Head of Corporate Affairs

Job Description

Department: Corporate Affairs
Reporting to: Director of Corporate Affairs
Grade: 1
Starting Salary: £93,877 per annum + £6,177 per annum Car Allowance
Base: London
Closing date: 9th June 2024
Interview date: 20th June 2024

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Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for the UK’s biggest port – 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

The Corporate Affairs team’s mission is to put the river at the heart of the story and build the PLA’s reputation as a trusted port.

Delivering communications and engagement with purpose, enabling the PLA’s business plan priorities and promoting the Thames Vision, always uncompromising on safety.

The role:

A fantastic opportunity for a Head of Corporate Affairs to lead a communications team of five people (three direct reports) within a small but very busy Corporate Affairs function. The successful candidate will report into the Director of Corporate Affairs and be part of her senior leadership team; deputising for the DCA as needed.

You will use effective communications to raise the profile of and engagement with the PLA’s Thames Vision 2050, connecting with new audiences with our mission to create a thriving river, home to the UK’s number one port.

The successful candidate will be required to develop and deliver a digital communications strategy, whilst managing relationships with national media and other senior stakeholders.

You will also be responsible for the PLA crisis communications plan, ensuring it is fit for purpose, regularly tested, and that colleagues from across the Corporate Affairs function are trained and confident in responding to an event.

Responsibilities:

• Leading and developing a high-performing team of communications professionals
• Using effective communications to raise the profile of and engagement with the PLA’s Thames Vision 2050, connecting with new audiences with our mission to create a thriving river, home to the UK’s number one port Accountable, with the responsible Media and Content Manager for developing and delivering effective, multi-channel external communications, in line with the wider Corporate Affairs strategy and which support PLA’s business priorities and the Thames Vision goals
• Accountable, with the responsible Internal Communications Officer, for developing compelling internal communications which engage audiences and embed our PLA mission, purpose and objectives
• Accountable, with the responsible Web and Social Media Manager, for developing and delivering a digital communications strategy
• Management of relationships with national media and other senior stakeholders
• Developing a corporate narrative, embedding across the PLA, and ensuring consistency of message across all communications channels
• Deputising for the Director of Corporate Affairs when needed, including taking on day-to-day responsibility for the effective functioning of the directorate in her absence
• Responsibility for briefing, training or supporting C-suite level senior leaders with external and internal communications
• Accountability for the proper management of the communications function’s budget
• Ensuring effective use of PLA CRM system to manage external contacts and stakeholder relationships

What we are looking for:

You will be educated to degree level in a related discipline or have at least ten years’ equivalent experience, including five plus years’ experience of managing a team.

Essential

• Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary communications function, including internal communications, PR and digital
• An excellent leader, with a proven ability to build a cohesive team culture which supports and enables continuous improvement
• Crisis communications and/or reputation management experience, including developing and owning plans and responses
• Ability to create and maintain effective relationships with national media
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Confidence in working with senior leaders, including C-suite, in preparing for media events and interviews

Desirable

• Although maritime experience would beneficial – transportation, logistics, police, utilities would all be an advantage
• Experience of working in a highly unionised workforce

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Car Allowance
• Private Health Insurance
• Generous pension scheme
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts
• Salary sacrifice Car Scheme

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Sian Foster (Director of Corporate Affairs) via her EA at Helen.Lawrenson@pla.co.uk

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.