Senior Communications Advisor FCAS

Job title: Senior Communications Advisor

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

Salary: £54,793 – £60,326 (Depending on skills and experience)

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting all aspects of the Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) external communications campaign, including actively seeking out stories and developing engaging content (e.g. news releases, editorial, etc.), media relations, press conferences and exhibitions
• Monitoring media coverage and effectiveness of external communications, and preparing reports
• Building strong media relationships with UK and overseas media
• Supporting reputation management activities
• Building and maintaining good working relationships with colleagues and partners in the UK and globally
• Providing support to the wider communications team in the development of evergreen content for use on our digital and social media platforms and channels, and supporting the creation of FCAS content for use across digital and social channels
• Supporting other communications activities from time to time as requested by External Communications Director
• The role will require some UK domestic and occasional international travel

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• A recognised PR or journalism or equivalent qualification (e.g. CIPR, CIM) and a level of education within communications related discipline or considerable work experience in an appropriate role
• Have media relations or journalist experience, and show evidence of delivering successful media coverage and maximising share of voice
• Have strong journalist relationships both in the UK and internationally
• Good communication and diplomacy skills (including verbal and written communications skills) with effective communication and collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Be a self-starter and a strong team-player, able to work effectively with a range of stakeholders to deliver successful media coverage
• Understand core principles and techniques of media relations and campaign communications
• Creative and able to devise content that delivers positive impact
• Ability to work to deadlines and achieve targets

Desirable:

• Experience of working in large, complex organisations with a broad range of stakeholders and be able to influence people at different levels

Benefits:

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Air Sector Communications Team:

The Air Sector Communications Team plays a vital role in promoting and protecting the reputation of the BAE Systems’ Air Sector. Within this dynamic team, the External Communications team focuses on delivering high-impact external communications strategies, working closely with media outlets, international partners, and business development teams.

This role, supporting the external communications activities for the Future Combat Air Systems programme, includes media relations, thought-leaderships, exhibitions and VIP visits and will work closely with a range of internal and external colleagues including the wider Air Sector Communications Team, Business Development, and international colleagues and partners, to manage the reputation of the FCAS programme and promote the company’s position.

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: 7th February 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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