Job Summary
Corporate Affairs department in CDG UK&I supports the Bus & Coach business in both its external and internal engagement. This team plays a critical role in shaping our brand, protecting our reputation and ensuring that our narrative is effectively communicated to our stakeholders. The Head of Corporate Affairs will act as a strategic partner to the Executive team and is entrusted to develop and implement communication strategies, manage media and government relations, oversee community investment and advise the business on reputation management. This important role will also drive employee engagement and is central to embedding our values into our ways of working.
Main Responsibilities
* Develop and implement an integrated communication strategy (internal, external, digital and social) for all our businesses and functions, aligned with business goals, brand purpose and reputation priorities
* Ensure branding and reputation are consistently and effectively represented across all communications channels
* Horizon scan for emerging issues, regulatory and policy changes, media trends that may impact reputation or brand, and proactively advise on mitigation or opportunity
* Lead public affairs and stakeholder engagement efforts to build and maintain strategic relationships – this includes but not limited to external stakeholders such as the media, TfL, TfGM, regulatory bodies, Transport associations, community groups)
* Support crisis and issue responses as part of the wider crisis management team and working with the Group Corporate Affairs team as appropriate
* Support Executive team with internal and external speaking engagements, media interview, major announcements, or major incidence such as industrial actions ensuring they are well prepared, aligned to narrative, and confident in media interactions
* Plan and implement community investment programmes to showcase organisational commitment to corporate social responsibility and community mindedness
* Track and report on communications impact using data and insights to continuously optimise
* Collaborate with the Group Corporate Affairs team, to align messaging and support CDG’s strategic objectives
* Lead and develop a strong corporate affairs team, set objectives, manage performance, manage annual budget, coach team members as appropriate.
Essential Criteria
* Degree level education in a relevant discipline
* Over 15 to 20 years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs or corporate affairs within a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation/environment, of which at least 5 must have been at a senior level
* Proven track record of developing and delivering communication strategics that support the business, protect reputation and drive stakeholder engagement
* Deep experience of crisis and issues management, comfortable advising Executives, handling media under pressure
* Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence diverse audiences
Competencies & Skills
* Strategic thinking – able to anticipate future trends, challenges and opportunities’ develops long-term solutions.
* Leadership – inspires and guides diverse teams through complex change
* Commercial acumen – understands financial drivers, risk, and value creation in commercial and asset-based decisions.
* Influencing and communication – communicates clearly at all levels; influences with credibility and purpose, skilled communicator with excellent presentation and writing capabilities
Hours of work
38 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Salary
Competitive