Communications and Engagement Lead

Communications and Engagement Lead

Temporary Home office (partial)
Guidant Global

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead communications and engagement for major growth and transport programmes in the region.
  • Company: Join a leading organisation shaping the future of Bristol's infrastructure and community.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence regional development and collaborate across sectors.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of transformative projects that enhance community and economic growth.
  • Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in communications, with a knack for stakeholder engagement.
  • Communications And Engagement Lead
  • Contract Length - 3 Months
  • Payrate - £400 per day PAYE/£515.52 per day Umbrella

Location - Bristol (Start ASAP, Hybrid working requirement to be in the office approx 2 days a week.)

One of our Client is leading a number of the region's most significant growth and place-making programmes.

These include the development of the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), the Brabazon & West Innovation Arc (WIA) new town programme, the Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England, and the development and delivery of a mass transit transport system.

Together, these programmes will help shape how the region grows over the coming decades, delivering homes, jobs, infrastructure and investment that support inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

These roles are central to building public understanding, stakeholder confidence and political support for these programmes.

The postholders will act as the communications and engagement leads, developing compelling narratives, leading engagement and consultation activity, and ensuring that the region presents a coherent, coordinated story around growth, infrastructure, transport, and place-making.

As the Communications and Engagement Lead, you will

  • Lead communications, engagement and consultation activity across the programmes, effectively communicating the vision for growth, infrastructure, and sustainable transport.
  • Build and manage relationships with key local, regional and national stakeholders, helping to secure support and confidence in strategic growth programmes.
  • Lead communications and engagement activity associated with the preparation of major projects associated with Place or Mass Transit, ensuring communities can meaningfully participate in shaping the future of the region.
  • Work closely with other key growth-focused programmes within the Combined Authority to ensure a consistent, compelling narrative focused around economic growth.
  • Ensure consistency of messaging and engagement approaches across major growth programmes.
  • Lead the client-side management of external communications, engagement and consultation consultants appointed to support these programmes.
  • Operate within a matrix-managed environment, requiring effective collaboration across directorates and accountability to both functional and programme leadership arrangements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Working across Client's Communications and Marketing team and the relevant delivery Directorates (Transport and Place), key duties and responsibilities will include:

  • Planning and delivering proactive engagement activity using a range of channels to support the delivery of the Strategic Growth and Place / Mass Transit programmes, working within the corporate Communications and Marketing team, as well as with the teams responsible for the delivery of the programmes.
  • Leading consultant teams to support delivery of specific communications, engagement and public affairs related activity, and managing them through appropriate contractual arrangements.
  • Owning and developing key stakeholder relationships, in partnership with relevant colleagues.
  • Working with partner Unitary Authorities to ensure a regional and collaborative approach to strategic growth and infrastructure delivery, and to design communications strategies that work for the diverse communities in the region.
  • Planning and leading public consultations including promotion, design, project management, analysis, interpretation and dissemination.
  • Ensuring consultation and engagement activity is inclusive and reaches the West of England's diverse communities and hard-to-reach groups.

ESSENTIAL (MUST HAVE)

Qualifications and Knowledge

  • Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
  • Understanding of communications, engagement and consultation principles in a public sector environment.

Experience

  • Experience of delivering communications and engagement programmes for complex, high-profile transport or infrastructure projects.
  • Experience of working across multiple stakeholders with differing priorities and interests.
  • Experience of developing and implementing communications and engagement strategies.
  • Experience of delivering or overseeing public consultation and community engagement activity.
  • Experience of building productive relationships with regional and national stakeholders.
  • Experience of operating within a political environment.

Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to manage complex relationships with a range of stakeholders with competing priorities.
  • Excellent communication skills including writing, presentation, influencing, negotiation, demonstrable political sensitivity, tact and diplomacy as well as strong relationship management skills
  • Ability to translate technical information into clear messages for a broad audience
  • Willingness to work in a collaborative matrix management style
  • Ability to develop compelling narratives around complex policy and delivery programmes.
  • Strong political awareness, judgement and sensitivity.

DESIRABLE

  • An understanding of local, regional and national context relevant to the delivery of strategic growth, place or transport programmes.
  • An understanding of how major projects are developed, approved and funded
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Communications and Engagement Lead employer: Guidant Global

Guidant Global is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, perfect for those looking to thrive in high-volume recruitment. With a strong emphasis on employee development and collaboration, team members benefit from ongoing training opportunities and the chance to build meaningful relationships with clients across the Midlands area. The hybrid working model not only promotes work-life balance but also allows for flexibility and autonomy in managing your workload.

Guidant Global

Contact Details:

Guidant Global Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Communications and Engagement Lead

Join PR Communities

Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.

Attend PR Events

Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!

Showcase Your Skills

Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.

Apply Directly on Our Website

When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like Guidant Global, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!

We think you need these skills to ace Communications and Engagement Lead

Communications Strategy Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Public Consultation Management
Interpersonal Skills
Political Sensitivity
Narrative Development
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Guidant Global and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.

Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Guidant Global even on a short-term basis!

Research Guidant Global and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Guidant Global and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Guidant Global

Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills

In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!

Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns

Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Guidant Global right away!

Know Your Media Landscape

A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!

Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies

Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Guidant Global. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!