External Communications Lead

Role Overview

• Engage and build relationships with trade media on collaborations to increase awareness of LCCC and our role in delivering low carbon schemes.
• Take a leading role for responding to media queries ensuring internal processes are followed and any reputational risks are identified and managed.
• Identify proactive media opportunities and write press releases, news articles and other media pieces.
• Provide written and in-person media briefings.
• Advise on media handling strategies.
• Maintain LCCC’s crisis communications plan, working with the business leads to prepare reactive media lines as required.
• Prepare LCCC spokespeople for press meetings and interviews.
• Work with teams across the business to identify, develop and deliver compelling content for the website, social media, events, printed materials, award entries and media outlets.
• Create and deliver effective integrated communications plans which will enhance LCCC’s reputation as a trusted voice in the clean energy transition.
• Help shape the strategic communications of the business, ensuring consistency and accuracy of messaging across all channels.
• Design and execute integrated campaigns to externally promote company messages.
• Prepare reports on the performance of communications activities.
• Develop and maintain the LCCC’s reputation as a source of expertise with public affairs stakeholders.
• Take a leading role for creating solid relationships with parliamentarians at Westminster, Holyrood and the Senedd, and those who influence them to raise the profile of the work that LCCC is delivering and the value we can offer as the UK works to deliver net zero.
• Be at the forefront of designing and implementing a focused and targeted public affairs strategy that is focused on informing public affairs stakeholders about LCCC’s role and perspective on low carbon energy
• in a neutral way (we do not lobby for policy change).
• Take a leading role for designing an overarching public affairs narrative and messaging, developing relationships, and executing appropriate and effective tactics, horizon scanning and reporting, providing thoughtful recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team for public affairs activity.

Requirements

• Proven experience of creating and delivering strategic communications plans and campaigns.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering impactful communications to a wide range of external stakeholders for a medium to large organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of dealing with media enquiries and managing reputational risk.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging with parliamentarians, public bodies or those who influence them.
• Experience of planning and delivering multi-channel communications.
• Excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading skills.
• Able to tailor complex information into clear engaging content for different audiences and channels.
• Ability to think strategically, with the flexibility to thrive under changing demands and competing priorities.
• Ability to negotiate matters of confidentiality and potential sensitivity with tact and a clear understanding of the issues at stake.
• Confident in dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team-player.
• Ability and willingness to take on a wider range of tasks to support the team as necessary.
• Willingness to travel to external events as required.
• Experience of reporting on the performance of communications activities.
• An understanding of the energy sector and the current challenges facing stakeholders.
• Experience of mentoring or coaching junior colleagues.
• Awareness of best practice in digital content delivery.
• Experience of conducting professional interviews both face-to-face and online.

Benefits

• Annual performance based bonus, up to 10%
• 25 days annual leave, plus eight bank holidays
• Up to 8% pension contribution
• Financial support and time off for study relevant to your role, plus a professional membership subscription
• Employee referral scheme (up to £1500), and colleague recognition scheme
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave and shared parental leave
• Free, confidential employee assistance, including financial management, family care, mental health, and on-call GP service
• Three paid volunteering days a year
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work schemes
• Family savings on days out and English Heritage, gym discounts, cash back and discounts at selected retailers
• Employee resource groups