Principal Communications Specialist

We have an AWEsome opportunity for a Principal Communications Specialist to support an exciting new programme at AWE.

Location: Hybrid and flexible working, with our offices based in Berkshire between Reading, Basingstoke and Newbury with onsite parking and public transport services.

Salary: Starting at £60k, negotiable depending on experience

A typical day as a Principal Communications Specialist could look like this:

There are so many great opportunities open to you as a Principal Communications Specialist on our new programme that it’s hard to know where to begin. We are in the very early stages of setting out our communications approach so you can make your mark quickly. You will be joining a team of truly talented individuals who are embarking on a once-in-a-generation investment programme.

What you bring to the table will be excellent communications and engagement leadership experience, telling our story to our supply chain, businesses and external partners and helping them understand its benefits and opportunities. Your internal clients will look for great advice and delivery, support by robust and measurable communications plans, based on insight of your audiences and designed to deliver real impact.

Some of the key activities you will undertake as a Principal Communications Specialist are, but not limited to:

• Maximising the effectiveness of our internal and external channels – ensuring best and up-to-date practices
• Working with the programme to understand what needs to be communicated to whom and when, ensuring clear, timely communications
• Providing insights and advice on creating behaviour change through communication, taking account of stakeholder and audience communication needs
• Using the OASIS framework, taking briefs, extracting insights about the communications objective(s) required on each project
• Using the OASIS framework, developing and delivering communications plans to meet strategic priorities and objectives
• Undertaking regular review of plans to ensure it meets objectives; adjusting plans to suit need as necessary
• Promoting understanding of the business’s priorities
• Supporting a strong employer brand
• Writing and editing copy that aligns to the programme’s core narrative, while also support AWE’s overall business strategy and the Corporate Affairs strategy and principles
• Using visual techniques to make communications stand out
• Making effective use of measures to evaluate communications and contributing to continuous improvement activity in Corporate Affairs
• As part of the Corporate Affairs on-call team, responding to emergency and business continuity situations

We would like you to demonstrate some of the following skills and attributes:

• Proactive, results oriented approach to communications planning and delivery
• Excellent writing skills for use across a wide selection of communications channels.
• Able to convey clear messages and calls to action adapted for neuro-diverse audiences
• Strong listening and questioning skills – able to get to the source of information and interpret, in plain English, appropriately to chosen audiences
• Effective influencer, ensuring that good practice adopted across the business
• Utilise the most appropriate mix of channels to ensure a positive outcome to communication activities
• Self-starter and able to work well operating as part of a team
• Proficient in the use of core Microsoft Office products – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project
• Rounded understanding of the theory, development and application of internal communications best practice with specific experience of communicating with a neuro-diverse audience
• Experienced at business partnering
• Significant experience of developing and implementing complex and challenging change projects, able to influence and support leaders at all levels
• Proven experience of emergency and business continuity arrangements specifically when applied communication requirements

AWE has been voted one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK. So, when you work with us, you can take advantage of a great package of benefits and development opportunities on top of your salary:

You can find out more about our benefits HERE

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter highlighting any relevant skills and experience for this job, giving us a clear view of what you can bring to the role and also why you want to work with the team here at AWE.

You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain SecurityClearance (funded by the AWE) in order to start with us in this role. It can take several months for clearance to come through.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

For more information about the role or the recruitment process, get in touch with me (Sunflower) at:

(Sorry agencies – we don’t outsource our roles)

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