Job title:Head of Communications

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

Salary: Up to £108,900 (depending on skills and experience)

What you’ll be doing:

• Operating as the Communications leader in a line of business – Maritime Services - with a circa £700m turnover; developing and delivering integrated communications strategies and providing advice and counsel to the Managing Director and Leadership team on presentational and reputational matters
• Developing and overseeing the execution of communications to support the Maritime Services portfolio, contributing to the development and amplification of wider Sector and Company agendas to protect and enhance our reputation in all markets
• Driving and overseeing strategic communications projects within the line of business, with particular focus on employee engagement and business partnering to enable effective operational delivery and promotion of our capability
• Managing relationships with relevant communications related external partners and internal stakeholders to advance our strategy
• Actively contributing as part of the Sector Communications leadership team to ensure coordination across teams and effective stakeholder management, especially with customer stakeholders where appropriate
• Supporting the delivery of effective business continuity and crisis management across the Sector

Your skills and experiences:

• An excellent communicator with degree and/or relevant professional certificate or equivalent experience
• Expert knowledge of core communications principles, techniques and skills
• Experience of delivering complex projects within budget and timescales
• Evidence of managing high-performing teams with creative solutions and tangible outcomes
• Experience of operating successfully in a major defence, manufacturing or project-based organisation
• Knowledge of the UK Defence agenda and understanding of the markets in which BAE Systems and its competitors operate
• History of making sound judgments of both factual and qualitative information drawn from a variety of sources
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and demonstrate a strong customer focus with the ability to build effective relationships
• Experience of project and budget management
• Experience of people management or leading small teams

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.

This role summed up:

We are seeking an experienced communications leader to head up the communications team within our Maritime Services business. Based in Portsmouth, Maritime Services provides the Royal Navy with engineering support, training and equipment, as well as delivering for many other international customers with some fantastic opportunities to grow.

The Head of Communications acts as the principal communications advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team of Maritime Services, delivering a business partnering service and leading and supporting the business’ communications activities, including community investment and employee engagement. Working closely with colleagues across BAE Systems’ Maritime and Land sector, you will be part of a team of talented communications professionals with expertise across the communications spectrum. From community projects, recruitment campaigns, and sustainability initiatives to campaigns designed to keep our colleagues safe, the role offers huge variety.

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the direction and future success of the Maritime Services business, to support BAE Systems’ wider corporate agenda, to make a real difference and to help serve and protect those who serve and protect us.

Why BAE Systems?

BAE Systems’ Maritime and Land sector provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 24,000 people across the UK, Australia and internationally. Working with customers and partners, we deliver products and services to deliver military capability that help to protect national security, critical information and infrastructure.

In an age of increasing change and uncertainty, where threats are escalating, fundamentals are shifting and technology is playing an even more important part in our lives, our role is critical in helping our customers and partners stay ahead as challenges and opportunities change.

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 working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.