External Communications Lead
Application Deadline: 6 April 2026
Department: Strategy & Corporate Affairs
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: London, England, United Kingdom; Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Reporting To: Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Compensation: £55,000 / year
Description
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5/week
Salary: circa £55,000 depending on experience
Location: London or Birmingham
WFH policy: Employees are required to attend the office 2 days/week
Flexible working: Variety of flexible work patterns subject to line manager discretion e.g. Compressed 9-day fortnight.
Reports to: Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Deadline Note: We reserve the right to close the advert before the advertised deadline if there are a high volume of applications.
Role Summary:
The External Communications Lead will play a key role in designing, delivering and evolving the company’s Communications and Stakeholder Engagement strategy through the development and delivery of integrated communications plans, compelling content and engaging campaigns, and the fostering of effective partnerships with key stakeholders including the media and partner organisations.
The External Communications Lead will work as part of our external communications team to deliver proactive and reactive media and government relations, working across the business to identify new opportunities to take forward, while managing any reputational risk.
The External Communications Lead will be able to transform the organisation’s strategy into actionable plans and projects that drive positive engagement with stakeholders, working closely with members of the Communications team and the wider business.
The External Communications Lead will proactively identify new engagement opportunities across government, working with other departments across the business to drive high levels of stakeholder satisfaction.
The postholder will join a small, high-performing External Communications team with the overall objectives of driving the strategic progress of communications and stakeholder engagement across the organisation, raising visibility of LCCC’s key role in the clean energy transition and building on its reputation as a trusted expert.
The role will also require working with liaison teams in DESNZ and LCCC’s delivery partner organisations, Ofgem, NESO and the settlement agent EMRS (a subsidiary of ELEXON), as well as other key stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Media Relations
* Engage and build relationships with trade media on collaborations to increase awareness of LCCC and our role in delivering low carbon schemes.
* Take a leading role for responding to media queries ensuring internal processes are followed and any reputational risks are identified and managed.
* Identify proactive media opportunities and write press releases, news articles and other media pieces.
* Provide written and in-person media briefings.
* Advise on media handling strategies.
* Maintain LCCC’s crisis communications plan, working with the business leads to prepare reactive media lines as required.
* Prepare LCCC spokespeople for press meetings and interviews.
Communications and PR
* Work with teams across the business to identify, develop and deliver compelling content for the website, social media, events, printed materials, award entries and media outlets.
* Create and deliver effective integrated communications plans which will enhance LCCC’s reputation as a trusted voice in the clean energy transition
* Help shape the strategic communications of the business, ensuring consistency and accuracy of messaging across all channels.
* Design and execute integrated campaigns to externally promote company messages.
* Prepare reports on the performance of communications activities.
Public affairs
* Develop and maintain the LCCC’s reputation as a source of expertise with public affairs stakeholders.
* Take a leading role for creating solid relationships with parliamentarians at Westminster, Holyrood and the Senedd, and those who influence them to raise the profile of the work that LCCC is delivering and the value we can offer as the UK works to deliver net zero.
* Be at the forefront of designing and implementing a focused and targeted public affairs strategy that is focused on informing public affairs stakeholders about LCCC’s role and perspective on low carbon energy - in a neutral way (we do not lobby for policy change).
* Take a leading role for designing an overarching public affairs narrative and messaging, developing relationships, and executing appropriate and effective tactics, horizon scanning and reporting, providing thoughtful recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team for public affairs activity.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
* Proven experience of creating and delivering strategic communications plans and campaigns.
* Demonstrable experience of delivering impactful communications to a wide range of external stakeholders for a medium to large organisation.
* Demonstrable experience of dealing with media enquiries and managing reputational risk.
* Demonstrable experience of engaging with parliamentarians, public bodies or those who influence them.
* Experience of planning and delivering multi-channel communications.
* Excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading skills.
* Able to tailor complex information into clear engaging content for different audiences and channels.
* Ability to think strategically, with the flexibility to thrive under changing demands and competing priorities.
* Ability to negotiate matters of confidentiality and potential sensitivity with tact and a clear understanding of the issues at stake.
* Confident in dealing with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
* Exceptional attention to detail.
* Good interpersonal skills and a team‑player.
* Ability and willingness to take on a wider range of tasks to support the team as necessary.
* Willingness to travel to external events as required.
* Experience of reporting on the performance of communications activities.
Desirable
* An understanding of the energy sector and the current challenges facing stakeholders.
* Experience of mentoring or coaching junior colleagues.
* Awareness of best practice in digital content delivery.
* Experience of conducting professional interviews both face‑to‑face and online.
Employee Benefits
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. Key benefits that may be available depending on the role include:
* Annual performance based bonus, up to 10%
* 25 days annual leave, plus eight bank holidays
* Up to 8% pension contribution
* Financial support and time off for study relevant to your role, plus a professional membership subscription
* Employee referral scheme (up to £1500), and colleague recognition scheme
* Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave and shared parental leave
* Free, confidential employee assistance, including financial management, family care, mental health, and on‑call GP service
* Three paid volunteering days a year
* Season ticket loan and cycle to work schemes
* Family savings on days out and English Heritage, gym discounts, cash back and discounts at selected retailers
* Employee resource groups
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