Senior Communications and Reporting Consultant

The Senior Consultant will work on a range of reporting and communications projects with some of the world’s leading companies, helping them to articulate their strategies and equity story through digital and print media. Working closely with our Consultancy Directors for strategic and technical advice, the Senior Communications and Reporting Consultant will be driving the development of strategic relationships and consultancy work for clients – assessing needs, formulating strategies, defining, and realising deliverables. They will also work closely with all parts of the Black Sun business – helping to win new business, developing strategic roadmaps for clients, delivering projects on-time and to a high quality and contributing to Black Sun’s award-winning thought leadership and best practice consultancy

Some of the key responsibilities in this great role include:

Client work

  • To work with clients in developing their value creation story in a clear and meaningful way to their key stakeholders
  • To provide best practice strategic advice on corporate reporting and wider communication to clients and new business prospects, using your expertise and knowledge to drive debates and shape clients’ communications strategies
  • To lead opportunities presentations, interim assessments, peer analysis, benchmarking and content audits/guidelines, and ad hoc strategy work and presenting this work to clients
  • To conduct deep-dive research into the corporate communications of Black Sun clients to assess their current communications approach, content and overall effectiveness
  • To lead engaging client workshops, presentations and external events on best practice communication with a particular focus on topics such as strategy, ESG, corporate governance and relevant regulation
  • To help present Black Sun’s wider communications offer to existing Black Sun clients and demonstrate the value of developing an impactful communications framework and plan, beyond simply disclosing or reporting data and information

Team

  • To work closely with other consultants in the team to develop key processes, methodologies and best practice approaches
  • To provide guidance, education, support and expertise to junior members of the insight and knowledge teams as well as other internal teams as required, ensuring the account teams are well equipped to drive discussions with clients

Business development 

  • To help pitch for and win new business, with existing and new prospects as relevant

Research and thought leadership

  • To help develop and deliver Black Sun’s own insight and engagement research and benchmarking toolkit and methodologies
  • To contribute to the development of Black Sun’s impressive thought leadership and editorial productions


The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the job holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the role.
 

Reporting Relationships

Reporting to: Investor and ESG Communications Director

Work closely with: the Insight, Knowledge & Innovation, Client Account and Digital teams as well as specialised Consultants.

 

Qualifications, experience & skills:

The successful candidate will hold or have experience in/with:

  • Strong academics; Degree level qualification or above
  • A minimum of 3+ years' experience working in roles such as:
    • At a corporate level with specific knowledge in reporting and communications
    • In an ESG function with strong knowledge of best practice ESG communication including ratings and indices
    • In a corporate reporting consultancy function such as an auditor or communications agency
    • In a corporate secretariat function
  • Demonstrable experience in best practice reporting
  • Knowledge of relevant regulation and legislation including the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Guidance on the Strategic Report and the UK Stewardship Code
  • Knowledge of initiatives such as the Principles for Responsible Investment, the Sustainable Development Goals, Integrated Reporting, and SASB would be preferable
  • Proven, strong writing skills are essential
  • Skilled at approaching, engaging and delivering client projects, working with internal and external partners as appropriate
  • Fully conversant with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

 

Your personal qualities:

  • Strong interpersonal and communications skills necessary to build trust and respect both externally and internally;
  • High-quality service ethic and commitment to customer service excellence;
  • Ambition to self improve;
  • Ability to manage many urgent and often conflicting priorities;
  • Strong ‘can do’ attitude with an innate ability to take the initiative and work by yourself as well as in a team;
  • Flexibility and team-focused, non-hierarchical approach with a ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude to getting the job done; and
  • A great sense of humour and fun!

 

About Us!

So, a little about us and what we do – Black Sun is a leading international stakeholder communications company. We are headquartered in the glorious Fulham Palace, and we also have an office in Singapore. Our goal is to transform the way companies engage and communicate with their stakeholders. We are on a mission to help companies tell the story of how they create value for the people that matter to them: investors, employees, customers, and society.

