External Affairs Manager
Job Type : Permanent, Full Time
Salary : £46000 – £52000/annum
Midlands Connect are recruiting for an External Affairs Manager to join their established and busy team! If you are looking for a varied role where you will get the chance to work on multiple projects, run the press office and engage with government agencies and MP’s, then this may be the role for you.
Managing all aspects of media relations and working across multiple communication disciplines, you will support the Head of Communications in engaging with internal and external stakeholders, communicating Midlands Connects activities and policy positions through briefings, newsletters, events, and creating social media content. This is a varied role where you will be responsible for the day to day running of press output and deal with proactive and reactive media.
Relationship building is a key part of this role as you will need to develop quality relationships with local, regional, national and trade media contacts. You will also oversee and manage relationships with external creative agencies, including graphic and web design, public affairs and video content. This is a vital role as you will act as a key point of contact whilst establishing and raising a prominent profile for the organisation.
What you will be doing
* Lead the external affairs team in the ongoing development, maintenance and editing of Midlands Connect publication materials
* Develop and foster a regular dialogue and act as the primary point of contact for external affairs
* Attend and support relevant internal and external meetings to give external affairs-related advice and act as a point of contact for media, in attendance at meetings
* Ensure all external affairs activities adhere to Midlands Connects governance processes
* Manage media mentions and contacts using the Midlands Connect Stakeholder Relationship Management system
* Write and issue media releases, briefings and audio-visual content
* Generate media statements
* Act as spokesperson for the organisation either in the media or at stakeholder events
* Implement and manage Midlands Connect PR crisis procedures alongside the Head of Communications and Public Relations
* Develop the skills and support the long-term career aspirations of direct and indirect reports within the External Affairs team
Midlands Connect is the transport partner of the Midlands Engine, a coalition of Councils, Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Universities, and businesses across the region, actively working with Government to add value for the whole of the Midlands and its communities. The team research, develop and recommend long-term transport projects which will provide the biggest possible economic, social and environmental benefits for the Midlands and the rest of the UK.
WMCA acts as the accountable body for the Midlands Connect partnership and is a core pillar of the Midlands Engine ‘Vision for Growth’.
About you
Innovative, creative, ambitious and imaginative are a few words that would describe our ideal candidate.
Ideally you will be a driven and forward-thinking individual, with a strong focus on developing and maintaining quality relationships.
To be successful in this role you will need experience of working with a wide range of media types and an understanding of wider communication practices.
You will be a strong influencer who has great communication and interpersonal skills who is able to create engaging content.
Being able to work to tight deadlines and having strong organisation skills is key for this role.
A communications/journalism degree and good analytical and problem-solving skills would be desirable for this role.
Location
156 Great Charles Street, Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HN. Hybrid working conditions are currently in place which means working remotely and coming to the office when required
More Information
- Address B3, Birmingham, West Midlands (County)
