Head of Communications Data, Insights & Analytics

Job Title: Head of Communications Data, Insights & Analytics

Location: Frimley. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: £85,000 dependent on skills and experience, plus executive benefits.

What you’ll be doing:

In this newly created position, you will play a key role in defining our strategic use of measurement, data and actionable insights to enhance the impact of BAE Systems’ communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation-building activities. As our subject expert, you will advise on best practice, working with suppliers and supporting colleagues across the Communications function to help optimise our impact.

You will:

• Have strategic overview and lead the design of an ongoing research programme, including commissioning new research projects where appropriate
• Develop and manage a central analytics dashboard, working to integrate data, measure the effectiveness of communications activity and generate planning insights
• Lead reputation insights reporting for senior leadership including the Communications Council, Executive Committee and Board
• Develop and champion an approach to build data literacy and improve our measurement capability across the Communications function
• Advise teams on the set up of research projects, appropriate tools/vendors to use, and how to design appropriate communications measurement frameworks
• Act as the primary focal point for identified vendors, managing and optimising our use of research tools
• Bring best practice from the external marketplace / key industry leaders to drive strategic activities that enable horizon scanning of emerging risks and issues, a deeper understanding of our industry and competitor landscape, and enhanced use of data to improve reputation insight and decision making
• Work with other functions, such as Business Development, Government Relations, Employer Brand, Investor Relations and others, to identify opportunities to coordinate and share insights that help the Company understand and respond to stakeholder perceptions and expectations
• Think and act internationally, working with colleagues to embed measurement approaches and grow the use of data and insights across our markets
• Identify demand for analytics within the function and channel this into the Company’s Data Centre of Excellence, allowing us to better leverage internal data capability
• Support the Director of Strategic Communications with management of the budget for reputation research, insights and analytics
• Support a safe working environment and promote SHE initiatives

Your skills and experiences:

• Experience in the use of data and insights to plan communications and manage reputation, with an appreciation of the breadth of analytics techniques, quantitative and qualitative research, and how they can add value
• Good understanding of the Communications function’s role, principles, channels, responsibilities, and strategy
• High level of data interpretation and data story-telling skills
• Degree and/or relevant professional certificate or equivalent experience

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts. You may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Communications team:

You will be part of a supportive, collaborative and high-performing Communications function, within our Group team. Your role in the function will be to help maximise the effectiveness of BAE Systems’ communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation-building activities, through the strategic use of measurement, data and insights.

As the subject expert and primary point of contact for reputation measurement, insights and analytics, you will champion improved use of data and insight as a key driver of our Communications strategy and in line with broader business priorities – influencing, coaching and supporting colleagues across the function.

You will work closely with both the Head of Strategic Communications & Planning and the Strategic Communications Director to continue building out our strategic approach to insights and analytics and accelerating the technical competency of the function.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 13th May 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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