Head of External Communications

Please note - on the application link the role title shows as External Communications Manager Global which is our internal title for this position.

Job description:

Since its creation in 2014, Harbour has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse independent oil and gas companies. Today, Harbour is producing between 475,000 and 485,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day with significant production in Norway, the UK, Germany, Argentina and North Africa. Harbour benefits from competitive operating costs and resilient margins, and a broad set of growth options including near-infrastructure opportunities in Norway, unconventional scalable opportunities in Argentina and conventional offshore projects in Mexico and Indonesia. With low GHG emissions intensity and a leading CO2 storage position in Europe, Harbour remains committed to producing oil and gas safely and responsibly to help meet the world’s energy needs. Harbour is headquartered in London with approximately 5,000 staff and contractors across its operations and offices.

Ours is an inclusive workplace where individuals can bring their whole selves to their job and feel recognised for the value they add. We are committed to creating a genuinely inclusive and supportive working environment to ensure everyone has a positive experience at work.

At Harbour Energy, we aim to recruit, retain and promote our people based on their unique skills, regardless of race, gender or background. We need excellent people to help shape and develop the future of our company. Could this be you?

If so, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of Role:

• Oversees corporate and BU external communications activity globally for Harbour Energy, managing the HQ external communications team
• Chief spokesperson for Harbour Energy, briefing the media, including UK and international correspondents, on the company’s position.
• Senior external communications adviser to the SVP Communications and the Leadership Team
• Leads the Communications emergency response team, which may require working at weekends and/or evenings from time to time

Critical Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that all activities are carried out in a safe manner complying with all regulatory requirements, legislation and Harbour Energy HSES Procedures

Ethics and Compliance Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all activities and behaviours are carried out in accordance with Harbour Energy’s Ethics and Compliance Policies and Procedures, and to complete any compulsory compliance training as required

Areas of Accountability, Responsibility and Competence:

• Chief spokesperson for Harbour Energy, briefing UK and international journalists on the company’s position
• Facilitates media briefings with members of the Leadership Team
• Leads on all news and external comms issues and content globally, advising senior stakeholders in the HQ corporate functions, the MDs and Lead Communicators in the UK and International Business Units
• Advises the SVP Communications, the Leadership Team and other corporate functions, such as the Investor Relations team, Legal and Global Government Relations team on the external comms content for corporate announcements
• Lead media adviser on financial and corporate announcements
• Oversees Harbour’s social media programme and content, driving engagement through the social channels
• Oversees the content for Harbour’s websites
• Line management responsibility for a team of four
• Manages/oversees the international PR agency and emergency response communications agency network
• Writes high quality external comms content for the Leadership Team, drafting blogs, opinion pieces and quotes
• Takes part in a 24/7 press office rota, acting as Harbour’s media spokesperson out of hours and at weekends
• Oversees the global media training programme and the emergency responses training for the Communications function
• Chairs the Communications function’s emergency response team, which may require out of hours/weekend working from time to time
• May be required to take part in a Crisis Management Team (CMT) rota as the CMT comms adviser
• Any other activities which the Company may reasonably require

Critical Skills Qualifications Experience, etc.:

• Relevant degree or NUJ qualification is essential.
• Significant media relations experience, leading external communications teams for high-profile listed global companies is essential.
• Proven global external communications experience, managing media relations and social media teams in multiple countries/regions is essential.
• Experience of managing round-table media briefings/press conferences in international regions.
• Proven financial communications experience, leading media activity for financial results, AGMs, launch of annual reports and other corporate announcements.
• Proven experience of briefing national UK and international publications on financial results.
• Proven experience of managing press office teams in large corporate environments, briefing journalists and preparing responses to questions.
• Strong broadcast media experience and media training experience.
• Proven crisis communications experience, working for a high-profile organisation, leading the external comms response and advising senior executives.
• Excellent writing skills and strong experience of producing content under pressure and in a corporate environment.
• Proven experience of producing corporate content for executive teams, for example, drafting announcements, blogs, scripts, media statements.
• Deep understanding and experience of running social media programmes in a corporate environment.
• Ability to judge the tone and appropriateness of external communications content.
• Ability to lead a team, with strong collaboration and influencing skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to changing situations.

Inclusive recruitment is a vital part of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. Whatever your background, if you feel you need an adjustment during our selection process to suit your needs, please let us know, and we will be happy to help.