NATS is the UKs leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2 million flights each year. It provides air traffic control services from two control centres and 14 airports in the UK, as well as a wide range of commercial solutions to over 30 countries internationally.
We are passionate about being an equal opportunities employer, treating all colleagues in a fair and respectful manner. We appreciate and value the diversity of our employees and the inclusive environment we work in. Having employees with a wide range of skills, knowledge, creativity, innovation and energy is important to us, and allows us to be the industry leaders we are.
NATS is recruiting for a Corporate Affairs Advisor to protect and enhance NATS’ reputation by helping develop and manage engagement with political, community and media audiences.
The Corporate Affairs Advisor, reporting to Political Affairs Manager, will use that engagement to increase trust of NATS’ motives in seeking to modernise airspace; and foster a wider external environment that allows NATS to achieve its business objectives, notably the modernisation of UK airspace.
Principle Accountabilities
- Plays a full role in supporting and delivering political, media and local community engagement strategies;
- Responsible for delivering the strategy at a local level; and ensures strategies are properly coordinated and executed between all three disciplines and at all levels up to and including Executive;
- Creates collateral for engagement with Political and Community audiences;
- Responsible for ensuring local media are informed and engaged with key developments in support of airspace change;
- Prepares briefings for the CEO, Executive and Senior Leaders ahead of meetings with Ministers and senior politicians;
- Builds and maintains a network of contacts with MPs’ constituency offices and with local media to establish a 121 relationship and build trust, creating an additional level of regular contact with these audiences;
- Monitors and circulates political and media intelligence and advice to support the business; research and analyse the impact of policy proposals on NATS and make recommendations on how to respond;
- Supports management and delivery of NATS' media and political response to major incidents by organising and maintaining meetings, workshops and exercises;
- Member of permanent working group which produces and maintains the necessary supporting documents;
- Supports Community Relations Manager in creating and maintaining a database to manage public, corporate and political media contacts;
- Participate in NATS’ response to major incident scenarios involving NATS, directly or indirectly. This includes participation in the 24/7 duty press officer roster and manning the press office out of hours at little or no notice depending on the incident.
Qualifications and Skills
- Educated to degree level preferably in a political or communications-related subject;
- Significant experience in political, media and/or community relations;
- Understanding of UK legislative and parliamentary processes;
- Excellent written, editing and computer skills; familiarity with social media and awareness of how and when to use it;
- Sound judgement, with good news sense and awareness of potentially newsworthy or contentious issues;
- Calm under pressure and able to work to tight deadlines;
- A confident self-starter with strong organisational skills to support multiple projects.
Additional information
In addition to salary, NATS offers a range of excellent benefits which includes 26 days leave, increasing to 28 days after 1 year’s service plus statutory leave and a top class contributory DC pension scheme.