Purpose of the Role

The Communications Manager leads our external communications activity, helping to build and protect our reputation through proactive storytelling, media relations, digital communications, brand and campaigns.

Working across the Corporate Communications team, the role connects corporate, site and community stories to the wider external narrative. This includes partnering closely with the Community Engagement Manager and site communications colleagues to support local PR, events and community activity, while identifying opportunities for those stories to reach regional, national and internal audiences.

External communications will be the role’s primary area of expertise, but the role will work across the full Corporate Communications agenda. Great stories rarely belong to a single channel, so the Manager will ensure external opportunities are considered for colleagues, social media, the website and other audiences.

The position is based in Oxford and requires travel to Somerset (regularly) and India (periodically).

Key Responsibility Areas

External communications and PR

• Develop and deliver the external communications and PR strategy aligned with business priorities.
• Build a proactive pipeline of corporate, technology, people, site, community and business stories.
• Build media relationships and manage enquiries, interviews and proactive engagement across national, trade, regional and local outlets.
• Lead media activity for major business and site milestones with relevant communications and business leads.
• Draft and oversee press releases, statements, briefings, Q&As and corporate content.
• Advise senior leaders and prepare spokespeople for external engagements.

Brand and storytelling

• Help shape and embed the brand strategy, ensuring communications reflect our brand, purpose and tone of voice.
• Tell compelling business, technology, people, community and progress stories.
• Turn stories into opportunities across audiences and channels with Corporate Communications colleagues.

Digital and social

• Set the strategic direction for corporate social media channels in support of reputation and business objectives.
• Oversee website content and communications-led development, keeping it engaging, relevant and current.
• Use insight and performance data to improve external content and channel strategy.

Site, community and regional communications

• Partner with the Community Engagement Manager and site communications colleagues on coordinated local and regional communications.
• Provide PR and media expertise for site activity, including milestones, community initiatives, partnerships, employment and skills stories.
• Support communications for community events, exhibitions and stakeholder activity, while the Community Engagement Manager leads relationships and engagement.
• Extend strong local stories through regional and national media, social, web, leadership and internal channels.
• Coordinate with the Somerset Communications Specialist and wider team to align site communications with the corporate narrative.
• Advise on local communications and reputational issues with relevant teams.

Campaigns and events

• Lead communications for key external events, announcements and corporate milestones.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and other teams on recruitment and employer-brand campaigns across paid social, print and other media.
• Manage agencies and suppliers, ensuring quality, value and alignment with communications objectives.

Issues and crisis communications

• Support crisis and issues communications planning and delivery.
• Provide clear advice during sensitive or fast-moving situations.
• Monitor the external environment for emerging reputational risks and opportunities.

One Corporate Communications team

• Work with Internal Communications, Brand, Digital and other colleagues to deliver joined-up communications.
• Consider the full communications opportunity behind every story across internal and external channels.
• Support wider Corporate Communications priorities, campaigns and projects.
• Manage, coach and develop the Communications Specialist, setting clear priorities and ownership.

Experience and Skills

• Strong experience in corporate or external communications, PR or a related communications role.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills across different formats and audiences.
• Strong media relations experience and sound editorial judgement.
• Experience managing digital and social channels and integrated communications campaigns.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and translating complex information into clear, engaging communications.
• Good judgement and the ability to operate calmly in issues or crisis situations.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to work beyond traditional external communications boundaries.

What you’ll get…

As a new company, our reward scheme is constantly evolving. We continue to review the market to deliver a competitive benefits package, which currently includes private healthcare, company bonus, enhanced parental leave policy and a cash allowance to boost your benefits. We are a flexible business that is committed to promoting work-life balance, partnering with Yulife to provide our team members with total wellbeing support.

You’ll work in a rapidly scaling-up environment as a subsidiary of the multinational corporation, Tata Sons, to help build the UK’s biggest battery manufacturing facility and make your mark in a new organisation.

Agratas is a place to be authentically you. At Agratas we strongly believe that people are at their best when they feel supported and happy in their workplace. To that end we continue to cultivate a diverse workforce which protects the individuality of each team member. We therefore warmly welcome applicants from any race, gender, sexuality, and ability. Should you have a preference in how your suitability is assessed for this role or require any reasonable adjustments please let the Talent Acquisition team know.