At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead stakeholder engagement and manage reputation across multiple businesses.
- Company: Join Persimmon Homes, a leading UK housebuilder with a strong commitment to career growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, healthcare, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while advancing your career in external affairs.
- Qualifications: Experience in public affairs or communications, with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are recruiting an External Affairs Manager to join our External Affairs team. This role can be based at any of our following offices: Newcastle, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham or Leeds - with regular travel across the region. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs (Yorkshire & North East), you will work closely with Managing Directors and regional teams in a hands-on role focused on managing reputation and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. You will play a central role in delivering our external affairs strategy across six operating businesses: leading engagement with councillors, MPs, officers, media and local communities. This role would suit someone ready to step up into their first manager role, or an experienced external affairs or communications professional looking for broader responsibility.
What you'll do as a Divisional External Affairs Manager:
- Organising and leading stakeholder engagement to support planning applications; working directly with councillors, MPs, officers and local communities.
- Responding to media enquiries, identifying proactive PR opportunities and promoting positive stories.
- Drafting clear, high-quality communications including press releases, briefings and stakeholder correspondence.
- Advising senior colleagues on political, reputational and communications issues.
- Monitoring political and policy developments; identifying risks and opportunities.
- Anticipating and helping manage reputational risks.
- Ensuring consistent messaging across external affairs, press and internal communications.
What experience do I need?
- Experience engaging with political, community or business stakeholders.
- Background in public affairs, communications, PR or a political environment; this could include roles in local authorities, consultancies/agencies or working in an MP's office.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proven ability to deliver proactive communications or PR opportunities.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and advising on approach.
- Experience in a large or complex organisation would be advantageous.
Divisional External Affairs Manager in Wideopen 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Divisional External Affairs Manager in Wideopen
✨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 Wideopen
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.
