Head of Communications and Engagement – River Thames Scheme

The starting salary for this role is £57,868 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.

This role is a two-year fixed term contract or secondment opportunity, with a view to extend.

The role is based in Quadrant Court in Woking, but the post holder will regularly work from the county council’s Woodhatch Place office in Reigate and from Environment Agency offices in Westminster or Reading.

The River Thames Scheme is looking for a new Head of Communications and Engagement. This is a rare opportunity to take a leading role in the communications for the first infrastructure scheme of national significance to cover flooding. The scheme will offer protection to homes and businesses in one of the largest areas of undefended, developed floodplain in England.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

The River Thames Scheme

The River Thames Scheme will reduce the flood risk for more than 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses as well as for key elements of infrastructure. A partnership led by Surrey County Council and the Environment Agency will create a new flood-relief channel, built in two sections in Runnymede and Spelthorne, deliver new areas for recreation and wildlife, increase biodiversity and create new walking and cycle routes.

The role

Based in Surrey County Council but working across the partnership, we’re looking for someone who has substantial communications experience on a major infrastructure project, including through a Development Consent Order (DCO) process. Leading a small team, we need someone who has experience in areas such as public affairs, stakeholder engagement, digital and staff communications and community engagement.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, project teams, the project’s supply chain, the wider partners and the communications services at Defra and Surrey County Council.

To be considered for shortlisting your CV and personal statement will need to clearly evidence:

• Substantial communications experience in a senior role on a major infrastructure project
• Experience of the DCO process
• Experience of managing a team
• Ability to work with and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders – from senior leaders, to partners and the supply chain

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 7th January 2024 with interviews to be confirmed.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.