Senior External Communications Specialist

South East Water UK; Snodland; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension

Holiday entitlement

Flexible annual leave

Volunteer days

Cycle to work

Health plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking an External Communications Officer to help shape how the world sees the organisation. You will support the External Communications Manager, stay proactive, and craft engaging press releases and other materials to highlight our commitment to customers.

In this role you will manage multiple projects, draft communications for diverse audiences, and help identify media opportunities. A driving licence and PR/communications experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications or PR or equivalent experience.
• Full valid UK driving licence.
• 3+ years in journalism or public relations.
• Strong media relations, crisis comms and briefing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Support External Communications Manager in delivering the Turning the Tide strategy to rebuild SEW's reputation with customers and stakeholders.
• Pivot between multiple projects to produce high quality outputs to deadlines.
• Draft customer, media and stakeholder communications materials (plans, briefings, statements, press releases, presentations, web copy, FAQs, social content).
• Turn complex information into clear, accessible materials for public consumption.
• Be proactive in learning, developing, and trying new communications ideas and methods.
• Identify risks to reputation and raise them to managers.
• Identify opportunities for positive media coverage and arrange media events.
• Organise and attend in-person and virtual community and stakeholder events.
• Support out-of-hours crisis communications on a rotating basis.
• Coordinate with designers, photographers, videographers and contractors to achieve outputs.

Skills

Media relations

Press office management

Relationship building

Media monitoring

Media interview management

Statement and briefing development

Media training

Presentation/briefing skills

Strategic communications planning

Copywriting

Proofreading

Creative input & ideation

Quality control

Campaign execution

Crisis communications

Education

Degree in communications or PR

Job description

South East Water is seeking an External Communications Officer to help shape how the world sees the organisation. You will support the External Communications Manager, stay proactive, and craft engaging press releases and other materials to highlight our commitment to customers.

In this role you will manage multiple projects, draft communications for diverse audiences, and help identify media opportunities. A driving licence and PR/communications experience are essential.