Projects Communications Specialist

at  Transport for London

Organisation - Borough Partnerships
Job - Communications
Position Type - Full Time
Salary - £50,000 - £55,000
Location – Palestra
Contract Type – Fixed Term Contract for 18 months (TfL)
Band - 3
Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure the project is fully integrated into TfL’s wider objectives and communications, so our position is coherent and easily understandable to ensure maximum support amongst key stakeholders, including the communities affected by the scheme.
2. Develop and manage external engagement and communications strategies for the project, clearly identifying the different requirements of the audiences and communities around the project.
3. Ensure comms responsibilities and resources within the contractor team are effectively and appropriately coordinated and delivered under a single strategy owned by you
4. Be responsible for taking the narrative to local communities - building a broad economic and social case alongside the transport benefits - the supports the Mayors priorities. Work closely with and local government to promote the scheme.
5. Act as the main point of contact for all relevant stakeholder groups that will be affected – developing relationships, holding regular face-to-face meetings, giving presentations and briefings.
6. Develop and maintain close working relationships with communications teams from across TfL, guiding and assisting them where necessary to enable effective communications with stakeholders, opinion-formers and customers, ensuring a joined-up approach.
7. Support the Director of Strategy in briefing the Chief Customer & Strategy Officer, Commissioner, Executive Committee and other senior colleagues on the project for their engagement with stakeholders. Ensure that the messages are communicated effectively to TfL colleagues more widely.
8. Carry out research and prepare briefings to support TfL’s engagement with key stakeholder groups and our customers.

SKILLS

• Excellent organisational, people and time-management skills (e).
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organisation, coordinating resources from internal teams and contractors (e)
• Ability to work with contractors/suppliers to deliver communications (e)
• Ability to ensure all short-term activities are aligned with long-term objectives (e).
• Confidence to play a full and active part in internal meetings up to and including managing director level, challenging assumptions and behaviours if these potentially impact on the reputation of TfL and our projects (e).
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with an ability to work and think effectively in high-pressure situations (e).
• Ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders, including MPs, London Assembly Members, private developers, business representatives, local authorities and community groups (e)
• Ability to produce and assimilate concise and coherent pieces of research on complex issues to tight deadlines. (d)

KNOWLEDGE

• Evidence of an understanding of the complexities of high-profile public sector organisations operating in political and institutional environments (Essential).
• Understanding of the local, regional, national and international political and policy context in which TfL operates (Desirable).
• A good understanding of TfL’s business plan and the Mayor’s priorities (Desirable)
• Excellent understanding of the strategic issues and needs of London (Desirable)
• Knowledge of stakeholder engagement processes and techniques (Essential)
• Evidence of understanding the key communications requirements around a major infrastructure project, and of London planning guidelines and approaches (Desirable)
• Knowledge of developments and emerging best practices in transport in the UK and globally (Desirable).
• Educated to degree level or with relevant experience (Essential).
• Excellent presentation and organisational skills (Essential).

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a mainstream public affairs environment, dealing with political stakeholders, those representing business, residents and customers (Essential).
• Experience of engaging with external audiences and political institutions, encouraging third-party advocacy and alleviating criticism (Essential).
• Experience of working in a varied political environment (Essential)
• Experience in a cross-section of communications functions, which should include some specific stakeholder communications experience in the transport sector (Desirable).
• Excellent record of delivering results on time and within budget (Essential).

Based within the Local Communities and Partnerships team, our vision is simple: We build relationships with London’s boroughs and local communities to deliver better transport for everyone.
In this role, you will be part of a dynamic team of engagement specialists who create, build and manage effective and efficient strategic plans to support engagement with London’s boroughs, sub-regional partnerships, local communities and neighbourhoods.
Accountable for enhancing the reputation of TfL with the communities we serve and ensuring that a consistent and coordinated approach is applied to help achieve TfL’s and the Mayor’s priorities, you will be at the forefront of stakeholder engagement and communications on key projects such as Healthy Streets, Vision Zero, transformation of Oxford Street and DLR to Thamesmead.