Job Introduction The Engagement Officer role is based in the delivery area Consents & Engagement team and reports into an Engagement Manager. The Engagement Officer supports the project’s engagement and communications strategy, assisting in developing and executing plans for engaging stakeholders including residents, council officers, schools, community groups and key engagement forums to deliver the works.
The area Consents & Engagement team works collaboratively with the other area teams and the SCS-wide Consents & Engagement function, which provides support to the area teams through project-wide processes, procedures and information sharing.
The Consents & Engagement area team’s purpose is to:
be a good neighbour in the community by helping the delivery team understand and plan for the community impacts of work, supporting reputation management of the project, the organisation and the client
ensure the client, stakeholder groups and the local community have advance notice of SCS works and engagement in accordance with the HS2 Act and best practice
support the delivery team to plan and deliver the works on time, with client, stakeholder and community awareness and in accordance with approved consents and project commitments.
The post will require an organised and resilient individual with well-developed communication skills who is comfortable dealing with conflict and complex content. Engagement includes face-to-face and video meetings, workshops, presentations, door-knocking, letterbox drops, written communications, events and phone calls.
Flexible working: We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need. This might be part-time, remote working, or compressed hours for example. Anyone who applies for a role can ask about flexibility at interview. In return, we will explore what is possible for the role.
Main Responsibilities
Adding value to the delivery of the project and supporting the consenting process by working closely with the engagement managers to build and manage external and internal relationships through engagement plans, schedules, trackers and reports
contributing to the preparation and facilitation of stakeholder workshops, briefings, presentations and attending stakeholder forums
identifying and escalating potential risks, issues and sensitive situations to the engagement management team
providing input to, and complying with, third party agreements and licences
support the delivery team’s compliance with, and coordinating evidence for, project commitments known as Undertakings and Assurances
managing enquiries, complaints, compliments and issues including drafting and coordinating approved responses, acting as a ‘super-user’ of the project database, reporting and maintaining up-to-date key messages and standard responses
providing both office-based and on-the-ground support where required
engaging proactively with the delivery team to understand the works, programme and impacts with a view to coordinating engagement and minimising effects on stakeholders
assist in the delivery of engagement events both in person and virtually including drafting approved materials, undertaking event management and tracking engagement
work with colleagues in Skills, Education & Employment team to identify opportunities for the community
support HS2 to promote a positive image of the project and raise public awareness of the benefits of the project
assist with the delivery of the project’s Community Investment programme, working with colleagues to realise investment in legacy projects
proactively engage in wider HS2 activities, supporting collaborative opportunities and sharing best practice and lessons learned
administrative support as required and acting as deputy for engagement manager
The Ideal Candidate
Required Qualifications & Skills
Experience of the construction/ infrastructure industry
Excellent interpersonal skills
Credible communicator and relationship manager
Proven ability in effectively dealing with conflict
Proven ability to work under pressure and with meticulous attention to detail
Excellent written skills and ability to pull critical information from technical data
Desirable Qualifications & Skills
Experienced public speaker
Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly learn, the statutory process and planning requirements of the HS2 Act
Tertiary qualification in communications
Database management and reporting experience
Advanced Excel skills
Interest in graphic design