📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Stakeholder and Communications Specialist
🔹 Company: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
🔹 Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid - 50/50)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Research Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-07
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Option to work from Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Acting as a central point of contact between partners and stakeholders
- Creating, delivering, and evaluating stakeholder engagement plans
- Building lasting relationships with high-profile partners
- Ensuring clear and effective communication throughout the consortium
- Supporting the delivery of programme objectives through stakeholder engagement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills to manage multiple stakeholders with diverse priorities and working styles.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Create, deliver, and evaluate stakeholder engagement plans to support programme objectives
✅ Work with teams across the project to map stakeholders and coordinate stakeholder engagement
✅ Create content to engage diverse audiences and share it via various channels
✅ Identify suitable events to engage stakeholders and plan the organisation's presence at these events
✅ Work with internal communications to ensure UKCEH staff are appropriately informed and engaged with the project
✅ Report on communications and engagement to programme funders and evaluate activities
✅ Work with UKCEH's Central Comms team to help raise the profile of the project
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a proactive, creative, and collaborative approach to problem-solving and the ability to work effectively within a small but established and growing team.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Relevant degree or professional qualification in communications, or equivalent practical experience
Experience: Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and delivering integrated communications strategies
Required Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Proactive, creative, and collaborative approach to problem-solving
- Ability to work effectively within a small team
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with tracking engagement data, generating insights, or using CRM tools
- Public sector experience or a background in research environments
- Experience in planning and managing events
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a background in environmental science or research would be beneficial but not essential for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £46,507 - £49,353 per year
Benefits:
- 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
- 10% employer pension contribution
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Peer reward and recognition scheme
- Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- 24-hour, 365-day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing and is an estimate for this role and experience level in the United Kingdom.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Research Services, focusing on environmental science and ecology
Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees)
Founded: 2019 (as UKCEH, but the organisation has a history dating back over 60 years)
Company Description:
- UKCEH is a world-leading independent research institute carrying out excellent environmental science with impact
- The organisation delivers data and insights to academics, governments, and businesses to solve urgent environmental challenges
- UKCEH is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive
Company Specialties:
- Science
- Environmental Science
- Ecology
- Hydrology
- Nature-based solutions
- Biodiversity
- Healthy soils
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Clean Air
- Ecosystem restoration
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
- Flood and drought impacts
- Chemical risks
- Air quality
- Water quality and resources
- Citizen science
- Data science
- Invasive Non-Native Species
Company Website: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/
ASSUMPTION: UKCEH is a leading organisation in its field, with a strong focus on environmental research and a commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Senior Communications and Engagement Manager
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (50/50), with the option to work from any of the following sites: Wallingford, Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to transition to supporting broader UKCEH initiatives after the first two years
- Opportunities to develop expertise within a large-scale project and leading scientific research environment
- Possibility to grow within the Communications and Engagement team or explore other roles within UKCEH
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and collaborative team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (50/50), with the option to work from any of the following sites: Wallingford, Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster
Office Location(s): Wallingford, Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster
Geographic Context:
- Wallingford is located in Oxfordshire, with easy access to London and other major cities
- Bangor is situated in Gwynedd, North Wales, with a coastal location and nearby mountains
- Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, offering a vibrant cultural scene and historic architecture
- Lancaster is a city in Lancashire, England, with a rich history and a scenic location on the Lancaster Canal
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a good balance between working from home and collaborating with colleagues in the office.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Senior Communications and Engagement Manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Understanding of stakeholder engagement and communications strategies
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of stakeholder engagement and communications strategies
- Showcase your ability to work effectively within a team and manage multiple stakeholders
- Prepare examples of your previous work that showcase your skills and accomplishments
ATS Keywords: Stakeholder engagement, communications strategies, written communication, verbal communication, interpersonal skills, relationship building, problem-solving, event planning, data tracking, CRM tools
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary, and it is essential to follow the instructions provided on the UKCEH careers portal.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the project and the team's preferences.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in environmental science
- Impact and relevance
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Inclusivity and diversity
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Focus on delivering high-quality work and achieving results
- Flexible and adaptable to change
- Open and transparent communication
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage multiple stakeholders with conflicting priorities?
- How do you stay organised and manage your time effectively in a dynamic work environment?
ASSUMPTION: UKCEH values a strong cultural fit with their organisation, and applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with the company's values and work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple stakeholders with diverse priorities and working styles
- Working within a complex, multi-partner initiative
- Balancing the need for clear and effective communication with the demands of a hybrid work arrangement
- Adapting to the unique requirements of a research environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, as well as a proactive and collaborative approach to problem-solving.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from related positions in its focus on stakeholder engagement within a research environment
- Industry-specific context: Environmental research and ecology
- Career path comparison: Potential for growth within the Communications and Engagement team or exploration of other roles within UKCEH
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise within a large-scale project and leading scientific research environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a stakeholder engagement plan for a major science programme
- Creating content to engage diverse audiences, including researchers, government departments, and business sectors
- Planning and executing events to engage stakeholders with major science programmes
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide a glimpse into the types of tasks and responsibilities the Stakeholder and Communications Specialist may encounter in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader communications and engagement strategy for UKCEH?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the organisation?
- How does UKCEH support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the team structure and dynamic within the Communications and Engagement team?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the organisation, enabling them to make an informed decision about their application.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare examples of your previous work that showcase your skills and accomplishments
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
