Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Job Introduction

• The Stakeholder Engagement Manager is embedded within an area-based delivery team at either Euston, Old Oak Common or Hillingdon, and reports directly to the Consents and Engagement Area Manager (C&EAM) to ensure the needs of both the integrated project delivery team, the client and stakeholders are met. 

• The Stakeholder Engagement Manager liaises between the project, HS2 Ltd and key stakeholders within a defined geographical area, proactively developing productive relationships that deliver benefits for all parties. 

• This role is responsible for managing non-technical stakeholder interfaces and assists in compliance with project commitments and area-specific Undertakings and Assurances (U&As) – HS2’s commitments to stakeholders – by working with the local U&A Coordinator and the Routewide U&A Compliance Manager, HS2 and the area-based delivery team, in accordance with the HS2 Act and best practice. 

• The role will support the Land Access Manager by coordinating all land access requirements from the delivery team to the Land Access Manager 

•  The Stakeholder Engagement Manager works alongside the Community Engagement Manager and supports the C&EAM in coordinating the input of consents specialists to ensure stakeholder relationships are effectively managed and that the area programme requirements are understood and delivered, providing a joined-up engagement function within the area-based delivery team. 

Role Responsibility

Responsible for 

• Development & implementation of the SCS Stakeholder engagement strategy, and of local stakeholder management plans, for key stakeholders within the area-based delivery team. 

• Ensure the works are carried out in accordance with relevant U&As and other third party agreements and within specified timescales, including collaborating with others (eg other Main Works Civils Contractors etc.) to deliver consistency and “Best for Programme” outcomes. 

• Advising / briefing the wider project team / subcontractors on all relevant stakeholder matters including providing sufficient information on pertinent U&As or third party agreements and other stakeholder requirements. 

• Working with stakeholders, the U&A Coordinator & Manager and the project team to ensure compliance with U&As and other contractual requirements including identifying when SCS obligations must be enacted, when the commitment is discharged, any required processes and how these activities affect the programme. 

• Assist in the development of alternative methods or other solutions to stakeholder issues and compliance with project commitments, including U&As, to stakeholders, throughout the life of the project. 

• Assist the Land Access Coordinator in arranging access for the delivery team  

• Works collaboratively with the Community Engagement team to coordinate external communications, ensure consistency of information to stakeholders and the wider community, and provide support for community events. 

• Works collaboratively with embedded consents specialists to facilitate the securing of consents within the area-based delivery team, including coordinating all stakeholder engagement and reporting on the status of consents. 

• Liaison with HS2, other relevant HS2 Contractors and third parties within the defined area to support the service functions and other areas in delivering a consistent approach to deal with cross-area issues, deliverables and consenting bodies including sharing of best practices, innovation and continuous improvement. 

• Promoting the pursuit of excellence in management of Stakeholder Interfaces, to ensure the process is effective and continuously improved. 

• Act as deputy for the Consents and Engagement Area Manager as required. 

Key Deliverables 

• Strong and productive working relationships with all stakeholders within the assigned area and across the project team 

• Maintain compliance with internal and HS2 processes to ensure project commitments are upheld 

• Development of local Stakeholder engagement plans, coordinated with community engagement plans, and implementation to create strong and productive relationships with those stakeholders 

• Provide input to the contract programme to ensure stakeholder requirements and constraints are correctly identified on the programme 

• Provide input to costs to ensure stakeholder requirements and constraints are correctly considered, and relevant allowances are made 

The Ideal Candidate

Required Qualifications & Skills 

• Detailed understanding of the construction industry or infrastructure projects. 

• Understanding of, or ability to rapidly learn, the statutory process and planning requirements of the HS2 Act. 

• Detailed understanding of, and ability to quickly and effectively identify, third party drivers to assist in relationship building, issue resolution and maximising value opportunities. 

• Outstanding communicator with a warm and persuasive manner - able to adapt methods, styles and tone of communication. Approachable and responsive. 

• Proven ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships and effective channels of communication in a pressurised and highly time sensitive environment 

• Problem solving, facilitation and negotiation skills  

• Demonstrable experience translating technical detail into appropriate, relevant and agreed communications for external audiences. 

• Strong communication and leadership skills 

• Attention to detail, ability to pull critical information from available data and excellent written and presentation skills 

Desirable Qualifications & Skills 

• Project management expertise 

• Tertiary qualification in communications 

• Membership of relevant association 

SCS Railways