Head of Communications and Community Engagement

STEP Fusion; Retford; On-site; GBP 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A government-backed organization in the UK seeks a Head of Communications and Community Engagement. This senior leadership role involves developing strategies to enhance the organization’s public image and stakeholder relations while managing a team and budget. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and community relations, with a bachelor's degree in a related field. A supportive environment focused on diversity and inclusion is emphasized, alongside excellent benefits including a pension scheme.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave allowance

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading mentoring teams.
• Experience working in complex environments.
• Proven relationship builder with executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications strategies for UKIFS and STEP.
• Identify and manage social media presence.
• Maintain branding consistency across channels.

Skills

Extensive experience in communications

Stakeholder engagement

Community relations

Excellent communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Job description

Head of Communications and Community Engagement – UKIFS

• Full-time
• Salary: £83,421 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: UKIFS - People and Operations
• Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire
• Confirmed Grade: Level 7
• Department: UKIFS - Operations

Company Description:

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey.

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

The closing date for this advert is the 24th of February.

Employees of UKIFS are based at either of our sites: West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

Salary for this role is £83,421 and onsite working is expected for 3‑4 days a week.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference on a global scale? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy as Head of Communications and Community Engagement – a senior leadership role at the heart of the UKIFS organisation. This role brings substantial influence and presence across all levels of the organisation to develop and deploy strategies that build and strengthen UKIFS and the STEP programme’s reputation to effectively manage and deliver this significant endeavour on behalf of the government.

We operate in an energising, complex, and mission‑driven environment, where you will be leading the development and continuance of excellent stakeholder relationships, including, but not exclusive to, across Government including our parent Department (DESNZ) and Cabinet Office, our integrated delivery team alliance comprised of industry partners including UKAEA as our Fusion Partner, the wider fusion community in the UK and internationally, and our local communities and development organisations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and delivery of internal and external communications strategies for UKIFS and STEP, adapting to evolving program needs.
• Design, plan, and execute external engagements, coordinating closely with UKAEA group communications to ensure alignment.
• Identify new communication and engagement channels, leveraging digital media to boost brand visibility and public perception.
• Manage strategic oversight of social media presence and act as spokesperson, enhancing media coverage and community relations.
• Oversee branding consistency across all touchpoints, manage a ~£1m budget, and mentor a communications team to achieve high performance.
• Champion organisational culture and values, fostering a positive, inclusive team environment, and making decisions aligned with ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in communications, stakeholder engagement and community relations.
• A bachelor’s degree in communications or an equivalent qualification in a related field.
• Extensive experience of leading, mentoring, and coaching teams to achieve high quality delivery.
• Demonstrable experience of working in complex, matrixed, programmatic environment.
• Demonstrable understanding of government structures and the role of national, regional, and local government in a project like STEP.
• Experience of fiscal management and reporting.
• Proven relationship builder with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience as trusted advisor at CEO, Director, and executive team level.
• Proficiency in producing board‑level papers and proposals.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Ability to act as an ambassador for the programme.
• Strategic, creative and innovative thinker.

Beneficial Requirements

• Previous experience of working on significant infrastructure projects.

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.