Communications Manager

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
This is an exciting time for a Communications Manager to join our growing Communications team at AWE.
AWE is entering a new era as we deliver critical programmes to support national security. We’re looking for someone to join our communications team and help tell the story of our unique mission to keep the country safe.
Location: We are based in Berkshire between Reading, Basingstoke and Newbury with onsite parking.
Salary: Starting at £37,000. This is very much open to negotiation if you have the experience and talent we are looking for.
What’s exciting?
We are about to embark on a project which will see exciting changes to our organisation to ensure that we are able to deliver our vital mission to keep our nation safe.
Some of the key activities you will undertake as a Communications Manager are, but not limited to:

• Developing, creating, maintaining, and delivering engaging and timely content using a wide range of techniques and channels to reinforce the company brand and culture, our mission, purpose, strategy, and goals
• Applying knowledge of stakeholders to draft relevant messages and content that achieve communications, project, and campaign objectives
• Enhancing draft written or visual materials ensuring content is targeted and dynamic by seeking out, or creating, new copy, imagery, audio and video materials to support the narrative/storytelling
• Applying communications skills to convey difficult messages in a simple manner
• Proactively seeking out stories and case studies to support the narrative/storytelling and achieve the communications objectives
• Applying project management skills to support the successful delivery of campaigns, projects, and communications activities

Whilst not to be considered a check list, we would like you to demonstrate some of the following:

• Copywriting experience with a focus on engaging storytelling

• Digital and social media skills and experience
• A strong communications background, potentially with some experience working with press and media
• A “can-do” spirit and a drive to get involved with a range of different exciting projects
• Well organised with excellent time management skills
• The ability to enjoy a challenge, working in a dynamic environment and on multiple projects
• Experience with managing communications or social media crisis
• Knowledge and understanding of producing copy for social media and asset creation

AWE has been voted one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK. As part of our People Promise, we have a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contrition)
• Death in service benefit
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing.

You can find out more about our benefits HERE
Some things you need to know:

• The advert will close on:
• Interviews will be on TEAMS (90 minutes) in early October with a ten-minute presentation. There will also be a pre-interview skills test.
• You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (funded by us) in order to start with us in this role. It can take several months for clearance to come through.
• This job role is suitable for hybrid, flexible working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice.
• This role does require some attendance for meetings on site as required at RG7 4PR along with occasional travel to our other sites, if required.
• The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Please reach out to me if you need further information about the role or the recruitment journey at:
[email protected]
(Sorry agencies - this is being managed by our internal recruitment team.)
#LI-SM
AWE Job Ref R21953: Communications Specialist, Grade B2.
Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.