Head of Corporate Affairs
- 550143
- Closing at: Aug 26 2024 at 23:55 BST
SSE has big ambitions to be a leading energy company in a low carbon world. Following our commitment to invest £20.5 billion in low carbon projects to 2027, we have significant growth plans and are well on our way to achieving our ambition to build a world that's more sustainable and inclusive for you, your family, the community you live in and for generations to come.
Join us on our journey to net zero and help us power change.
About the Role
Base Location: Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, Inverness, Reading, Havant, London or Dublin
Salary: Competitive* + car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract | Full Time | Flexible First options available
As Head of Corporate Affairs within Energy Customer Solutions (ECS), you'll step into a 12 month fixed term contract where you'll be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director of ECS, overseeing all external relations activity on behalf of SSE's customer-facing businesses across GB and Ireland. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, you'll also have a dotted line into the business MD, and will attend the ECS Executive Committee, acting as a strategic communications advisor. Working closely with colleagues in the broader Group Corporate Affairs team, you'll be responsible for protecting and enhancing the reputation and interests of the business through proactive media relations and stakeholder engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Corporate Affairs business partnering to ECS MD, attending Executive Committee meetings in order to advise on strategy and convert this into compelling external relations approaches.
- Establishing and developing relationships with key stakeholders across media, government and third sector organisations.
- Protecting and enhancing the reputation of both the Airtricity and Business Energy businesses, through reactive media handling and crisis management and proactive corporate communications and PR, working closely with Marketing and other corporate affairs teams.
- Effectively advocating to ensure that SSE's and customers' interests are protected and enhanced in the development and implementation of government policy in ROI, NI and GB.
- Leading a team of four external relations professionals, setting clear objectives and providing regular coaching and guidance.
What do I need?
We are looking for a proactive, strategically minded external relations leader with experience working closely with business leaders to develop an implement communications strategies, preferably within a large, complex and/or consumer-facing organisation.
To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:
- Experience and skill in business partnering, advising senior leaders and working across a matrix to ensure impact and alignment
- Strong ability to read the operating landscape, with the capacity to advise, influence and communicate internally and externally.
- Excellent personal effectiveness, with the ability to prioritise strategically, adapt to change and manage own workload and that of the wider team.
- A proactive, hands-on approach to delivery with the ability to deliver first-class communications based on in-depth knowledge of the media and political environments.
- A collaborative nature, with a successful track record of achieving results through persuasion and working cross-functionally and through others.
- PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE THIS ROLE IS ADVERTISED IN EUROS, LOCATION IS FLEXIBLE AND WE WILL CONSIDER CANDIDATES BASED AT ANY KEY SSE LOCATION ACROSS GB AND IRELAND. WE ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO WORKING HOURS AND LOCATIONS, BUT WOULD GENERALLY EXPECT 2-3 DAYS PER WEEK TO BE SPENT ENGAGING WITH COLLEAGUES IN PERSON.
About our Business
Our Corporate Affairs, Regulation & Strategy (CARS) function combines three quite separate but intrinsically linked disciplines, with a shared focus on advising, influencing and communicating SSE's strategy and interests with key stakeholders. This involves the interpretation of complex political and regulatory changes, skilled lobbying to inform the future energy ecosystem, and innovative communication techniques to ensure SSE's story is reached by a broad range of audiences including investors, competitors, governments, partners, suppliers, communities, and both current and prospective employees.
What's in it for you?
We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.
As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.
What happens now?
All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.
If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact / .
Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.
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