Communications Officer

South East Water UK; Snodland; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per

Flexible annual leave policy to buy or

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking an Engineering Comms Officer to bridge major infrastructure projects with communities, protecting the company’s reputation. You will craft bespoke campaigns, manage events, and navigate fast-paced media relations, while ensuring stakeholders are informed and inspired.

The role is based in Snodland and offers autonomy to develop ideas within a supportive team, with responsibilities across campaigns, content, and crisis communications.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in a communication or PR discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Solid journalism (TV, radio or print) or public relations/communications experience.
• Strong skills in strategic planning, copywriting, media relations, and crisis communications management.
• Media confidence with ability to handle media and stakeholders confidently.
• Full driving licence and willingness to participate in a standby rota.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stay calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Targeted Campaigning: understand communities and create campaigns for broad audiences.
• Content Creation: draft briefing notes, press releases, website copy, and social media content.
• Event Management: organise and attend in-person and virtual community events.
• Media Relations: identify positive coverage opportunities and brief spokespeople.
• Crisis Management: participate in out-of-hours standby rota for emergencies.
• Simplifying Complexity: turn technical engineering information into easy-to-understand material for the public.
• Stakeholder Liaison: work with designers, photographers, and contractors to bring materials to life.

Skills

Strategic planning

Copywriting

Media relations

Crisis communications

Public relations

Flexibility

Adaptability

Education

Degree in communications/PR

Job description

Summary

Are you a natural storyteller who can turn complex engineering plans into engaging community conversations? Do you want to play a vital role in protecting the reputation of a company that provides one of life’s most essential resources?

If you’re looking for a role where your work has a tangible impact on the world around you, this is it. As our Engineering Comms Officer, you’ll be the bridge between our major infrastructure projects and the communities we serve. Whether you are looking for a role with a real sense of purpose, or ready to take on challenging, high-profile projects, we offer an environment where your expertise is valued and your professional growth is supported.

You’ll spend your days crafting bespoke campaigns, managing events, and navigating the fast-paced world of media relations. It’s a role that requires you to be agile, as you will be pivoting between multiple projects with competing needs while ensuring our customers and stakeholders are kept informed and inspired. Based in Snodland, you’ll be part of a team that values fresh ideas and provides the autonomy to see them through.

Main responsibilities

• Targeted Campaigning: Develop a deep understanding of our communities and identify key stakeholders to create campaigns that reach broad audiences with the right message.

• Content Creation: Draft high-quality materials including briefing notes, press releases, website copy, and social media content like videos.

• Event Management: Organise and attend both in-person and virtual community events that “open our audiences’ eyes to water.”

• Media Relations: Identify opportunities for positive coverage, manage media interviews, and brief spokespeople confidently.

• Crisis Management: Join our out-of-hours standby rota (approximately one week in four) to help manage communications during emergencies.

• Simplifying Complexity: Take technical, complex engineering information and turn it into easy-to-understand materials for the public.

• Stakeholder Liaison: Work closely with designers, photographers, and contractors to bring your PR materials and events to life.

You’ll need

Experience / Skills / Qualifications

• Education: A degree-level qualification in a communication or PR-related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Professional Background: Solid experience in journalism (TV, radio, or print) or public relations/communications (either agency or in-house).

• Technical Skills: Strong skills in strategic planning, copywriting, media relations, and crisis communications management.

• Media Confidence: Essential experience and knowledge of the press, with the ability to deal confidently with media and stakeholders.

• Flexibility: A full driving licence and the willingness to participate in a standby rota.

• Adaptability: The ability to handle multiple projects at once and remain calm under pressure.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.

• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.

• Paid volunteering days.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Health cash plan.

• Life assurance.

• Wellbeing related benefits.

What can you expect from your recruitment

• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.

• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

Compensation package

up to £32,938 p.a. plus car allowance of £6492 p.a.