Corporate Affairs Manager (Southampton)

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

The Role: Corporate Affairs Manager – Southampton

Purpose:

This role is the regional lead for stakeholder relations and external communications, supporting the Regional Director and leadership team to maximise ABP’s reputation and profile and support the delivery of effective customer and employee engagement. Based out of the Southampton Ocean Gate office, with a competitive salary and benefits package, we are looking for someone to undertake the role 3 days per week in Southampton and one day per week out of our Head Office in Central London.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and build excellent stakeholder relationships both internally and externally
• Coordinate interaction with key stakeholders including Parliamentarians in Westminster and in the region, local government, regional planning and enterprise bodies, trade associations, customers, neighbours and community groups
• Key interface in the region for the Solent Freeport
• Develop a regional strategic communications plan covering internal, external and social channels, align with group strategy and messages
• Manage media and external communications for the region, including marketing related to cruise activities
• Support Crisis Communications planning and management of communications related to incidents/crisis situations
• Effective coordination with communications colleagues across the business to ensure consistent messaging
• Group events calendar management to support effective corporate communications planning

About you:

We are seeking a candidate as articulate in person as they are on paper, able to navigate through a complex and geographically diverse organisation with confidence, gravitas and curiosity. Experience in the Port sector is not essential; the proven ability to get to grips with a complex brief and build effective relationships quickly is..

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Able to analyse understand complex external and internal business issues
• Strong written skills for preparing copy for press releases, publications, marketing collateral and other media 
• Effective team player and able to work with both external and internal stakeholders at all levels
• Background and experience in public relations / media management / marketing
• Experience of working in large, commercial enterprise
• Confident working effectively with geographically diverse teams
• Ability to work proactively with a high degree of autonomy

Ideal

• B2B marketing experience

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels