External Communications Manager

**External Communications Manager

**Salary**: Circa £37,000 - £41,000 per annum
Up to 10% bonus
14 Month FTC
Location: Thorpe Park, Leeds (Hybrid Working)**

**Why Work at NGN?**

At Northern Gas Networks, we are a community. We provide a supportive and fun working environment in our spacious offices with onsite parking provided. We embrace creativity and innovation as well as offering a range of learning and development opportunitiesto progress your career.

Since we started operating in 2005, We have led the way as one of the most cost-efficient of the UK’s eight gas distribution networks, reliably delivering gas to over 2.7 million homes and businesses.

Our ‘dream’ is to become the UK’s most loved, admired, and respected company, and we aim to do this through an empowered team that is ‘mind-blowingly great’

**Equality, Diversity and Inclusion**:
We value equality, diversity and inclusion at NGN and this is embedded in everything that we do. We will be delighted to hear from a diverse range of applicants, so we can continue to grow our mind-blowingly great team of people.

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant, helping ex-services personnel back into employment, as well as being members of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) and we are committed to delivering our ‘Opportunity Action Plan’ having signed theSocial Mobility Pledge campaign, whereby we will establish our business as a ‘force for good’ in the communities that we serve.

If you require adjustments made to the standard interview process (e.g. a working interview or a different interview format) then please contact the Recruitment Team:
**Role Purpose**:
An exciting opportunity has arisen to help build the reputation and influence of Northern Gas Networks (NGN) both nationally and throughout the region.Reporting to the Communications Lead, you will play an important role in making sure the organisationcommunicates effectively with all external audiences - customers, stakeholders, and media.

**Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:**
- Understand the organisation's brand and communications strategy, approach and objectives and ensure that it is reflected in all planning and delivery
- Lead on the development and implementation of effective media handling and integrated external communications plans and campaigns to raise brand awareness and recognition around strategic priority areas
- Day-to-day management of NGN’s proactive and reactive Press Office including building strong relationships with national, regional and local media to raise positive profile of NGN
- Manage external communications channels including social media, website, PR and paid advertising
- Carry out news tracking and social media / online listening to identify and mitigate / manage reputational risks
- Work with Stakeholder and Customer teams to ensure effective and timely communications to maximise engagement opportunities and outcomes
- Support Communications Lead and implement external communications response during emergency / incident situations to minimise reputational impact
- Working with in house design team and external design agencies on the production of new assets and literature
- Support with the planning and delivery of strategic events and meetings
- Copywriting including press releases, articles and case studies
- Tracking and reporting the impact and value of comms activity and benchmarking where possible

**Expertise, knowledge, and experience required**:

- Track record of effective media relations work (both proactive and reactive)
- Track record of developing and implementing multi-channel communications plans
- Crisis management experience and understanding of risks
- Ability to quickly build personal credibility and a rapport with colleagues, journalists and stakeholders at all levels
- Excellent writing and editorial skills
- The ability to condense new and complex information into a clear and readable form; and to think strategically.
- The personal skills to work effectively both with NGNs leadership team, with colleagues and with stakeholders in Government and other organisations.
- Political intelligence and keen interest and sufficient knowledge of energy issues.

**Essential Criteria**:

- Minimum five years’ experience in a communication related role
- Excellent IT skills including MS Word, Outlook, Excel
- Experience of dealing with sensitive issues and reputation management
- Full driving license

**Desirable**:

- Degree educated (journalism, communications, business, or marketing related degree is preferable)

**What we Offer You:**
- Salary From: £37,000 - £41,000 per annum
- Up to 10% Bonus
- Free onsite parking
- 40 hours per week
- 25 days annual leave (plus recognised bank holidays and 2 half days over the Christmas period)
- SSP for first 7 calendar days then occupational sick pay
- A generous stakeholder 5/10 pension scheme
- Flexible benefits and salary sacrifice options... from discounts on a variety of UK attractions, Gym membership, restaurant discounts, experience days...and exclusive NGN discounts and much more
- An array of fantastic family
- friendly policies such as 6 weeks’ paternity leave (for eligible employees) and 6 months’ full pay for employees on maternity leave (for eligible employees), as well as shared parental leave and many more.

Our values are at the heart of what we do. In addition to your key responsibilities, you will incorporate these into the daily life of your role.

We are

Trailblazing
Empowered
Happy
Heartfelt
Community Focused