Divisional External Affairs Manager in Norwich

Divisional External Affairs Manager in Norwich

Norwich Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
P

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead stakeholder engagement and manage press activities across our Eastern counties division.
  • Company: Join Persimmon Homes, one of the UK's largest housebuilders with a strong reputation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, healthcare, and fantastic employee perks.
  • Other info: Flexible location options and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic industry.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in external affairs while building your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in PR or press office roles, with strong attention to detail and multitasking skills.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

The purpose of the role is to support the delivery of an external affairs strategy across our 7 operating businesses in the Eastern counties division. This will involve managing and sometimes leading on local stakeholder engagement and press activity while working closely with the Head of External Affairs, local Managing Directors and other senior management.

You will be required to support and advise on key stakeholder and press relationships; drafting press releases, letters and other appropriate communications to deliver our strategy; organising stakeholder and press events; understanding and identifying key political and policy issues and trends that impact Persimmon's business; ensuring Persimmon's key messages are delivered to the right audiences in the correct manner. This is likely to include both briefing senior colleagues and in your own discussions with key stakeholders; helping to ensure press, public affairs and internal communications messages are aligned. As well as helping to manage local press relations and co-ordinate with social media and internal communication colleagues.

Frequent travel across the Central division is required.

  • Experience engaging with political and business stakeholders.
  • Previous experience in a press office or PR related role would be beneficial.
  • High level of attention to detail.
  • Ability to work on multiple tasks at any one time and meet competing deadlines.
  • Proven record of generating positive, proactive press and PR stories.
  • Experience working in a large organisation would be advantageous.

Location: Norwich, NR7. However, we’re flexible on location across the South East of England. We also have offices in Witham, Maidstone, Norwich and Suffolk.

Join Persimmon Homes and step into a role where your success is celebrated, your growth supported, and your work truly matters.

Why Persimmon Homes? We’re one of the UK's largest and most established housebuilders - FTSE 100 listed, with 29 regional offices and thousands of quality homes built every year. At Persimmon, we don’t just build homes - we build careers.

When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

  • Competitive salary
  • Company Car/Car Allowance
  • Life Cover & Contributory Pension
  • Healthcare Bonus
  • Employee Benefits Platform - giving you access to high-street discounts, wellbeing support, and more.

Committed to diversity, inclusion, and empowering your development.

Divisional External Affairs Manager in Norwich employer: Persimmon

At Persimmon Homes, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the housebuilding sector, offering a dynamic work environment in Heavitree, Devon. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Join us as an In-House Solicitor and enjoy the unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while advancing your career within a supportive team.

P

Contact Details:

Persimmon Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Divisional External Affairs Manager in Norwich

✨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 Persimmon. 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 Persimmon, 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 Persimmon 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 Divisional External Affairs Manager in Norwich

Stakeholder Engagement
Press Relations
Communication Skills
Event Organisation
Political Awareness
Policy Analysis
Attention to Detail

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 Persimmon. 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 Persimmon.

How to prepare for a job interview at Persimmon

✨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.