External Communications Lead

About Us:
A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there's something for everyone to get stuck into. And that's where you come in.

Our Opportunity:
We are currently looking for an External Communications Lead to manage all aspects of our external comms and PR activities and continue to drive the brand awareness and market presence of Hitachi Rail GTS UK. As a key member of the business, the role holder will support with the creation and dissemination key business messages, using a range of media channels, including Events & Exhibitions, Media/Trade Press Relationships, PR, Web/Digital Marketing and Social Media.

We are seeking an energetic, tech savvy communications professional with a proven track record in creating marketing and communications strategy as well as delivering effective external communications in support of overall business priorities.

You will be working in a complex matrix environment and liaising with stakeholders from a wide range of experience, working closely with colleagues at all levels of understanding communications.

This is a 1 year fixed term contract position based in London, mostly in St Katherine's Dock, with up to 30% of your role expected to be travelling between our locations as well as customer sites and industry events.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute external communications plan in line with business and marketing objectives
• Indirect-to-customer stakeholder management
• Proactively build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and leaders across the Hitachi Rail business
• Raise the profile of our brand and people around major industry events
• Manage logistics and organisation for industry events, including coordination of attendance and messaging
• Support Business Winning team and Marketing with organisation of key, strategic owned events
• Manage media relations and reactive press enquiries
• Proactively pitch story ideas that help meet UK communications objectives
• Proactively create and support thought leadership opportunities
• Ensure the UK has a presence across global communications channels
• Partner with global and Business Line communications teams to ensure alignment between global and UK comms objectives
• Prepare executive communications on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team
• Responsible for internal and external brand awareness, management and use in the UK
• Build Communications capability and confidence of our employee base through knowledge sharing and/or upskilling sessions

Technical Skills and Experience:

• A trusted adviser and subject matter expert in External Communications
• Proven experience working with External and Change Communications
• Previous experience serving B2B and/or B2G clients
• Experience of working within an Engineering/Technology and/or a global matrix operating environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High standard of media content creation

Human Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy
• Excellent organisation and time management
• Focused, resilient, ability to bounce back from setbacks, remains calm under pressure
• Pragmatic and solution focussed
• Team player, active listener, respectful of differences
• Proactive approach with strong initiative

Qualifications:

• Degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing and/or a demonstrable track record in a related field / role

What to expect:
We aim to complete a two-stage interview process, with the first of these held in person at one of our London offices. The first interview will include a brief given prior to attendance and delivery of a presentation. The second will focus more on the behavioural competencies required for the role.

Reasonable adjustments are available with prior notice. To find out what reasonable adjustments are, and what might be available, your TA partner will be happy to discuss this with you.

What We Can Offer:
We're committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you'll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility:
Your health and well-being matters to us and that's why we offer you the flexibility to do what's important to you; whether that's part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.
Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers .