Location
Windermere, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Costain has secured extensive work across the water sector to support the AMP8 investment cycle. Working with United Utilities as one of seven partners to the Enterprise, we are delivering a portfolio of 30-40 infrastructure projects during AMP8 (2025–2030) and AMP9 (2030–2035). Our scope includes project management, design, construction, and commissioning services on design and build schemes throughout the Northwest and Cumbria region covered by United Utilities. Projects vary in value and cover both infrastructure and non-infrastructure assets on water and wastewater sites alongside wider Enterprise partners. The Windermere programme focuses on delivering the largest and most complex projects to help United Utilities customers save water and money.

Reporting to the Senior Community Relations and Stakeholder Manager and working closely with Project Managers on allocated schemes, the Community Relations and Stakeholder Officer will coordinate relationships between the project and external and internal stakeholders. This includes members of the public, the local community affected by construction, the client, and other interested parties. This is a full-time role based in the Windermere region.

Key responsibilities include attending project and framework meetings to provide input and support, developing and delivering communications and stakeholder engagement plans, establishing effective stakeholder relationships internally and externally, assisting with client communications and public consultation materials, and managing proactive customer communication including enquiries and complaints within regulated timeframes. The role also involves organising exhibitions, drop-in sessions, and meetings both online and in-person, liaising with local authorities and statutory stakeholders, ensuring site branding compliance, maintaining project trackers and engagement logs, producing information sheets and internal communications, and contributing to Key Performance Indicators and reporting.

Additionally, the role supports social value initiatives by assisting in the development and delivery of site social value plans, building relationships with local organisations such as charities, schools, and voluntary community enterprises, organising volunteering days, STEM visits, work experience placements, and reporting social value data to the client and Costain Group.

Experience
- Proven experience in community engagement, stakeholder management, public affairs, communications, or a similar role
- Experience working on projects involving multiple stakeholders
- Good understanding of stakeholder engagement principles and community relations
- Experience developing and implementing stakeholder engagement and community liaison plans
- Experience managing sensitive or challenging stakeholder issues and resolving conflicts effectively
- Experience engaging with local authorities, councillors, MPs, community groups, residents, businesses, landowners, and statutory organisations
- Experience supporting consultation, public information events, community meetings, and stakeholder briefings
- Ability to work collaboratively with project, construction, engineering, environmental, communications, and commercial teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills

About you
- Collaborative and proactive with excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure
- Committed to delivering high-quality stakeholder engagement and community relations
- Enthusiastic about contributing to social value and community initiatives

Qualifications
- Desirable experience working within AMP8 or a regulated water environment
- Knowledge of the UK water industry and challenges associated with delivering water and wastewater infrastructure
- Experience working alongside water companies, Tier 1 contractors, or major infrastructure delivery partners
- Experience managing stakeholder requirements across multiple projects or geographical areas
- Understanding of environmental, planning, highways, and statutory requirements associated with infrastructure delivery
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as CIPR, IEMA, or CIWEM is advantageous