Community Engagement Manager

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking an experienced Community Engagement Manager to lead our efforts in building meaningful and lasting connections within the local and regional community in Somerset and the South West. This role will sit in the Corporate Communications function and will involve collaborative project planning and management, as well as coordination and engagement with community stakeholders, including local residents, local government, and business and community groups.

The position is based in Bridgewater and requires on‑site presence four days per week.

• Community outreach and relationship building:
  • Identify and engage with key community stakeholders to build and nurture strong and lasting relationships
  • Collaborate with team members, local residents, businesses / business groups, community groups, education providers, NGOs and government entities to deliver community outreach and initiatives
  • Be the first line of response to resolve issues of concern for community stakeholders, and build trust and confidence in our activities and approach
  • Manage resources and plans (including budgets) required to deliver communications and community engagement activities, including public exhibitions and community meetings
  • Ensure that community welfare is given meaningful consideration in all activities undertaken on behalf of the business and our delivery partners on site
• Event planning and execution:
  • Organise and execute community events, workshops, and initiatives to enhance the businesses profile and our relations with community stakeholders
  • Plan and support the delivery of an external events programme aligned with business strategy and objectives, making sure key internal stakeholders are engaged in the process
  • Address community needs through impactful and well‑coordinated community / CSR projects
• Community relations:
  • Act as a liaison between the business and the community, collecting and managing feedback, including through meaningful, compassionate and proactive engagement with local residents
  • Ensure positive interactions and address complaints and concerns promptly and professionally to build trust and enhance community relations
  • Management of the business’ community engagement inbox, ensuring timely responses and effective handling of all correspondence
• Communications:
  • Support the wider communications team with the implementation of internal and external communication strategies, events and initiatives, including promotion of the business’ involvement in community initiatives
  • Develop and maintain a forward‑looking register of all site activities, including for partner infrastructure development and delivery, to ensure a comprehensive cross‑functional engagement programme
  • Engage with community stakeholders to address concerns and maintain trust relating to emergency preparedness
  • Adhere to emergency response plans and processes to support effective and timely communication in the event of an incident
  • Work in collaboration with the wider communications team and on site leadership team to ensure the effective escalation and management of issues, including delivering timely updates in the event of emergencies
• Reporting and analysis:
  • Provide regular reports on community engagement activities to senior leadership and through internal communication channels
  • Assess the impact of initiatives and recommend adjustments based on stakeholder feedback and social impact metrics
• Cross‑functional collaboration:
  • Work closely with the wider Corporate Communications team, other departments and partner organisations to develop integrated engagement strategies
  • Foster a collaborative environment and working relationships with key internal team members in operations, HR, procurement, health and safety, and support the local team in producing high‑quality engagements and initiatives

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong leadership skills and team management to drive activity within the framework set for community engagement
• Proven experience in community engagement, stakeholder relations, public relations, or a related role
• Experience in creating written and…