External Communications Manager: Engineering, Technology & Safety

Rolls--royce; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Savings plan (Pension)

Group Life Assurance

Shares scheme

Income protection

Job summary

Rolls-Royce is seeking an External Communications Manager for the Engineering, Technology & Safety function. Hybrid role based in Derby or Bristol with three days on site.

You will shape external narratives, deliver media strategies, and translate technical topics into engaging stories for external audiences. Experience in engineering, technology or safety communications is essential, along with strong writing, news sense, and ability to influence senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate complex engineering topics into clear external stories.
• Strong news judgment and ability to identify relevant industry narratives.
• Experience advising senior leaders on external positioning.
• Proven track record in developing proactive external communications programmes.

Responsibilities

• Develop external communications strategy for ET&S to showcase engineering and technology leadership.
• Plan and execute media strategies, features, and thought leadership for external audiences.
• Create proactive content pipelines on engineering breakthroughs, safety, and partnerships.
• Advise senior leaders and technologists to craft credible, engaging narratives.

Skills

Excellent writing

Storytelling

Media relations

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Editorial judgement

Job description

Job DescriptionExternal Communications Manager: Engineering, Technology & SafetyDerby or Bristol – Hybrid (3 days per week on site)Full timeWhy join Rolls-Royce?At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.An exciting opportunity has arisen for an External Communications Manager to shape and deliver external communications for the Engineering, Technology & Safety (ET&S) function, telling the story of our engineering expertise, technology and innovation to strengthen our reputation and drive our growth potential.Engineering, Technology & Safety (ET&S) is the team at the heart of Rolls-Royce, with the capabilities to drive engineering and manufacturing excellence, enabling fast and efficient development and deployment of safe, innovative and mature products.We deliver cutting-edge technology and world-class engineering and manufacturing solutions that enhance efficiency, performance, sustainability and safety, keeping Rolls-Royce competitive, future-ready and a trusted partner for all our customers across Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems and Nuclear.You will develop and embed a compelling external narrative for ET&S, aligned with the company communications strategy and corporate narrative, strengthening our reputation for distinctive engineering expertise, technology, innovation capability and leadership among key external audiences.Key AccountabilitiesShape the external communications strategy for ET&S, including the development of a nascent technology narrative to strengthen our reputation for distinctive engineering expertise, technology and innovation capability and leadership among key external audiencesDevelop media strategies, announcements, features, executive content and thought-leadership opportunities in support of ET&S and Group Communications strategiesBuild a proactive content pipeline covering engineering breakthroughs, innovation, safety, people, partnerships, capability and commercially focused outcomesBe a trusted advisor to senior leaders and subject-matter expertsTranslate complex engineering and technical subjects into clear, accessible and engaging stories for external audiencesProtect and strengthen reputation through insight and issues management in conjunction with the Group Communications teamUse insight and evaluation to refine the narrative, content priorities, channel and media strategy and track communications impact with target audiencesKey Experiences and QualificationsProven experience developing narratives and building proactive external communications programmes from an early stage, including best practice across digital channelsOutstanding writing and editorial skills, with proven ability to communicate complex technical subjects clearly and crediblyStrong news judgement, with the ability to identify stories with relevance beyond the organisationExperience advising senior executives and technical experts on external positioningPassion for and knowledge of engineering, technology, innovation and/or safety communicationsStrong project management skills, with the ability to build networks and influence across a complex, highly matrixed organisationStrong collaborative approach, with the ability to bring new thinking and challenge the status quoExperience developing and executing media strategies, announcements, executive content and thought-leadership opportunitiesExperience building relationships with technology, engineering, innovation and/or corporate mediaExperience supporting issues and reputation management involving complex or sensitive subject matterExperience using insight, measurement and evaluation to assess reputation outcomes and refine communications activityExperience working across multiple communications disciplines to deliver integrated external communications campaignsEstablish effective approval and governance processes for complex or sensitive technical contentPlan and manage activity within an allocated budgetRegional BenefitsGenerous Annual LeaveRetirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings TrustGroup Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injuryYour Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive. As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.Job CategoryCorporate AffairsPosting Date23 Oct 2026; 00:10Posting End Date05 Nov 2026