However, we are only ever as good as the people we employ, and that is why we have a Talent team dedicated to attracting, developing and growing some of the best minds in the industry. We pride ourselves on ensuring our people get plenty of opportunities to learn and grow and regularly consult with them to hear how best to achieve that goal.

If you ask anyone around here what they like most about working at Black Sun, the answer you will hear most often is the people. We are a team of talented, friendly and diverse people driven by shared values and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in business. Not only can you create a long-term career with us, but odds are, you will make a few great friends along the way.

Sometimes it can be challenging but also very fulfilling work at Black Sun with a real chance to make a difference. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from blue-chip clients from all over the world – such as Adecco, Burberry, Coca Cola HBC, Diageo, Direct Line Group, Rio Tinto and Tesco. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who buys into what we do and shares our ambitions and values.

PS - Don’t forget to check out our Careers Site for more information about what it’s like to work at Black Sun!

And whilst we love our jobs, we also like to have some fun along the way. We have a continuous social programme throughout the year, either virtually or in person! But don’t take our word for it; come and see for yourself!

 

Our new Hybrid way of working
Over the last 12 months, the way in which we work has changed. We surveyed and engaged with our staff to learn about what Black Sun’s future of work looks like, and thanks to everyone’s positive engagement and feedback, we developed a hybrid way of working, governed by three fundamental principles: Colleague, Client and Culture. This means that however you decide to deliver work, you should protect all of these 3 C’s. After a period of onboarding, employees have the ability to work from home, office and, where applicable, on-site with clients. The number of days is dependent on teams, role, time of year and deliverables.

 

Our COVID-19 Statement

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, it has very much been business as usual here at Black Sun. Responding quickly and investing strategically, we can assure you that we are fully operational and prepared for the future in a safe operating environment.

 

A Responsible Business

Responsibility is critical to our success, and the well-being of our people is integral to everything we do. We continue to manage this resource responsibly. The health of our people has been our number one priority over this period. In line with the prevailing Government guidelines and risks assessments, we have developed comprehensive COVID-19 safety policies to protect and support our staff during these challenging times. We also have regular employee communications, daily team check-ins and virtual company forums, and Q&A sessions with the CEO and ongoing surveys with all our employees.

 

Business Continuity Planning (BCP)

Black Sun has very effective business continuity plans which we have implemented that have enabled us to continue to operate effectively since the outbreak of COVID-19. These plans are continually reviewed at weekly BCP meetings chaired by the Group CEO and updated where necessary.

 

In addition to a competitive salary based on skills and experience, as an employee at Black Sun, you will have access to a range of great benefits and perks, including:

Holidays

Upon joining, you’ll be eligible for 25 days holiday per year (pro-rated if you join mid-year). Two additional discretionary ‘bonus’ days are awarded for long service, up to a maximum of 27 days’ holiday.

Bonus Scheme

We operate an annual bonus scheme for all our employees to enable everyone to share our success when the company achieves its financial targets.

Personal Development Opportunities

We believe that the more successful we are in developing our people, the more rewarding and successful our business will become. As an employee, you’ll have access to an extensive suite of training through our ‘Full Circle Talent Development Programme’ to help you develop the skills to progress your career and be successful in your role.

Group Life Assurance

On joining Black Sun, you will be insured under our Group Life Assurance Scheme.

Group Personal Pension Plan

After three months at Black Sun, you will be enrolled on the company’s group personal pension scheme. The company will contribute 3% of salary to the pension scheme, and you will need to contribute a minimum of 5%.

Employee Assistance Programme

You and your family will have access to a confidential 24/7 helpline, providing you with a range of services, including bereavement counselling, financial/debt management, family and childcare advice.

Payroll Giving

Black Sun operates a Payroll Giving scheme, enabling you to donate through your payroll to any charity or voluntary organisation within the UK. The donation is made from your gross pay, enabling the charity to benefit from Gift Aid.


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