Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Costain Group PLC; Butterwick; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Stakeholder Engagement Lead to drive stakeholder management during mobilization and transition phases. You will develop the Stakeholder Management Plan, establish frameworks, and build trusted relationships with senior leaders and clients. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in major programmes, excellent communication skills, and a degree in Business Management or a related field. This role offers opportunities for impactful stakeholder engagement and social value contributions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in stakeholder management on major programmes or complex organisations.
• Proven track record communicating with senior leaders and strategic partners.
• Strong understanding of social value frameworks and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Stakeholder Management Plan.
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities during mobilisation.
• Build long-term trusted relationships with senior business leads.
• Provide strategic advice regarding stakeholder expectations.
• Track and report on stakeholder sentiment and communication outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication with senior leaders

Understanding of supply chain governance

Influencing and relationship-building

Organizational skills

Pressure management

Education

Relevant degree in Business Management or related field

Professional accreditation in stakeholder management

Job description

Overview

The Stakeholder Engagement Lead will be a key member of the Sellafield IDP Contract Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The role is responsible for producing, owning, and briefing the Stakeholder Management Plan, which forms a critical input to the overarching Contract Communication Plan. The central focus of the position is to set the business up for success during the mobilisation and transition phase, ensuring a clear, future‑facing strategy for stakeholder engagement as the programme moves into Business‑as‑Usual (BAU). The role will also support alignment with supply chain partners, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), contribute and support to social value commitments across the contract.

Responsibilities

• Develop, own, and maintain the Stakeholder Management Plan for the contract.
• Provide ongoing briefings and updates to the SLT and relevant governance boards.
• Ensure stakeholder planning is integrated into the wider Contract Communication Plan.
• Lead stakeholder engagement activities throughout mobilisation and transition phases. Take the leading role in the SRM process (both for the client process and our own internal process) ensuring consistent approach to supply chain stakeholder management.
• Establish frameworks, processes, and governance for long‑term stakeholder engagement into BAU.
• Map and prioritise internal and external stakeholders, identifying risks, dependencies, and opportunities.
• Build long‑term, trusted relationships with senior business leads, clients, executives, Lot 2 & 3 delivery Partners.
• Support stakeholder alignment with supply chain organisations to ensure coordinated delivery.
• Contribute to social value planning and ensure stakeholder engagement supports social value outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice and insight to SLT regarding stakeholder expectations and emerging issues.
• Track, measure, and report on stakeholder sentiment, engagement effectiveness, and communication outcomes.
• Oversee the creation of collateral, briefing materials, and engagement content for key stakeholder interactions.
• Support the development of business narratives and messaging during mobilisation and beyond.
• Champion a culture of proactive, transparent, and consistent communication across the contract organisation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in stakeholder management on major programmes, long‑term contracts, or complex organisations.
• Proven track record communicating with senior leaders, executives, clients and strategic partners.
• Experience working with supply chain partners and understanding supply chain governance and interdependencies.
• Strong understanding of social value frameworks and the role of stakeholder engagement in delivering social outcomes.
• Strong understanding of mobilisation and transition phases within major business or operational programmes.
• Ability to design and implement robust stakeholder frameworks, processes, and governance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high‑quality plans and briefing materials.
• Strong influencing and relationship‑building skills at senior levels.
• Experience working within a highly regulated, technical, or government‑linked environment (desirable).
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• Ability to work under pressure and operate with discretion and emotional intelligence.
• Relevant degree in Business Management, communications, public relations, project management or a related field.
• Professional accreditation in stakeholder management, communications, project management or similar (desirable).