Graduate Communication and Engagement Consultant Birmingham 2022

About the opportunity

This is an exciting time to join Arup as we invest in our rapidly growing stakeholder engagement and communications service offer. We work closely with clients to understand the communications and engagement challenges and provide creative, robust solutions to support the delivery of complex projects across the built environment. ​

With long-standing experience in this sector, we offer our clients a broad spectrum of consulting services including, but not limited to, the following:

• Strategic communications and public relations advice for infrastructure schemes and major events;
• Stakeholder engagement and management of the development consultation process;
• Strategic advice on stakeholder expectations of proposals and project messaging plans;
• Support planning applications through the decision-making and post-decision processes; and
• Construction communication with impacted communities.

Our communication and engagement experts work side by side with specialists from a wide range of backgrounds, including town planning, environmental, transport planning, and civil and building engineering. We work on projects of regional and national significance across the built environment sector. We work hard to foster good relationships with stakeholders and communities in the development process – including national governments, regional partnerships or agencies, local planning authorities as well as the wider community.

Joining our Midlands office, you’ll work alongside a team of values-based accredited professionals and trusted advisors in the field.

From your first day, you'll join a community of experts, where everyone is supported in their career path and encouraged to work towards an accredited qualification. You'll help us to deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high-profile clients both nationally and globally.

We have five principles that guide us, underpin the strategic approaches we take in communications and engagement, the decisions we make, and our contacts with stakeholders: ​

​Collaborative: we build, support, and encourage collaboration across partnerships to solve complex issues;

Integrity: we always hold ourselves and others to account, maintain a consistent and accurate representation of the project.;

Transparency: we are clear, consistent, accurate, and transparent in communications;

Fairness: we treat stakeholder groups fairly and respectfully – look to find mutual value in projects;

Inclusive: we use various communications channels to suit different stakeholder groups and use appropriate language and methods for different audiences – while keeping consistent messages.

You will join our Stakeholder Engagement and Communications team, which is part of the wider Planning, Policy, and Economics team in the Midlands.

The Role

• Producing high-quality communications collateral including; consultation and engagement materials, presentations, reports, press releases, and social media posts;
• Working alongside multiple technical disciplines and a broad range of public and private sector client projects;  
• Supporting the team to deliver public consultations across a range of planning regimes; representing projects at public and stakeholder events, analysing feedback and writing reports;
• Supporting event management and logistics (some evening and weekend work may be required);
• Supporting the production of robust engagement and communications strategies;
• Monitoring and responding to correspondence from a wide variety of stakeholders and through various channels; and
• Organising, attending and recording meetings with a range of stakeholders.

What are we looking for?

• A degree or equivalent qualification in communications, public relations, media or development professional degrees such as town planning or similar discipline;
• A commitment to continuous professional development with an aspiration to become Chartered or equivalent.
• Experience in working in development work either in planning phases or building phases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to write content for multiple channels tailored to meet the needs of different audiences;
• Ability to organise and manage own time and commitments when working across multiple projects and for a range of clients;
• The ability to work as part of a team and collaborate to solve complex issues;
• Good knowledge and keen interest in digital communications and engagement tools;
• An enthusiasm in helping to shape the built environment and sustainable design;
• A good grasp of current affairs – the political environment and issues affecting the built environment, including major infrastructure and regeneration schemes

Rewards and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary at all levels, and one of the best benefits packages in our sector.

Core benefits include cover under the UK Healthcare Plan (private medical insurance), Life Assurance, Accident Insurance, and Income Protection (long term disability) cover. Core benefits are funded by us and made available to all permanent staff in order to support and safeguard your financial, physical, and mental wellbeing. You will also have access to Choice Benefits to help with your work/life balance and financial security.
 
In addition, all permanent employees are eligible for the Global Profit Share scheme. Subject to scheme rules employees can receive two Profit Share payments per year, which are dependent on the firm’s financial performance.

Different people, shared values

At Arup we believe when talented people collaborate, great things are possible. Arup hires people with proven skills and open minds. We are taking deliberate action to create an inclusive culture that is grounded in our purpose to shape a better world. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all backgrounds. 
At Arup we are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please speak to our recruitment team and we will work with you to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you can perform at your best. 
At Arup we appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different and having the freedom to flex the way we work is essential to our wellbeing. If flexibility matters to you let us know when you apply and we will discuss how this could work in your role.

What happens next?

If this could be the next step in your journey, please apply online. All applications will be considered, and we will try our very best to respond to you within 72 hours of receiving your application.

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