External Communications Manager: Engineering, Technology & Safety

External Communications Manager: Engineering, Technology & Safety

Derby or Bristol – Hybrid (3 days per week on site)
Full time

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an External Communications Manager to shape and deliver external communications for the Engineering, Technology & Safety (ET&S) function, telling the story of our engineering expertise, technology and innovation to strengthen our reputation and drive our growth potential.

Engineering, Technology & Safety (ET&S) is the team at the heart of Rolls-Royce, with the capabilities to drive engineering and manufacturing excellence, enabling fast and efficient development and deployment of safe, innovative and mature products.

We deliver cutting-edge technology and world-class engineering and manufacturing solutions that enhance efficiency, performance, sustainability and safety, keeping Rolls-Royce competitive, future-ready and a trusted partner for all our customers across Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems and Nuclear.

You will develop and embed a compelling external narrative for ET&S, aligned with the company communications strategy and corporate narrative, strengthening our reputation for distinctive engineering expertise, technology, innovation capability and leadership among key external audiences.

What you will be doing:

·        Shape the external communications strategy for ET&S, including the development of a nascent technology narrative to strengthen our reputation for distinctive engineering expertise, technology and innovation capability and leadership among key external audiences.

·        Develop media strategies, announcements, features, executive content and thought-leadership opportunities in support of ET&S and Group Communications strategies.

·        Build a proactive content pipeline covering engineering breakthroughs, innovation, safety, people, partnerships, capability and commercially focused outcomes.

·        Be a trusted advisor to senior leaders and subject-matter experts.

·        Translate complex engineering and technical subjects into clear, accessible and engaging stories for external audiences.

·        Protect and strengthen reputation through insight and issues management in conjunction with the Group Communications team.

·        Use insight and evaluation to refine the narrative, content priorities, channel and media strategy and track communications impact with target audiences.

Position Qualifications:

• Proven experience developing narratives and building proactive external communications programmes from an early stage, including best practice across digital channels.
• Outstanding writing and editorial skills, with proven ability to communicate complex technical subjects clearly and credibly.
• Strong news judgement, with the ability to identify stories with relevance beyond the organisation.
• Experience advising senior executives and technical experts on external positioning.
• Passion for and knowledge of engineering, technology, innovation and/or safety communications.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to build networks and influence across a complex, highly matrixed organisation.
• Strong collaborative approach, with the ability to bring new thinking and challenge the status quo.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience developing and executing media strategies, announcements, executive content and thought-leadership opportunities.
• Experience building relationships with technology, engineering, innovation and/or corporate media.
• Experience supporting issues and reputation management involving complex or sensitive subject matter.
• Experience using insight, measurement and evaluation to assess reputation outcomes and refine communications activity.
• Experience working across multiple communications disciplines to deliver integrated external communications campaigns.
• Establish effective approval and governance processes for complex or sensitive technical content.
• Plan and manage activity within an allocated budget.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.

This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.

It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Grade: Level C
Closing Date: 9th October 2026
People Leader: Vicky Crouch
For further information, please contact: Jaspreet Bagga