Head of Communications London, England
Job description
The opportunity
Project: The head of communications is responsible for managing the HS2 Euston station integrated project team’s (IPT) corporate communications, both internal and external, with a focus on supporting the aspirations of the IPT leadership to proactively and positively position the work of our people. They will also be responsible for managing and maintaining relationships with HS2’s central communications team and counterparts within the Euston partnership member organisations.
The head of communications will offer to guidance and support to other functions as required, by providing specialist advice and ensuring alignment of messaging across all communications outputs.
The IPT consists of people from: HS2, Mace, Dragados, WSP, Arup and Grimshaw.
Your responsibilities will include:
Developing and deliver a comprehensive communications plan, in alignment with the Works Information, that supports the aspirations and good work of the IPT both internally (across all constituent organisations) and externally and on behalf of all constituent IPT member organisations.
Establishing, maintaining and advocating a project communication standard, including correct use of project brand, tone of voice and document style.
Presenting important information to the IPT through written and verbal communications, including in all staff briefings.
Working closely with HS2 communications colleagues, building and maintaining an effective working relationship, to ensure proactive and positive positioning of the IPT, including advising on and providing lines for media activity.
Maintaining a strong and collaborative relationship with the Mace and Dragados corporate communications functions, as well as comms representatives at SDSC.
Owning the IPT’s communications relationships across the Euston campus, including with all constituent Euston Partnership members.
Ensuring all external IPT communications outputs, irrespective of source, receive the appropriate internal and client approvals.
Maintaining a close working relationship with the stakeholder and community engagement team to ensure awareness of ‘on-the-ground’ matters for consideration in central communications outputs and to oversee and assure community communications materials. Support with responses to project queries and complaints.
Identifying opportunities for external promotion, seek HS2 approval, support with material preparation. This included third-party conferences, presentations to parent companies and route-wide HS2 initiatives
Supporting the IPT Leadership Team with tactical comms requirements, including speeches for conferences.
Owning and managing the photography retainer for the project, direct content capture, upload images to visual library. Facilitating filming of onsite activity and manage the process to produce video content.
Supporting with the management of the IPT’s internal events programme, including regularity, format, content and promotion.
Supporting with and guide updates to key information documents, such as the project handbook and the project induction pack.
Supporting and managing crisis communications, as well as FOI requests to the project.
About you
You degree educated and have relevant experience of communications management for major clients and/or projects along with experience of communications in the infrastructure and construction sectors. You are digitally savvy, can build lasting client relationships and lead strong, motivated teams. You will have a construction or project management background and be hungry to grow your career and enjoy the opportunities Mace has to offer.
