External Communications Manager

BASF; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking an External Communications Manager to enhance its reputation across the UK and Ireland. This role involves developing strategic communications, managing media relations, and curating digital content. With a focus on crisis management and collaborative projects, you'll play a crucial part in maintaining the company's voice. The position offers a dynamic work environment with responsibilities from day one and opportunities for professional growth. If you're passionate about communication and eager to make an impact, this role is a perfect fit for you.

Benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Share Scheme

Private Healthcare

Life Insurance

Flexible Working

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Corporate Communications, preferably in the chemical industry.
• Adept at using multiple channels for effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Promote and protect the company voice through effective communication.
• Write and disseminate press releases and monitor media relations.

Skills

Corporate Communications

Media Relations

Crisis Communications

Event Support

Digital Communication

Project Management

Interpersonal Communication

Education

Degree in Communication or Marketing

Experience in Corporate Communications

Tools

Microsoft Tools

Social Media Platforms

Job description

WELCOME TO BASF

BASF plc is a subsidiary of BASF SE, marketing a wide range of BASF products in the UK. These include agricultural solutions, automotive refinish paints, acrylic monomers, fine chemicals, intermediate chemicals, speciality chemicals, dispersions, and plastics.

The role of the External Communications Manager is to promote, develop and protect the BASF voice in UK and Ireland through effective corporate communication with journalists, opinion leaders, customers and employees.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

As External Communications Manager your responsibilities will include:

• Promote and protect the BASF voice: Develop and maintain the company's reputation and brand in UK and Ireland through effective communication with journalists, opinion leaders, customers, and employees.
• Media relations: Write, disseminate, and monitor press releases, editorials, and feature articles. Ensure all media enquiries are answered promptly and accurately. Monitor media to safeguard the company's reputation and address any incorrect or misleading statements.
• Electronic communications: Curate, develop, and maintain the regional company websites and social media content.
• Crisis communications: Respond quickly and effectively to the press as part of the incident management team. Prepare and brief spokespeople, including the Managing Director, for open and honest communication.
• Event support: Support external events such as trade fairs, business conferences, and customer briefings. Produce publicity pre- and post-event, including social media and feature articles.
• Collaborative projects: Work closely with colleagues in UK and Ireland on internal and external communications. Collaborate with colleagues across BASF group worldwide on external communications topics.
  

WHAT YOU OFFER

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, ideally in communication or marketing-related fields such as English or Journalism, with extensive experience in Corporate Communications, preferably within the chemical industry. Experience in external communications is essential.
• Adept at using multiple channels (social media, internet, podcasts, videos, articles) and information technology skills (eg Microsoft tools) for business and digital delivery.
• Good working knowledge of UK and Ireland's institutions, media networks, politics, current environmental issues, and their relationship to the organisation for effective messaging.
• Creative and proactive, with strong attention to detail, excellent time and project management skills. Possessing the ability to plan, prioritize, and manage a demanding workload to meet deadlines while maintaining high quality.
• Exceptional written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences and generating trust and confidence at all levels.
• Understanding of corporate disciplines including confidentiality, mutual briefing, and acting within limits of authority.

WHAT WE OFFER

Responsibility from day one in a challenging work environment and "on-the-job" training as part of a committed team.

At BASF we offer a total package which includes not only an attractive salary and bonus but also benefits including a defined contribution pension scheme; a share scheme; private healthcare and life insurance to name a few. We are happy to talk flexible working.

We believe that diversity and inclusion make the difference. Only when people with diverse backgrounds come together, contribute their various experiences and attitudes, and look at challenges from different perspectives, will creative innovations and ground-breaking solutions be created. We celebrate diversity and we actively promote an inclusive work environment. In the UK we have an active Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Action Group and work closely with external partner Inclusive Employers. We are an equal opportunities employer. All employment decisions shall be made without regard or reference to age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status and other protected characteristics. For more information please visit: https://www.basf.com/gb/en/careers/why-join-basf/basf-locally.html

Location: Stockport (Hybrid Working – 3 days in office)

Part-time (28hrs / 35 FTE – 4 days per week)

Closing Date: 18.05.2025

ABOUT US

Operating in the UK since 1880, BASF currently has 10 locations across the UK, from Littlehampton on the South Coast of England to Callanish on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. Our UK headquarters are in Stockport, Greater Manchester and that’s where our sales and services teams are based. From our six manufacturing sites across the UK, we supply raw materials to most industries including agriculture, automotive, chemicals, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals. You can find out a bit more about where over 700 people from our amazing BASF team work here: https://www.basf.com/gb/en/who-we-are/BASF-in-the-United-Kingdom