Community Relations and Stakeholder Officer

Costain have won extensive work across the water sector to support the AMP8 investment cycle

We are working with United Utilities as one of 7 partners to the Enterprise, delivering a portfolio of 30-40 infrastructure projects in the Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) between 2025 – 2030, and AMP 9 (2030 – 2035). Our scope is to provide project management, design, construction and commissioning services on design and build schemes throughout the Northwest and Cumbria region covered by United Utilities. Projects vary in value, covering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets on water and wastewater sites with wider Enterprise partners.

Our Windermere programme is here to deliver the largest and most complex of these projects to ultimately help UU customers save water and save money.

Reporting to the Senior Community Relations and Stakeholder Manager and working closely with Project Managers on allocated schemes, the Community Relations and Stakeholder Officer will be responsible for co-ordinating the relationship between the project and external and internal stakeholders, including members of the public and the local community affected by the construction scheme, the client, and any additional interested parties.

This role will be based in the Windermere region and is a full-time role.

Customer / Stakeholder

• Attend project meetings and wider framework meetings, providing input and support
• Help to develop and deliver communications / stakeholder engagement plans
• Establish and develop effective stakeholder relationships both internally and externally
• Assist with client communications including the preparation of public consultation material and other customer literature
• Ongoing proactive customer communication, responding to enquiries and complaints within regulated response timeframes
• Arrange or attend exhibitions, drop-in sessions and meetings (online and in-person)
• Manage dissemination of relevant up to date information between project delivery teams and client / external parties.
• Liaise with local authorities and other statutory stakeholders (including land agents, local highways authorities, councillors and governing bodies)
• Ensure site is set up in accordance with branding guidelines and undertake site audits to ensure correct signage is installed and relevant information is displayed
• Maintain project trackers, maintain engagement plans and log all interactions with customers and stakeholders
• Production of information sheets and internal team communication
• Contribute to production and submission of Key Performance Indicators and reports

Social Value

• Assist with the development and delivery of site social value plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with local organisations, including charities, schools and VCEs
• Organise volunteering days, STEM visits, work experience placements & other associated social value activities.
• Assist with the reporting of social value data to the client and Costain Group.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in community engagement, stakeholder management, public affairs, communications or a similar role
• Experience of working on projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Good understanding of stakeholder engagement principles and community relations
• Experience developing and implementing stakeholder engagement and community liaison plans
• Experience managing sensitive or challenging stakeholder issues and resolving conflicts effectively
• Experience engaging with local authorities, councillors, MPs, community groups, residents, businesses, landowners and statutory organisations
• Experience supporting consultation, public information events, community meetings and stakeholder briefings
• Ability to work collaboratively with project, construction, engineering, environmental, communications and commercial teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Experience working within AMP8 or a regulated water environment.
• Knowledge of the UK water industry and the challenges associated with delivering water and wastewater infrastructure
• Experience of working alongside water companies, Tier 1 contractors or major infrastructure delivery partners
• Experience managing stakeholder requirements across multiple projects or geographical areas
• Understanding of environmental, planning, highways and statutory requirements associated with infrastructure delivery
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as CIPR, IEMA or CIWEM

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