Public Policy Advisor - Associate

Exxon Mobil; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Exxon Mobil in the United Kingdom is seeking a senior communications professional to lead reputation, community relations, and external communications for the site and surrounding communities. You will shape crisis communications, manage media engagement, and deliver clear storytelling across digital and traditional channels, while advising leadership on risks and opportunities.

The role requires strong writing, stakeholder management, judgment under pressure, and the ability to build trusted

Qualifications

• Proven experience in reputation management and crisis communications.
• Strong writing and storytelling across formats.
• Ability to build relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment under pressure and media landscape understanding.

Responsibilities

• Play a critical role in shaping, protecting, and enhancing company reputation locally.
• Lead development of Socioeconomic Management initiatives and external communications.
• Engage with communities, groups, influencers to build trust and monitor perceptions.
• Oversee community grievance management and coordinate with internal teams.
• Deliver communications and media relating to ExxonMobil UK sites.
• Plan and execute digital and physical content including articles and posts.
• Support reactive crisis communications with rapid briefings and updates.
• Advise leadership on Public & Government Affairs risks and opportunities.
• Ensure communications are accurate, aligned with brand and priorities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify opportunities for storytelling.

Skills

Reputation management

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder management

Writing & storytelling

Press liaison

Job description

Job Group Capability

Public & Government Affairs

Job Group

Government Affairs & Public Policy

What You Will Do

• Play a critical role in shaping, protecting, and enhancing company reputation primarily in the local community. Lead the development of Socioeconomic Management initiatives, and strategic external communications for the company, local community around the site, central in delivering incident response communications, and managing local and some national media engagement.
• Support strategy development and implementation of Socioeconomic Management programs, investments and strategic initiatives in alignment with business objectives, the corporate operating model and community priorities.
• Proactively engage with communities, local groups and influencers to build mutual trust and understanding, and to monitor reactions, needs and perceptions.
• Oversee the community grievance management process; capture issues and grievances and working with internal teams to address them appropriately.
• Lead delivery of communications and media relating to ExxonMobil Fawley and ExxonMobil across the UK.
• Plan, capture, and execute clear and compelling digital and physical content including articles, web content, and social media posts.
• Support reactive crisis communications through planning and delivery, including rapid communication briefings and stakeholder updates.
• Provide expert, trusted advice to leadership on general Public & Government Affairs risks, opportunities, and approaches.
• Ensure all communications are accurate, consistent, and aligned with brand guidelines and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to gather information and identify opportunities for proactive storytelling.
• Anticipate and manage sensitive issues, ensuring timely and effective responses.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local journalists, editors, and media outlets; act as a primary point of contact for local and national media enquiries.
• Ensure regular monitoring of activities, capturing critical data and commitments, coordination and alignment with objectives and best practices.

About You

• Proven experience in reputation management, relationship management, community relations, media relations/communications and crisis communications.
• Ability to develop trusted relationships with both senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding writing, editing and storytelling skills across multiple formats, including demonstrable experience managing social media platforms.
• Strong judgement and ability to operate under pressure.
• Understanding of the media landscape and digital communication trends.

Good To Have Skills

• Collaborative and constructive team player.
• Self-starter with proactive, positive mindset.
• Confident communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong business line partnership and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Adaptable and agile, responding rapidly to changing priorities.

Functional Skills

Advocacy

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