Project Communications Specialist

Why join us?

Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way.

The role - what’s involved?

2-year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension

Want to help shape how we communicate some of our fascinating and significant archaeological work? We’re looking for an experienced communications professional to join our team to take a leading role in designing and delivering communications for our high-profile infrastructure and commercial projects.

You’ll be working with our experts, from archaeologists to creative teams, as well as our clients and project stakeholders, across a diverse range of communications activities. With a remit for public relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation management, you will play a significant role in increasing the impact and forming positive perceptions of our project work.

You will have a keen eye for an archaeological story and identifying reputational issues and be able to develop considered, creative, audience-led communications campaigns. With strong verbal communication and copywriting skills, you will be adept at influencing key stakeholders and communicating in a way that appeals to our target audiences, making full use of the range of digital and traditional tools available to you.

Able to prioritise your workload, you will understand the importance of attention to detail yet also be able to develop and realise your creative ideas.

If you're motivated by having responsibility for shaping and delivering your own initiatives as well as contributing to broader project and organisational objectives, then this is the role for you!

Main responsibilities will include:

Fostering fruitful working relationships with project stakeholders and clients and developing communications plans in partnership with them.

Creating and maintaining comms plans and schedules to inform and manage communication activity.

Devising and implementing integrated communications and engagement campaigns, across PR, stakeholder engagement and digital comms.

Actively engaging the media, managing the press office function, organising press events and opportunities, and overseeing filming requests for specific projects.

Developing messaging and handling plans mindful of sensitivities around projects and carefully managing reputational issues.

Overseeing the planning and commissioning of project content and briefing and directing creative teams to develop content for a range of digital and traditional channels.

Liaising with project teams to source stories and assets and research and develop engaging yet authoritative content.

Analysing communications activity to produce actionable and meaningful insights, making effective use of analytics tools to inform project communications activity.

What can you look forward to?

Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair and inclusive working environment.

Flexible and hybrid working supported. The role-holder will need to be able to be able to attend regular site and in-person events/ meetings)

We offer:

22 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays rising to 27 after 5 years of continuous service.

Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.

Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 5%.

Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.

Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits:

Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.

Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.

5 days of carers leave.

Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.

Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.

Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.

AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.

Sustainability and other benefits:

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

Bike2Work scheme.

100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.

High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.

Free transport from regional offices to sites.

Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.

Subsistence allowance.

How to apply

Interested in working with us?

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by midnight on 14 January 2024 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk.

All candidates will be contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be held in late January. If you have questions about the role then please contact Nicola Kalimeris, Head of Communications at n.kalimeris@wessexarch.co.uk.

We encourage applications from people with disabilities. When you apply, please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to the recruitment process. Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.

Whilst Wessex Archaeology welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, it is essential that the successful candidate must by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.