Group Head of Media and Digital
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SSE has big ambitions to be a leading energy company in a low carbon world. Following our commitment to invest £20.5 billion in low carbon projects to 2027, we have significant growth plans and are well on our way to achieving our ambition to build a world that's more sustainable and inclusive for you, your family, the community you live in and for generations to come.
Join us on our journey to net zero and help us power change.
About the Role
Base Location: London, Glasgow, Perth or Reading with an expectation that you'll work from an SSE office on average three days per week.
Salary: £Competitive + car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available
As the Head of Group Media and Digital at SSE, you will play a critical role in driving the successful delivery of our NZAP+ investment programme by securing buy-in from a diverse range of external stakeholders. You will be responsible for developing and delivering SSE's external communications strategy, helping shape the investment case for current and potential shareholders, influencing policymakers, protecting and enhancing SSE's reputation, and positioning the Group as the leading Clean Energy Champion in the UK and Ireland.
Reporting directly to the Director of Corporate Affairs, you will be a senior member of the Corporate Affairs team, providing expert media counsel to the Board and Group Executive Committee (GEC). You will lead on all major reputational issues and work closely with business unit Corporate Affairs teams to deliver best-in-class communications that help deliver their strategic objectives. You'll manage a centralised team of 13 professionals, coordinating SSE's extensive media and digital activity. This includes overseeing a 24/7 press office, websites, and social media channels, ensuring consistent, impactful, and strategic communication across all platforms. The key responsibilities of the role include:
- Creating and implementing an external communications strategy that supports the NZAP+ investment programme, enhances SSE's reputation, and builds advocacy among key stakeholders, including investors and policymakers.
- Providing high quality counsel to the CEO and executive team, identifying and delivering opportunities to accelerate the Group's commercial and other strategic objectives.
- Managing a centralised media and digital team to deliver a long-term compelling, ambitious, and targeted media relations and digital communications plan, ensure SSE's media strategy is consistent, coordinated, enhances its reputation and helps deliver the NZAP+ programme.
- Supporting Corporate Affairs teams by offering strategic oversight and expert media messaging and planning to external campaigns activity, ensuring consistency of messaging across the Group and aligning this with the Corporate Affairs plan.
- Overseeing SSE's reputation management and stakeholder relationships on a national and international level, developing and maintaining strong connections with journalists, government bodies, regulators, trade associations, and other key stakeholders. Collaborating closely with Investor Relations and Brand teams to deliver first class financial and brand communications.
What do I need?
You'll bring significant experience in media communications with a strong contact book in key broadcast, national print and digital media, as well as a keen interest in and awareness of the changing media landscape and how best to influence. We'd also love you to have:
- Outstanding judgement which enables you quickly to diagnose reputational opportunities and risks involved in SSE's interface with media.
- Proven track record of providing leadership at a senior level to a communications team in a large, complex organisation. Experience operating in a matrix structure, able to work across and through indirect teams, bringing colleagues together to deliver results.
- Proven track record of engaging, influencing, and advising at CEO level.
- An integrated, multi-channel mindset,with a flair for digital storytelling across web and social.
- Highly developed commercial acumen and financial literacy and experience in a publicly listed or regulatory environment.
About our business
Corporate Affairs, Regulation & Strategy (CARS) combines three quite separate but intrinsically linked functions, with a shared focus on advising, influencing and communicating SSE's strategy and interests with key stakeholders. This involves the interpretation of complex political and regulatory changes, skilled advocacy to build coalitions and inform the future energy ecosystem, and innovative communication techniques to ensure SSE's story is reached by a broad range of audiences including investors, competitors, governments, partners, suppliers, communities, and both current and prospective employees.
What's in it for you?
We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.
As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for ' Inclusion & Diversity at SSE ' to find out more.
What happens now?
All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.
Please ensure that you upload a compelling cover letter that goes beyond paraphrasing your CV. Instead, tell us why you are interested in this role and SSE, how you would approach the position, and how you would bring your experience and capabilities to bear. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to communicate persuasively.
If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact louise.makwick@sse.com / 01738 351671.
Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.
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