External Affairs Lead

Working at Thames Water's Strategic Resource Options combines the excitement of tackling complex water-related challenges, working with internal and external stakeholders, and enjoying personal and professional growth in a collaborative and innovative environment. Your efforts will make a meaningful impact on the future of clean drinking supplies in the South East of the UK for generations to come.

What you’ll be doing as an External Affairs Lead

The role will be part of the Thames Water Strategic Resource Option (SRO) organisation, which is responsible for the development of several projects to improve drought resilience and minimise interruptions to water supplies in the South-East whilst protecting the environment. These projects may include a new reservoir and transfer projects between different river catchments.

The SRO projects are at an early stage in development and over time they will require their own identities. The role will establish a strategy to determine the branding necessary for the future of the projects.

• Steer a team responsible for the external affairs of the SRO projects. Working alongside the Consent lead, Engagement lead and Land Lead you will seek to gain support for the schemes and ensure their success from a consenting and commercial position.
• Utilising experience from other major projects, you will be responsible for directing the engagement plan for political and strategic stakeholders ensuring you and other senior team members can interact at the right level to influence decision making.
• Working closely with the engagement lead you will establish a way of working that segments the stakeholders at a local and national level and deploy our team effectively to ensure we are efficient in our activities.
• Responsible for leading the media (traditional and social) and communications for the SRO projects. Working closely with partners you will plan an ambitious programme of activities and campaigns seeking opportunities to gain positive coverage and reduce any risks to the project. You will identify spokespeople to represent the projects, and ensure they are briefed and prepared, this may include relevant training.
• Establish a way of working with the corporate teams to ensure collaboration and defined accountabilities.

The base location is either Camelford House, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7T or Thames Water Head Office in, RG1 8DB (Please note expectation is to be in the office/on-site for minimum 2 days a week).

Working hours are 36 a week, Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

• Experience in delivering digital content and campaigns for large infrastructure or construction projects.
• Previous experience in a senior external affairs role, specifically political engagement.
• In-depth knowledge of working with a range of stakeholders and corporate teams.
• A successful background in leading and managing a team.
• Exceptional communication skills - written and verbal.
• Able to multi-task and work flexibly to manage conflicting priorities you and your team
• Ability to navigate within a political environment. 
• Be able to travel to support project activities.
• Flexible and resilient to deal with project challenges.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £93,000 per annum depending on your experience in a similar role.
• Generous Car Allowance.
• Annual Leave of 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays) 
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Private Health Insurance.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?

Learn more about us 

Working at Thames Water

At Thames Water, we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business. 

We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, backgrounds, and differences that each individual brings.

Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.

Find out more about working at Thames Water.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.