Senior External Affairs Manager
British Geological Survey
Grade: UKRI Pay Band E
Salary: £45,272 per annum
Contract Type: 12-month fixed term appointment (Maternity cover)
Full-time: 37 hours a week (some flexible working options may be available, including a small amount of remote working, keeping in line with the BGS hybrid working policy)
Location: Keyworth or Edinburgh
Closing date: 24 March 2025
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Senior External Affairs Manager to lead our external affairs and public engagement. You will play a pivotal role in enhancing our public profile, shaping our communications and building strong relationships with stakeholders across government, industry and the public.
Working closely with the Director of Communications and External Affairs and the Director of Policy, you will develop and deliver strategies to ensure BGS’s strategic priorities are effectively communicated, enable the delivery of impact from BGS science, support on reputation management and develop a culture of public and policy engagement throughout BGS.
This role will include management responsibilities within the Communications and Engagement team, including line management and strategic support for the Public Engagement team.
Key duties and responsibilities
* Provide professional leadership in external affairs and across the organisation
* Support the Director of Communications and External Affairs in developing and delivering the strategies, structures and processes to ensure effective stakeholder intelligence sharing within BGS and engagement strategies for high-profile and controversial issues
* Build and foster strategic relationships with relevant external stakeholders and partners across NERC, UKRI and government
* Oversee the management, planning, resource sharing and expertise from across the organisation to deliver stakeholder insight and engagement objectives
* Oversee and coordinate a programme of activities for parliamentary and devolved nation engagement
* Support Policy Director in creation of briefing notes and identify opportunities for BGS to engage with policy makers and national discussion
* Support the BGS Press Office through participation in the on-call out-of-hours press rota (on-call allowance applies).
About you
This role is suited to a strategic thinker looking to take the next step in their career in public engagement, communications or external affairs. Your background should include working in senior roles where you have successfully nurtured relationships with key external stakeholders. You should be skilled in translating complex scientific information into clear and compelling messaging, and you should thrive in an environment where your expertise can help shape public perceptions and influence decision-makers.
With an interest in geoscience and an understanding of the vital role it plays in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, the successful candidate should be skilled in managing high-profile projects and navigating complex political or public situations. You should be confident in influencing communications at all levels across BGS, always working to enhance BGS’s reputation and impact.
Essential
* Demonstrable experience of delivering initiatives with positive impacts at a national scale. (S&I)
* Understanding of best practice and theory in stakeholder engagement and insight. (I)
* Demonstrable experience of delivering stakeholder engagement activities, e.g. large-scale events programmes, insight projects. (S&I)
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills. (S&I)
* Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information appropriate to the audience. (S&I)
* Strategic thinker with the ability to influence, persuade and negotiate. (S&I)
* Commitment to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)
Desirable
* Demonstrable credibility with relevant communities (e.g. based on experience from government, industry, education or the third sector). (S&I)
* Graduate or post-graduate qualification in Public Affairs or related discipline (S)
* Interest or qualification in geoscience or related discipline (S)
How to apply
Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process. A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 24 March 2025. Interviews are expected to be held on either 4 April or 7 April 2025.
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