External Affairs Manager or Associate

Divisional External Affairs Associate / Manager – flexible on location across South Wales and South West England, we have offices in Llantrisant, Swansea, Portishead, Malmesbury, Plymouth and Exeter.

Persimmon Plc is a FTSE 100 listed company and one of the largest house builders in the UK. It operates through a national network of 31 regional operating businesses in England, Wales and Scotland and the company delivers around 15,000 new homes a year across c.300 developments resulting in a combined group turnover of over £3bn.

These 2 roles are new additions to a developing Group team. You will report to the divisional head of external affairs, but work closely with the local managing directors. This is an important role within the department and will be an integral part of the delivery of a Group stakeholder strategy. 

What is the role?

You will primarily be responsible for supporting the delivery of an external affairs strategy across our eight operating businesses in northern England or six business across the South West and South Wales. This will involve local stakeholder engagement and press activity. We are seeking to improve our stakeholder engagement and media management, to enhance our relationships and reputation and identify opportunities for business development.

The role will include:

• Assist stakeholder engagement across northern or South West England and South Wales. This will involve working with eight / six operating businesses;
• Work with internal colleagues to enhance our press and social media presence;
• Drafting press releases, letters and other appropriate communications to deliver our strategy;
• Organising stakeholder and press events;
• Work closely with the divisional head and senior directors to deliver the strategy. You will be required to support and advise on key stakeholder and press relationships;
• Understanding and identifying key political and policy issues and trends that impact Persimmon’s business;
• Ensure Persimmon’s key messages are delivered to the right audiences in the correct manner. This is likely to include both briefing senior colleagues and in your own discussions with key stakeholders;
• Help ensure press, public affairs and internal communications messages are aligned. As well as helping to manage local press relations and co-ordinate with social media and internal communication colleagues.

What experience and skills are we looking for?

This is a new and visible role within our business as we upgrade our stakeholder engagement. As external affairs associate / manager you will have stakeholder and press management credentials, with previous experience of operating within a similar function and a good understanding of northern England / South West England or South Wales politics and policy debate. You will have proven writing, speaking, interpersonal and creative skills and a relevant BA Hons degree (or equivalent) would be an advantage. 

What’s in it for you?

The salary is competitive with a benefits package to include a company car or car allowance, contributory pension, life cover, healthcare and a generous bonus. This role will involve travel across the territories as well as occasional trips to other Group offices.

Persimmon offer flexible working hour arrangements with the agreement of the Head of Department

Persimmon has a Hybrid Working Policy for core roles in the business allowing staff on completion of probation to apply for home working up to 2/3 days per week.

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‘Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory background check e.g. employment history and criminal record check. These background checks are job specific to certain vacancies within Persimmon’

Persimmon is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. 

Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.