at seeing potential issues and reactively responding to media and stakeholder enquiries.

As well as this, an important aspect of the job is being able to build good working relationships both internally and externally and being able to provide expert communications support and guidance as well as challenging when necessary to produce results.

About you

You will need to be proactive, dynamic, and enthusiastic individual with significant experience of working in media and stakeholder relations. You’ll also have proven experience of being able to build good working relationships with key senior regional stakeholders and understand the regions media outlets too.

The successful candidate will be able to create, plan and deliver a high standard of communications activity, often under time pressure. You will need to be skilled at researching, writing, and editing engaging and creative content for a range of communication channels.

You will need to be resourceful and resilient, and able to juggle multiple projects and competing demands. You will be happy working independently as well as collaborating as part of a wider team. Being able to remain calm under pressure is essential, and we are looking for someone who can prioritise your time and resources efficiently and effectively to ensure that all your activities and projects are delivered in line with our values.

This is a great opportunity to take on communications role where you can have a clear impact and develop your existing skills. So, if you are ambitious, detail-focused, calm under pressure and have experience of managing multiple projects and competing demands in a fast-moving and challenging environment, then we want to hear from you.

Please note this role will require a DBS to be completed prior to employment.