Summary: Are you keen to be at the leading edge of a new sustainability focused technology project? Are you interested in getting in at the ground level and creating the plan? Do you have sound experience as a communications officer? If so, don’t miss this rare opportunity to join our communications team… We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. As an enthusiastic, creative and adaptable Communications Officer, you’ll join our award winning Communications team to deliver a Smart Metering programme to help reduce water consumption. You will be responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications, such as communicating the roll out of the meter upgrade programme to customers, stakeholders and the media. Over the next 5 years, South East Water has committed to reducing water use across its supply area by implementing smart meters that will help customers take control of their water usage. As a Smart Metering Comms Officer, you will take up this vital role to create the strategy and communications plan that will help deliver this programme successfully. If you are keen to make an impact and support our environmental mission, this role would suit you. You are comfortable liaising with different stakeholders and understanding the needs of our customers. Your background in PR, Communications or a similar discipline will allow you to take complex information and turn it into suitable communication material for a wide range of audiences. Ideally, you have some experience as a Comms Officer in a water or utilities company, but communications experience in any industry is crucial. Perhaps you’re a public relations or communications professional wanting to dive into an exciting project; or someone with a journalistic background looking to take your career in a new direction. Either way, you know how to engage with people across the social and political spectrum and it’s that ability to build trusted relationships that will enable you to make a difference here. This is an exciting time to join our team as we’re redefining our communications strategy. So, you can expect plenty of room to share new ideas and gain recognition for your talents for writing, media relations, digital communications and stakeholder engagement. Main responsibilities: Developing and implementing a customer communications campaign that supports the seamless delivery of the Meter upgrade programme. Developing a deep understanding of the communities we serve, identifying key stakeholders affected by our smart meter roll out to develop communications campaigns that reach a broad range of audiences through targeted messaging. Being adept at pivoting between multiple projects, sometimes with competing needs, to produce appropriate and high-quality marketing and communications outputs to deadline. Drafting accurate customer and stakeholder communications materials required for specific local or regional implementations, including, but not limited to; communications plans and evaluations, briefing notes, statements, press releases, presentations, exhibition materials, articles, advertising, website copy, FAQs and social media content such as videos Turning complex information into appropriate and easy to understand materials for public consumption Trying new ideas and communications methods as they arise and showing a keenness to learn and develop skills. Identifying potential risks to company reputation and have confidence in raising these with appropriate managers Identifying opportunities for positive media coverage, crafting press releases, arranging media events, managing interviews and briefing spokespeople Organising, managing and attending a range of in-person and virtual community and stakeholder events which open our audiences’ eyes to water Collaborating with Meter Upgrade Programme Manager to produce high quality communications for all customers who will benefit from the new meter programme. What you'll need: Experience / Skills / Qualifications At least three years’ experience in either a field related to journalism (newspaper/TV/radio) or public relations/communications, either agency or in-house. Degree-level qualification in a communication or PR related discipline or relevant experience. Previous comms experience in a water company is desirable but not required. Experience and knowledge of stakeholder engagement, the press, filming, video editing and social media, together with the ability to deal confidently with a range of audiences Competency in using Microsoft packages as well as various communications platforms Full driving licence We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water. Benefits package: Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution. 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service. Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave. Paid volunteering days. Cycle to work scheme. Health cash plan. Life assurance. Wellbeing related benefits. What can you expect from your recruitment? To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency. Compensation package: £32,000 - £36,000 depending on experience