Engagement Officer

Job Introduction

The Engagement Officer role is based in the delivery area Consents & Engagement team and reports into an Engagement Manager. The Engagement Officer supports the project’s engagement and communications strategy, assisting in developing and executing plans for engaging stakeholders including residents, council officers, schools, community groups and key engagement forums to deliver the works.

The area Consents & Engagement team works collaboratively with the other area teams and the SCS-wide Consents & Engagement function, which provides support to the area teams through project-wide processes, procedures and information sharing.

The Consents & Engagement area team’s purpose is to

• be a good neighbour in the community by helping the delivery team understand and plan for the community impacts of work, supporting reputation management of the project, the organisation and the client
• ensure the client, stakeholder groups and the local community have advance notice of SCS works and engagement in accordance with the HS2 Act and best practice
• support the delivery team to plan and deliver the works on time, with client, stakeholder and community awareness and in accordance with approved consents and project commitments.

The post will require an organised and resilient individual with well-developed communication skills who is comfortable dealing with conflict and complex content. Engagement includes face-to-face and video meetings, workshops, presentations, door-knocking, letterbox drops, written communications, events and phone calls.

Role Responsibility

• Adding value to the delivery of the project and supporting the consenting process by working closely with the engagement managers to build and manage external and internal relationships through engagement plans, schedules, trackers and reports
• contributing to the preparation and facilitation of stakeholder workshops, briefings, presentations and attending stakeholder forums
• identifying and escalating potential risks, issues and sensitive situations to the engagement management team
• providing input to, and complying with, third party agreements and licences
• support the delivery team’s compliance with, and coordinating evidence for, project commitments known as Undertakings and Assurances
• managing enquiries, complaints, compliments and issues including drafting and coordinating approved responses, acting as a ‘super-user’ of the project database, reporting and maintaining up-to-date key messages and standard responses
• providing both office-based and on-the-ground support where required
• engaging proactively with the delivery team to understand the works, programme and impacts with a view to coordinating engagement and minimising effects on stakeholders
• assist in the delivery of engagement events both in person and virtually including drafting approved materials, undertaking event management and tracking engagement
• work with colleagues in Skills, Education & Employment team to identify opportunities for the community
• support HS2 to promote a positive image of the project and raise public awareness of the benefits of the project
• assist with the delivery of the project’s Community Investment programme, working with colleagues to realise investment in legacy projects
• proactively engage in wider HS2 activities, supporting collaborative opportunities and sharing best practice and lessons learned
• administrative support as required and acting as deputy for engagement manager

The Ideal Candidate

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Experience of the construction/ infrastructure industry
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Credible communicator and relationship manager
• Proven ability in effectively dealing with conflict
• Proven ability to work under pressure and with meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent written skills and ability to pull critical information from technical data

Desirable Qualifications & Skills

• Experienced public speaker
• Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly learn, the statutory process and planning requirements of the HS2 Act
• Tertiary qualification in communications
• Database management and reporting experience
• Advanced Excel skills
• Interest in graphic design

SCS Railways