External Affairs Manager

Hemiko are recruiting for an External Affairs Manager reporting to the Senior External Affairs Manager.

The successful candidate will be responsible for strengthening Hemiko’s relationships with all external stakeholders to support the Growth and Project Development Teams. This is a mid-level role within the business.

Principally, their role is focused on ensuring that Hemiko can develop and grow its heat networks by:

1. Building strong relationships with local stakeholders, grounded in meaningful communications, community benefit and social value;
2. Raising Hemiko’s local and national profile across media and political organisations to create a supportive environment for the development of heat networks.

We appreciate that no one’s circumstances are the same and having the flexibility in working environments work is essential to our wellbeing. If this is significant to you let us know when you apply, and we will discuss how this could work in your role.

Hemiko strives to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from anyone regardless of ethnic origin, gender, gender expression, disability, age, trade union activity, marital status, religious belief, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

We are Armed Forces friendly. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

About Hemiko

Hemiko is a leading UK heat networks investor and developer.

We are a fast-growing, innovative business, backed by CVC DIF, looking to invest in and deliver over £1bn of heat network projects. These are major infrastructure projects that will decarbonise heating for towns and cities.

We are looking to lead on town and city scale decarbonisation. We recognise that the decarbonisation of heating and the built environment is one of the most complex areas of decarbonisation, but heat networks in towns and cities are 40% cheaper than the alternative heat decarbonisation pathway - this is where we are focused and where we will be deploying our investment and our resource.

We are an innovative, intelligence led company, looking to attract people who think around a problem and past an issue. We want to be at the front end of commercial and technical innovation and are looking for team members to come on that journey.

Hemiko is absolutely committed to an honest and collaborative approach to all our work, always looking for better ways to do things. We put communities and people at the heart of what we do.

We are a friendly, approachable business in the very rapidly growing low carbon energy sector, which provides significant opportunities for career flexibility and development.

The Role

Hemiko are seeking an External Affairs Manager to work in the Growth Department.

Specifically, the successful candidate will have experience working on communications, public affairs, social value, or community engagement.

The focused nature of the business and our rapid growth means that the candidate has significant opportunity to develop their career in a friendly environment working with and alongside a broadly experienced team of commercial professionals of varying levels.

Candidate

We are looking for someone who is friendly, approachable, communicative and a strategic thinker. They need to be comfortable writing compelling narratives, speaking publicly, and working with senior stakeholders in a fast paced and challenging environment.

Key Responsibilities:

The External Affairs Manager will support the Senior External Affairs Manager in building and maintaining strong relationships with external stakeholders at both a national and local level. They will work across several projects (including Westminster, Lincoln, Worthing and OPDC) to ensure high levels of local political, community, and business buy-in.

With support from the Senior External Affairs Manager, the role will involve working with our Connections, Project Development, and Construction Teams, as well as liaising with external advisors and consultants. The role is expected to encompass two key areas:

Communications and Public Affairs

Support the delivery of our political and media engagement locally and nationally, working closely with the Senior External Affairs Manager and Growth Director. This will encompass:

• Supporting the Construction Team to deliver an excellent construction communications programme for our construction sites, initially focusing on Worthing, but over time supporting on other projects as they come online.
• Drafting high quality and targeted local press releases with support from the Senior External Affairs Manager and external consultants, and monitoring press coverage.
• Managing the organisation of B2B and B2C external events end-to-end, ensuring they engage the correct stakeholders and are delivered on time and on budget.
• Creating resources and materials to connect with and engage local stakeholders, such as case studies, fact sheets, posters, etc. – supported by external design support.
• Drafting engaging content for Hemiko’s digital channels (social media, web etc.).
• Managing communications channels for local projects, responding to resident complaints, and escalating them to the appropriate team member.
• Preparing briefing materials for political stakeholders on policy and regulatory issues of relevance to Hemiko.
• Providing advice and support to the Connections, Project Development, and Construction Teams to support them to engage with local political, business, and public stakeholders.
• Supporting the Senior External Affairs Manager with public affairs, for example attending meetings or holding relationships with local councils and local MPs.

Social Value and Community Engagement

Support the Senior External Affairs Manager to deliver impactful social value and community benefit initiatives to ensure buy-in for Hemiko projects. This will encompass:

• Drafting and delivering a Social Value and Engagement Plan for each project in cooperation with the Connections Manager, identifying partner organisations and opportunities to deliver tangible community benefit in each area, including curriculum support, job creation, local grants and volunteering.
• Coordinating social value delivery across the business, to ensure that Hemiko’s wider team is participating in social value initiatives and volunteering their skills.
• Representing Hemiko on community for a (e.g. Construction Sounding Board, Partner Forum) and identifying opportunities to deliver social value in project areas.
• Delivering effective engagement with local stakeholders, including connections, businesses, charities, BIDs, etc., via events, press, 1-2-1 meetings, social media etc.
• Facilitating impactful and informative community engagement events that position Hemiko as a trusted partner in the local area.
• Feeding into bids that Hemiko makes to win new heat networks work on social value delivery and plans.
• Regular reporting on social value, including to Project Oversight Committees and boards.
• Keeping track of social value budgets across projects and providing timely updates to the Senior External Affairs Manager.

Alongside these responsibilities, the External Affairs Manager is expected to proactively develop relationships for Hemiko, which will benefit the growth of new heat networks.

• Working with the Connections Team to target strategic relationship development at areas where we would like to develop heat networks in future.
• Attending conferences and events across the UK to network.
• Other duties as required.

Desirable Profile

• 2+ years communications, social value, community engagement, and/or public affairs experience.
• Demonstrable experience or strong interest in energy, infrastructure and/or the built environment.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with external stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability under changing circumstances.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms, including social media and content management systems.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualifications are a plus.

Remuneration and Info

• Remuneration: depending on experience.
• Discretionary bonus based on individual and business performance.
• An inclusive culture that promotes diversity.
• Holidays 25 days a year plus statutory holidays - with an option to purchase, or sell, up to an additional 5 days per annual leave year.
• Pension plan provision.
• Private health care scheme available.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric Car lease scheme.
• Health and well-being support.
• Continuing learning and development opportunities.
• Company PC/laptop, etc.

Application

To apply, please complete the online application form on BambooHR. However, for an informal chat please contact Joseff Reed, Senior External Affairs Manager: joseff.reed@hemiko.com.