At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications and media relations for HS2, shaping messaging and engaging stakeholders.
- Company: Join HS2 Ltd, a high-profile railway programme making waves in the transport sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, personal development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence government and public perception.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on HS2's reputation and engage with key stakeholders at all levels.
- Qualifications: Experience in media relations and public affairs, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 44595 - 54505 £ per year.
HS2 Ltd's External Affairs Director leads all external and internal communications, media relations, and stakeholder and workforce engagement for the railway programme. The post covers crisis handling, countering inaccurate claims, building HS2's reputation and leading the public affairs team. It is senior and high-profile, representing the programme across government, parliament and the regions and engaging the supply chain.
What the job involves
- Accountable for all external and internal communications, media relations, and stakeholder and workforce engagement.
- Lead strategic horizon scanning, identify emerging trends and shape messaging.
- Lead HS2's media relations, including issues and crisis management and countering inaccurate claims.
- Monitor press coverage.
- Lead proactive engagement of the workforce across HS2 Ltd and the supply chain for safe, efficient delivery at the lowest feasible cost.
- Build HS2's reputation as an expert delivery organisation, leading externally facing campaigns and telling the railway's story.
- Set the strategy for the public affairs team and engage senior stakeholders nationally and along the route.
- Represent HS2 at the highest level across government, parliament and the regions, and liaise with the HS2 Commissioner.
- Advise on day-to-day reactive media handling and communicate longer-term strategic objectives.
- Promote and embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all work and comply with EDI policies.
What’s required
Experience
- Working with local councils, government and private sector organisations.
- Leading the development, delivery and measurement of media relations strategies and campaigns.
- Operating in a contentious or complex environment with media, parliamentary, business and stakeholder engagement.
- Extensive experience in a high-profile, fast-paced matrix organisation.
- Extensive experience leading a public affairs team to a high standard.
- Operating in a highly commercial environment on a high-value, high-profile programme.
Skills & knowledge
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication, explaining complex, sensitive issues persuasively to varied audiences.
- Strong analytical skills, interpreting changing landscapes and stakeholder views.
- Influencing and managing stakeholders at senior executive level.
- Leadership and team management.
- Political awareness and understanding.
- Knowledge of British media and press operations, news cycles and government communications processes.
What’s offered
- Flexible working.
- Reasonable adjustments.
- Staff networks.
- Personal and professional development opportunities.
External Affairs Director in London employer: HS2 Ltd.
Balfour Beatty VINCI is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Coventry where you can contribute to the transformative HS2 project alongside a diverse team of nearly 9,000 professionals. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, flexible working options, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, we foster a culture that values inclusivity and innovation, ensuring every team member plays a vital role in delivering critical infrastructure while prioritising safety and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land External Affairs Director in London
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like HS2 Ltd.. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like HS2 Ltd., can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research HS2 Ltd. inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace External Affairs Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of HS2 Ltd.. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at HS2 Ltd..
How to prepare for a job interview at HS2 Ltd.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
