Senior External Communications Advisor

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:

• Day to day management of news issues and corporate external communications content globally
• Leads on all news, advising the corporate functions, UK and international business units (BUs) on media and social media handling
• Senior spokesperson for Harbour Energy, briefing the media, including UK and international correspondents, on the company’s position
• Leads on CCS external communications, advising the CCS teams about the media and social media strategy
• Writes, edits and approves content such as press releases, statements, announcements, presentations and blogs and authorises content for third parties
• Plays a senior role in the Communications emergency response procedures, 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:

• Senior spokesperson for Harbour Energy, briefing UK and international journalists on the company’s position
• Leads on news issues globally, coordinating announcements, issues and statements
• Senior media adviser to senior stakeholders across the business, advising on emerging issues
• Deputises for the Senior Manager Global External Communications
• Advises and oversees external communications content for international activities/issues, advising the BU communications leads/teams
• Produces high quality external comms content for the Leadership Team, drafting blogs, opinion pieces and quotes
• Lead external communications adviser to the CCS teams, developing the external comms position and advising on the media and social media plans for Harbour’s CCS projects
• Takes part in a 24/7 press office rota, acting as Harbour’s media spokesperson out of hours and at weekends
• Produces external comms content for corporate announcements, working closely with Investor Relations, the Global Government Relations team, legal and third parties as required
• Manages the global media training programme, ensuring that EVPs, BU MDs and their senior teams are trained and able to speak confidently on TV/radio
• Supports the Global Government relations team with external engagement events, which may involve organising, working with industry and preparing content
• Develops and manages Harbour’s crisis communications procedures, working with the UK and international business units and the emergency response teams
• Plays a senior role in the Communications function’s emergency response procedures, which may require out of hours/weekend working from time to time
• Any other activities which the Company may reasonably require

Critical Skills, Qualifications, Experience, etc.:

• Relevant degree or NUJ qualification is essential
• Substantial media relations experience, acting as a senior spokesperson for a high-profile organisation, briefing national UK and/or international journalists. Experience working as a media spokesperson in a listed company is essential. International media experience is preferred
• Strong broadcast media experience and media training experience
• Strong press office experience, briefing journalists and preparing responses to questions
• Proven crisis communications experience, working for a high-profile organisation, reacting to breaking news stories and incidents and advising senior executives
• Excellent writing skills and strong experience of producing content under pressure and in a corporate environment
• Substantial experience of producing external content and working on announcements in a large corporate company, working closely with Investor Relations and Legal teams
• Proven experience of producing corporate content for executive teams, for example, drafting announcements, blogs, scripts, media statements
• Deep understanding and experience of using different social media channels, in particular LinkedIn and Twitter
• Ability to judge the tone and appropriateness of external communications content
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, with strong collaboration and influencing skills
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to changing situations
• Experience working closely with Government Affairs, Investor Relations and internal Communications teams

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.