Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Head of Stakeholder Relations will be responsible for the SMCDB's informal and formal relationships with its stakeholders. These include Parliamentary and political opinion-formers, charities and campaigning organisations, consumer groups and websites, thinktanks, member energy companies, government (specifically the Department of Energy and Climate Change), and other regulatory stakeholders.
Role and Responsibilities
- Establish strong working relationships with wide range of stakeholders across the energy industry, consumer groups and other interest groups, Government and delivery partners;
- Run the CEO’s programme of 121 meetings with key stakeholders and Parliamentarians – including Ministers, shadows, special advisers and thinktanks;
- Plan and deliver stakeholder engagement activities (both reactive and proactive) to inform, engage and create advocacy for the programme;
- Plan and oversee a series of events for target stakeholder groups throughout the year, including at party conferences;
- Oversee regular stakeholder e-communications;
- Manage formal and creative partnerships with relevant stakeholders to further the objectives of the smart meter roll-out campaign, ensuring value for money;
- Report regularly to a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external;
- Contribute to the wider communications programme as required, liaising in particular with the Marketing team on their paid-for partnership work;
- Line manage the Stakeholder and Communications Officer.
Person Specification
Experience:
- Experience in working in a complex stakeholder environment requiring networking ability and diplomacy;
- Experience of organising and running events;
- Experience of managing engagement activities around controversial and complicated topics;
- Excellent networks with political and stakeholder groups;
- Track record of delivering appropriate and timely stakeholder communications.
Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Collaborative team working;
- Creativity and innovation when communicating technical topics for varied audiences;
- Ability to act as external ambassador for the SMCDB;
- Demonstrable success and experience in stakeholder engagement or public affairs roles;
- Excellent diplomacy and communication skills;
- Knowledge of the workings of Parliament.