Job Description

  

The project is expected to take five years to complete. This role is offered as a 6 month fixed term contract

This role is based at Endeavour Square, however the team are currently working from home. Site visits may be required in the future.

Key Accountabilities
• Working 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 among key stakeholders, including the communities affected by the scheme.
• Developing and managing external engagement and communications strategies for the project, clearly identifying the different requirements of the audiences and communities around the project.
• Ensuring communications responsibilities and resources within the contractor team are effectively and appropriately coordinated and delivered under a single strategy owned by you. 
• Being responsible for taking the narrative to local communities - building a broad economic and social case alongside the transport benefits - that supports the Mayors priorities. Work closely with and local government to promote the scheme. 
• Undertake necessary Consultation where appropriate, acting 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.
• Developing and maintaining 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.
• Supporting the managing director of Customer Communications & Technology (CCT) in briefing the 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.
• Commissioning research from relevant Research and Insight teams and preparing briefings to support TfL’s engagement with key stakeholder groups and our customers.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills
• Excellent organisational, people and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization, coordinating resources from internal teams and contractors
• Ability to work with contractors/suppliers to deliver communications 
• Ability to ensure all short-term activities are aligned with long-term objectives.
• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with an ability to work and think effectively in high-pressure situations.
• 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.
• Ability to produce and assimilate concise and coherent pieces of research on complex issues to tight deadlines.

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

 Final salary pension scheme 
•    Free travel for you on the TfL network 
•    A 75% discount on National Rail Season Ticket and interest free loan 
•    30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
•    Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional) 
•    Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
•    Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
•    Discounted Eurostar travel

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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