External Communications Lead - Fixed term contract

JERA Nex bp; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Remote work from home

Career development

Job summary

JERA Nex bp is seeking an experienced External Communications Lead/Senior Manager for a 12-month period to shape how the company engages externally during a pivotal phase for offshore wind. You will lead communications across corporate, project and industry developments, advising senior leaders and guiding agencies to protect and elevate the company’s reputation.

You will oversee media relations, executive profiling, digital channels and events, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent and

Qualifications

• 6-8 years’ experience in external communications, corporate affairs or media relations.
• Strong track record of developing and delivering communications strategies that support business priorities and protect corporate reputation.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
• Experience advising senior leaders and managing sensitive or high-profile communications.
• Strong media relations, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to set priorities, manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive external communications programme aligned with business priorities and protect reputation.
• Advise senior leaders on opportunities, risks and sensitive issues.
• Lead corporate media relations and manage press enquiries and statements.
• Coordinate communications for projects and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop executive profiling, speeches and social media content.
• Govern brand voice across digital channels and events.
• Monitor external environment for reputational risks and opportunities.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder management

Strategic storytelling

Team leadership

Job description

Join us as we work to unlock the value of offshore wind!

JERA Nex bp is a new joint venture between JERA, Japan’s largest power generation company, and bp, one of the world’s leading energy companies. Established to unlock the potential of offshore wind across the globe, our talented team, exciting pipeline and solid capital commitment give us the potential to become one of the world’s most successful offshore wind companies.

We entered the market with a portfolio of operational and development assets, alongside the resources, capabilities and resilience to deliver offshore wind energy at scale.

Why this role matters

We’re looking for an experienced External Communications Lead/Senior Manager for a period of 12 months to shape and deliver how JERA Nex bp shows up externally during an important period for our business and the offshore wind industry.

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for protecting and building JERA Nex bp’s reputation, strengthening our external profile and ensuring that our communications support the company’s strategic and commercial priorities. You will help set external communications priorities, provide trusted counsel to senior leaders and lead communications around corporate, project and industry developments.

Working across corporate communications, media relations, project communications, executive profiling, digital channels and events, working as part of a lean team, you will ensure that JERA Nex bp communicates with a clear, consistent and credible voice. You will drive some agency and supplier relationships, balancing strategic direction with high-quality delivery.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in the external positioning of a global offshore wind company at a formative stage in its development.

In this role you will

Reporting to the Head of Communications, Drive JERA Nex bp’s external communications programme, ensuring activity supports business priorities, strengthens the company’s profile and protects its reputation. Work closely with the Internal Communications Lead and Public Affairs team to align messaging and deliver joined-up communications around key business priorities, announcements and emerging issues.

External Communications & Media Relations

• Identify proactive opportunities to strengthen JERA Nex bp’s profile and positioning.

• Lead announcements, media enquiries and reactive communications, including press releases, statements and Q&A.

• Advise senior leaders on external communications opportunities, risks and sensitive issues.

• Ensure external messaging is clear, consistent and aligned with the company’s strategy and priorities.

• Lead corporate media relations, building strong relationships with key journalists and industry commentators.

Corporate Narrative & Reputation

• Shape and maintain JERA Nex bp’s corporate narrative, messaging and supporting proof points.

• Lead communications planning for high-profile, complex or sensitive business developments.

• Monitor the external environment and identify emerging reputational risks and opportunities.

• Support issues preparedness and crisis communications, working closely with senior leaders and relevant business teams.

Project Communications

• Lead external communications for projects, including Oriel and Morven.

• Develop project narratives and communications plans that support key milestones and stakeholder engagement.

• Advise project leaders on media, messaging and reputation management.

• Coordinate communications with joint venture partners and external stakeholders.

Executive Profiling & Events

• Develop profiling plans for senior leaders, aligned with business and communications priorities.

• Identify and manage speaking, media and thought leadership opportunities.

• Prepare speeches, briefing packs, talking points and executive social media content.

• Oversee JERA Nex bp’s participation in priority industry events, conferences and awards.

Digital, Social & Brand

• Own the strategy and governance of JERA Nex bp’s corporate website and LinkedIn channel.

• Lead content planning across external digital channels.

• Act as a guardian of the JERA Nex bp brand and external tone of voice.

• Ensure all public-facing content is accurate, engaging and consistent.

Planning, Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Lead external communications planning, ensuring activity is aligned across the business.

• Set clear objectives and measures of success for campaigns and priority activity.

• Track media, digital and engagement performance and report on communications impact.

• Use insight and feedback to improve content, channels and ways of working.

To be successful in the role you will bring

• 6-8 years’ experience in external communications, corporate affairs or media relations, ideally in an in-house environment, although agency experience will also be considered.

• A strong track record of developing and delivering communications strategies that support business priorities and protect corporate reputation.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate complex or technical issues clearly and confidently.

• Experience advising senior leaders and managing sensitive or high-profile communications.

• Strong media relations, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• The ability to set priorities, manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs in a fast-moving environment.

• A hands-on, proactive approach, with the ability to work independently, use sound judgement and take ownership of delivery.

• Experience managing team members, agencies and external suppliers.

• Experience in energy, infrastructure or another complex or regulated sector is desirable, but not essential.

What you can expect from us:

Working at JERA Nex bp means being part of a global leader in offshore wind, where innovation, collaboration, and sustainability drive everything we do. You’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative and inclusive work culture, with space for team-building and social activities

• Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home, with regular in‑person connection

• Opportunities for career growth and professional development in a fast-growing international company.

As we build our company, we are driven by:

Care for each other and our world – we leave egos at the door, are inclusive, collaborative and open to new ideas

A spirit of ingenuity - we are pioneers and innovators making the impossible possible

A commitment to unlocking value from offshore wind - we aim to make offshore wind sustainable, affordable and accessible to the countries & communities we serve.

About JERA Nex bp

JERA Nex bp is a purpose-built offshore wind company committed to unlocking the power of offshore wind by developing high-quality, competitive projects.

A 50:50 joint venture between JERA Co. and bp, JERA Nex bp is an end-to-end developer, owner and operator with more than fifteen years of experience in operating offshore wind projects.

Headquartered in London, with offices across Europe, Asia, and Australia, JERA Nex bp has a portfolio of operational and development projects across nine countries, and draws on a rich heritage of pioneering offshore wind in Asia Pacific and the North Sea.