Team Lead Communications and Stakeholder Management (UK & Ireland)

Can be based anywhere in the UK or Ireland with regular visits to all other UK/Ireland based Locations 

full time, permanent

Functional area: Offshore Wind team reporting to Head of Stakeholders and Local Markets 
Remuneration: PC

Key role: To provide line management for the Offshore Wind Communications and Stakeholder Management Team and strategic direction for both project level engagement and broader communication regarding RWE’s portfolio in the UK & Ireland.

Overseeing the Communications and Stakeholder Management Team

• Provide line management to a team of communications and stakeholder professionals (currently 12 people, a mixture of FTE and contractors).
• On a day-to-day basis support the team including work allocation, providing strategic direction and support.
• Oversee the development and coaching of those FTE personnel in the team.
• Create a feedback environment, with opportunities to socialise learning and best practice across the team.
• Direct budget Management of circa £250k, and strategic direction of larger budgets held within the projects.

Strategic development of RWE’s offshore wind portfolio materials and messaging, including industry messages to influence government policy development:

• Establish and oversee RWE’s offshore wind portfolio wide communications strategy in the UK & Ireland, recommending and introducing new materials and approaches to tell the RWE offshore story, in a way that supports senior managers and departments including PPA, HR, Corporate Communications, Development and O&M.
• Identifying and developing vehicles to showcase the positive contribution RWE’s offshore portfolio make to the communities in which we operate. Highlighting RWE’s position as the largest developer in the region; designed to support future development projects and RWE’s stakeholder reputation.
• Considering the renewables agenda, wind energy and the planning systems in UK & Ireland, identify opportunities and risks in the short, medium and long term and create appropriate communication strategies to respond.
• Represent RWE’s offshore business in the development of communication strategies and policy discussions at national trade associations including RUK, IWEA and OWIC, to influence messaging and policy developments.
• Lead on the creation of RWE’s offshore wind messaging that aligns with our strategic and corporate values, whilst balancing this with any issues related to corporate or local risk.
• Working with internal stakeholders including regional Heads of Development, Corporate Communications, PPA and Community Investment Teams, determine appropriate strategies and programs for events and sponsorships. Managing the associated budgets.
• Oversee development and delivery of RWE’s participation in national and regional events, working with other RWE operating companies and teams where appropriate.
• Work with HR and the Skills Development Manager on the creation of new collateral to support skills and careers engagement, including brochures, webpages, and social media strategies.

Overseeing delivery of project support during development, construction, and operation:

• Guide the team of project Communication and Stakeholder professionals to provide specialist communication and stakeholder work during planning application, construction, and operation of our projects. Including newsletters, briefing notes, events, sponsorships and any new materials for project.
• Support the team as they develop and deliver local project specific or regional stakeholder engagement plans. This includes maintaining comprehensive records of all engagements to meet the requirements of the statutory DCO consultation process for nationally significant energy infrastructure projects.
• Work with the team and internal stakeholders to capture lessons learned and best practice, embedding these into our engagement process.
• Oversee development of key project messages, ensuring alignment across the portfolio and with broader RWE positions as appropriate.
• Ensure that relevant RWE website pages are up to date and provide transparency as well as raising awareness.
• Participate on industry and regional working groups to represent RWE’s views and ensure alignment between industry and project messaging as appropriate.
• Ensure the management of legal agreements and compliance related to the sponsorship and attendance of events.
• Coordinate and simplify processes for internal sign off as required e.g. from RWE AG or other operating companies.
• Support engagement with local community and political stakeholders in respect of national issues that generate a very high level of local and political interest, which needs careful management particularly where we have local sites in development.
• Collate of portfolio wide figures to demonstrate aggregated impact of RWE’s portfolio across the UK & Ireland, continuously improve quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Collate and share qualitative stories to bring our activities to life and tailored to appropriate audience demonstrating how we “Deliver value to the communities in which we operate ”.

Person specification

• Experienced in strategic planning, people and resource management.
• Proactive and able to support a team, ensuring the continuous improvement and development of the team members and their processes, to optimize delivery of both projects and the portfolio’s engagement strategies.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a major infrastructure project and management of communication and stakeholder engagement and consultation.
• Proven ability within a stakeholder and communications environment at a senior level, ideally involving the planning, establishment and delivery of engagement strategies.
• Able to engage and influence a wide range of external stakeholders from trade associations and industry to elected representatives and local communities. Creating persuasive agreements and the associated supporting evidence.
• Able to engage effectively with, consult and inform RWE senior management, Project Leads, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications teams. 
• Proven ability to identify and exploit PR opportunities in line with the aims and key messages of RWE and our offshore portfolio.
• Creative approach to developing new materials that best represent RWE’s portfolio.
• Good awareness of the renewables agenda, wind energy or planning systems in UK & Ireland would be beneficial.
• Good understanding of regional geography, politics, customs, and current issues in relation to offshore wind development or proven ability to gain this understanding quickly.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, communication, negotiation, and diplomacy skills.
• The ability to respond to changing priorities and demands and adopt a flexible approach to working.
• Effective copy writing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Good organization skills.
• Ideally qualified in a relevant PR or communications related discipline.

rwe.com/career

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Apply now with just a few clicks: ad code 86373, application deadline 30/04/2024.

Any questions? Lisa Phillips, lisa.phillips@rwe.com 

We look forward to receiving your application!

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications, irrespective of gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion and beliefs, age or sexual orientation and identity. #inclusionmatters

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Offshore wind is a pivotal element of our carbon neutral ambition. Already No.2 in the global market, we plan to triple our 2.2GW output by 2030, led by projects such as Sofia (1,400 MW) and Kaskasi (342MW). With our financial stability, this is where you’ll also have the freedom to act with conviction and courage as we continuously improve, together.

Renewables is the future of our business, and Offshore wind a pivotal element of our carbon neutral ambition. With 800+ fixed bottom and floating turbines – plus others totalling 800MW we operate for partners – we’re already the No.2 generator globally. And we plan to triple our 2.2GW output by 2030, led by landmark projects such as Sofia (1,400 MW) and Kaskasi (342MW). Offshore wind is a constantly evolving technical, practical and social challenge. Our financial stability means you’ll have the freedom to act with conviction and courage as we pivot to harness new technologies – and continuously improve, together.

Want to learn more about working for RWE Offshore? Join „Our Journey Offshore“ by watching the miniseries including 6 episodes, 5 ambassadors and one exciting trip Offshore.