We aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven individual who is passionate about making a difference. This role is crucial to support our public service reputation across Hertfordshire and North London. You'll be on the frontline of championing great customer service to ensure that people find us easy to do business with and that we get it right first time more often.
Our officers protect our reputation and ensure we give clear, consistent messages around sensitive and emotive issues. They also help teams to engage with customers, communities and partners.
Your responsibilities will include:
• Commissioning and co-ordinating response to executive correspondence that needs Area input contribution or response, ensuring we are building the trust and confidence of Government and MPs. This can be correspondence sent to our Chair, Chief Executive and Area Leadership Team, or even Defra Ministers.
• Contributing to and co-ordinating briefings for our Area Director and Area Leadership Team where they are due to meet MPs, Local Authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinating the area's response to Parliamentary Questions and Briefings.
• Supporting our Area Director and Leadership Team to deliver effective engagement with political stakeholders and external organisations.
• Rolling out skills development in writing and engagement to Hertfordshire and North London Area.
• Supporting communications and engagement during incidents.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role. This may attract an additional payment.
The team
The Customers and Engagement team is a busy team that works with others to deliver excellent customer service to the Hertfordshire and North London area. The team provides support and guidance to our area teams. We manage a diverse range of requests from active and informed customers, including MPs. We have an important role in managing relationships that are essential to our reputation and business delivery.
Experience/skills required
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills are a must as well as the ability to work effectively on your own initiative.
- Good political judgement and ideally experience of managing reputational risks.
- Attention to detail and capable of presenting data and information in a clear, comprehensible style and format.
- Experience in a customer-facing or engagement focused role, with an emphasis on building relationships with stakeholders and maintaining the positive reputation of an office or service.
- The ability to work closely with senior managers and build and maintain a broad network of contacts across the business, building rapport and relationships.
- A flexible approach and ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines.
- The ability to work well under pressure, knowing when to refer to colleagues for guidance and support.
- Excellent influencing skills.