Senior Project Communications Manager

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.

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

L ead 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

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

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.

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…

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: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com