External Engagement Lead

BDUK has a clear mission: to ensure that homes and businesses across the UK can access fast and reliable digital connectivity. We are helping to build the digital infrastructure that will underpin the UK’s growth over the coming decades. Your role is to manage Project Gigabit supplier communications activities and ensure they are kept up to date with BDUK communications and expectations.
This role sits at the heart of the Engagement and Public Information Team and is integral to delivering a quality service to key stakeholders as well as working closely with functions across BDUK.
The role will support BDUK in informing and advising these stakeholders who are crucial to BDUK successfully delivering Project Gigabit - the government’s £5 billion investment in connecting hard to reach communities to gigabit speeds.
We are looking for an experienced and dynamic individual to lead overall strategic communications with industry stakeholders including our suppliers, optimising BDUK’s communications and engagement deliverables.
The role manages an External Engagement Manager who will support the delivery of Project Gigabit supplier communications.
The Engagement and Public Information Team provides specialist expertise, strategic direction and delivery to BDUK to ensure internal comms, stakeholder engagement, marketing, public relations, public queries, PQs, and digital activity are aligned to and support programme delivery and wider government objectives., + Develop and manage strategic communications to increase suppliers understanding of BDUK and our programmes, and support suppliers’ delivery of Project Gigabit
+ Create a range of products and delivery mechanisms to support suppliers at a regional and local level, for example stakeholder engagement strategies, along with plans, schedules, messages and assets to support suppliers' broadband rollout under Project Gigabit
+ Coordinate and approve suppliers' marketing and communications assets and plans
+ Support BDUK teams with their supplier engagement, including working closely with supplier relationship managers and local delivery leads, to create a two-way flow of intelligence to maximise the impact of suppliers’ communications and engagement
+ Lead and manage correspondence from suppliers, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Working Together, + A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) your Supporting Statement should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.
+ 250 words on the following Behaviours; Communicating and Influencing and Managing a Quality Service, and Working Together.
Part of the application process will require you to complete a diversity questionnaire. You will have the option to select ‘prefer not to say’ but this information is very
important to the Civil Service.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with:bdukrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within 48 hours, please contact the above email address.
For the shortlist, applications will be reviewed by a panel who will look at the Skills and Experience provided in the submitted CVs and Supporting Statements. Please note, your application must provide evidence of the skills & experience outlined in the key criteria to be progressed to the next stage.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
First Stage Interview/Assessment
Candidates successful at the review stage may be invited to attend a first stage interview/assessment.
During the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide further evidence of their skills and experience. Interviews may also include a presentation exercise. The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Strengths.
The following behaviours will be tested at application and interview: Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service and Working Together.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
Interviews will take place remotely via Google Hangout video call. Successful applicants will join the department through our remote onboarding process.
Further Information
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

+ Experience working in a similar stakeholder engagement role
+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong and effective organisational and interpersonal skills
+ Good communication skills with the ability to influence a range of stakeholders
+ Able to demonstrate a proactive mindset
+ Adept at problem solving
+ Able to work at pace
Desirable criteria
+ Career background in the Civil Service leading stakeholder engagement
+ Experience of leading and developing team to high standards of performance, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Alongside your salary of £52,320, Building Digital UK (BDUK) contributes £14,126 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%