Interim Head of Stakeholder Relationship

Overall purpose of the role: The Interim Head of Stakeholder Relationships will provides strategic leadership in the positioning of Ofwat and the dynamic, on-going engagement with its key stakeholders both externally and internally so that they understand who we are, what we stand for, what we do and how they can take action to support us.

He/she ensures the overall coherence of our brand and positioning in our different areas of activity.

The Interim Head of Stakeholder Relationships will works in close partnership with all members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and realise opportunities to promote our work and influence policy makers while also protecting our reputation where necessary. Although the role will be located in the Corporate Communications resource pool, the post holder with need the professional expertise, gravitas, authority and inter-personal skills to establish rapidly effective operations at a senior level across the organisation.

Reporting to the Interim Director of Corporate Communications, the post will work closely with the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

Primary Duties: The primary duties of the post holder will be:

• To establish an effective operational approach to managing the most important stakeholder relationships in the run up to the new Price Cap Review (mid 2017), as part of the over-arching Communications Strategy.

• To identify and chart the most important stakeholder groups - and individuals within those groups- for the coming 12 months and establish a method of managing them.

• To establish a means of tracking the value and quality of key relationships

• To advise the Chairman , Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team on speaking platforms and other engagement opportunities; to establish a consistent means of briefing and preparation for those opportunities and to ensure messaging is co-ordinated and effectively delivered in support of Ofwat's strategic goals.

• To be able to draw on an effective, up to date and practical knowledge of the workings of Government and The Westminster Parliament - together with a network of valuable contacts.

Key responsibilities: • To shape the positioning and presentation of Ofwat across Government and the water sector, in ways that are consistent and coherent, in partnership with SLT, so that the brand is better understood and engaged with by all relevant stakeholders. • To lead the development of effective advocacy strategies that maximise our impact on policy and decision-makers. • To ensure a comprehensive and fully engaged external communications strategy is in place to support are interactions with stakeholders. • To lead the Ofwat reputation management, ensuring prompt, effective response to issues that risk negative media and social media scrutiny. • Contribute effectively to the Wider Leadership Team.

Additional information: For further information, please contact: procurement@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk