Communications Specialist

Location

Hybrid, with a base in York, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cambridge, Swindon, Bristol or Portsmouth

Contract

Permanent, Full Time

Salary

Greater London salary range

£36,078–£37,451

Industry

• Public Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
• Overview

Our client, a national public‑sector organisation working to protect and enhance the historic environment, is seeking an External Affairs Officer to support its stakeholder, political and sector engagement activity.

Working within the External Affairs team, you will help strengthen relationships with local authorities, elected representatives, mayors, Members of Parliament, developers, sector partners and other influential stakeholders.

You will support the delivery of strategic priorities relating to growth, place and sector development while promoting consistent and effective stakeholder engagement across the organisation.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an organised and collaborative communications professional to build experience in public affairs, stakeholder management, partnership working and engagement systems within a high‑profile national organisation.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of stakeholder, political, sector and partnership engagement activity.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Help monitor engagement with local authority senior officers, elected representatives, mayors and Members of Parliament.
• Support relationships with developers, heritage‑sector organisations and strategic partners.
• Maintain accurate records of stakeholder activity, partnerships and engagement outcomes.
• Use internal systems and data to track relationships, actions, priorities and progress.
• Champion good practice in stakeholder engagement across the organisation.
• Provide advice and practical support to colleagues undertaking external engagement.
• Coordinate information and updates across teams to improve visibility of key relationships.
• Support internal processes, reporting requirements and organisational change initiatives.
• Identify gaps, risks and opportunities within stakeholder engagement activity.
• Prepare clear briefings, summaries, updates and supporting documentation.
• Work collaboratively with communications colleagues and wider organisational teams.
• Manage competing priorities and deliver accurate work under pressure.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of external affairs systems and processes.

Requirements

• Experience managing or supporting relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build credible, professional relationships with colleagues, partners and senior stakeholders.
• Confidence using data, digital systems and record‑management tools.
• Experience maintaining accurate information, trackers or stakeholder databases.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
• Experience supporting internal processes, service improvements or organisational change.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.
• Sound judgement and the ability to handle sensitive or complex information appropriately.
• A commitment to inclusive working practices and equality of opportunity.
• Experience within public affairs, external affairs, communications, government relations or stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of local or national government structures.
• Experience engaging with elected representatives, local authorities or public‑sector partners.
• Familiarity with the heritage, planning, regeneration, property or cultural sectors.
• Experience producing stakeholder briefings, engagement reports or relationship maps.
• Understanding of partnership management and political awareness.

Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package, including

• A defined benefit pension scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• 28 days of annual leave.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Potential options including job sharing, part‑time working and compressed hours.
• Free entry to heritage sites across England.
• Learning, development and career progression opportunities.
• A strong commitment to employee wellbeing and work‑life balance.
• Reasonable workplace adjustments for disabled and neurodivergent employees.
• Application Process

Applications should be submitted through the relevant online recruitment platform.

The recruitment process is skills‑based and may require candidates to answer a series of application questions rather than submit a traditional CV.

Responses will be assessed against the following areas

• Data and systems capability.
• Communication and collaboration.
• Supporting internal processes and change.
• Prioritisation and working under pressure.

Applicants should ensure that all information is accurate, original and reflects their own experience.

Any assistive tools used during the application process should support, rather than replace, the candidate’s own responses.

Our client is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Applications are particularly encouraged from groups that are currently underrepresented within the organisation.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

#J-18808-Ljbffr