External Affairs & Marketing Director (Maternity Cover)

Alexander Dennis; Larbert; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bus manufacturing company in Larbert, Scotland is seeking an External Affairs & Marketing Director to drive strategic leadership and public engagement initiatives. The role involves developing marketing strategies, managing stakeholder relationships, and overseeing communications to enhance the company’s reputation. Candidates should possess senior-level experience in public affairs and marketing, a strong understanding of political processes, and excellent leadership skills. An attractive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Generous salary package

37-hour working week

Employee development programs

Increased annual leave with tenure

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in public affairs, marketing, or communications.
• Strong understanding of government and political processes.
• Proven success in building strong corporate brands.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement external affairs and marketing strategy.
• Build relationships with government bodies and stakeholders.
• Oversee global marketing and communications activities.

Skills

Public affairs expertise

Strategic leadership

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Marketing campaign management

Education

Degree in communications, marketing, or business

Job description

External Affairs & Marketing Director

Larbert, Scotland

Maternity Cover - 10 months

We're leading the transition to zero-emission mobility.

Alexander Dennis is a global leader in the design and manufacture of double deck buses and is the UK’s largest bus manufacturer.

At Alexander Dennis, and across NFI and our family of brands, we are helping to save the planet. Through our Sustainability Pledge, which guides our daily actions and long-term planning, we are passionate about creating a better product, a better workplace, and a better world. To learn more about our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) journey check our website. Our diverse, dynamic and resourceful team members embrace challenges every day which makes us the successful international company that we are.

Are you ready to embrace the challenge? Come build the future with us and apply directly to your dream job!

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our senior leadership team asExternal Affairs and Marketing Director. This pivotal role is responsible for shaping and delivering our external engagement strategy, encompassing public affairs, stakeholder relations, brand, marketing, communications, and media. The successful candidate will play a key role in protecting and enhancing our reputation, driving commercial growth, and aligning external messaging with business objectives.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement an integrated external affairs and marketing strategy aligned with company vision and business goals.
• Provide strategic counsel to the executive team on political, reputational, and stakeholder matters.
• Lead crisis communications, media response and reputation risk management.

Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective relationships with government bodies, regulators, trade bodies, and other key external stakeholders.
• Monitor policy and political trends, identifying business risks and opportunities.
• Represent the company in industry consultations and public forums to advocate on key issues.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee global marketing, brand, digital, and internal/external communications activities.
• Drive campaigns to strengthen brand, increase market share and support customer acquisition and retention.
• Ensure consistent messaging and tone of voice across all channels and platforms.
• Manage the global marketing budget and forecasting.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across marketing, communications and external affairs.
• Set clear objectives and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work across all departments to align messaging and deliver integrated strategies.
• Support President & Managing Director visibility, speechwriting and thought leadership positioning.

Governance & Compliance

• Role model company values and culture at all times.
• Ensure internal controls and regulatory compliance are met across all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure policies and processes are established and adhered to ensure goals and objectives for all regulatory and legal requirements are met including organisational quality, environmental, health & safety programs.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, politics, business, or a related field
• Senior-level experience in public affairs, marketing, or communications.
• Strong understanding of government and political processes at local, national, and international levels.
• Proven success in leading marketing campaigns and building strong corporate brands.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and leadership capabilities.
• Skilled in managing crises and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Industry experience in transport, manufacturing, or infrastructure.
• Familiar with digital transformation and customer engagement strategies.
• Confident in media relations and acting as a company spokesperson when required.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM:

Generous salary package – we reward our people at the level they deserve.

A 37-hour working week.

Ongoing employee development through a variety of in-house training initiatives along with tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions.

Annual leave entitlement which increases with tenure.

Pension scheme to help you save for the future.

Access to our Employee Assistance Programme which offers practical, impartial support on issues impacting your life.

Cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership as your health and wellbeing is important to us.

OUR WHY:

We move people. The world's most precious cargo.

We are driven by our purpose: we move people. Our vision is to lead the evolution of sustainable on-road mass transportation and mobility and our mission is to design, deliver, and support market-leading bus and motor coach solutions that are safe, accessible, efficient, and reliable.

NEXT STEPS:

If this sounds like you, and you’re interested in coming ‘aboard’, then we would love to hear from you. Please complete our online application form and attach your CV!

We care deeply about being inclusive and we encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

If you are an internal applicant, you have a responsibility to inform your current line/department manager and local human resources representative before applying for the role.

Due to the volume of vacancies and applications, we would prefer that you submit your application online. If however, you require an alternative method of applying, please give us call on [phone] or send an email to [e-mail]

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