Newcastle International Airport – Corporate Affairs Director

A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen to join the senior leadership team at this market leading Airport.
  
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Corporate Affairs Director will play a pivotal role in managing brand and reputation, relationships with multiple key stakeholders, and helping shape the Airport’s development.  

Newcastle International Airport is a multiple award winning Airport serving approximately 5 million passengers every year and supporting c3500 jobs across a large and complex site. It serves almost 80 destinations across 18 airlines including British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates and Lufthansa. Following the pandemic the Business is back to its pre pandemic performance levels and is investing heavily to improve customer experience, business profitability and deliver on its commitment to be Net Zero by 2035. The Airport is at the heart of the North East’s economy, it is owned by the 7 Local Authorities in the Region along with InfraBridge a private equity infrastructure investor, both shareholders are highly supportive of the business and support its growth plans. 

The Candidate
  
The role has an exceptionally broad range of responsibility, potential candidates do not need experience in all these areas but will need to satisfy the following criteria:   

• Experience in working with multiple stakeholders in politically sensitive and complex environments where reputation and brand are paramount.   
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of political awareness, and an instinctive antenna for issues giving rise to a variety of potential risks.  
• Motivated, ambitious and resilient, the successful applicant will be able to communicate and influence at all levels in the organisation.  
• A well organised individual, but flexible, adaptable and responsive to sudden changes in tasks and priorities.  

The Role  
  
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role encompasses full responsibility for all areas of Corporate Affairs and also includes the following:   

• Direction and management of the NIAL corporate affairs, marketing including communications planning, environment/sustainability, and planning agendas.  
• Working for the best interests of the Airport in the context of political, economic and business developments including securing optimum political, policy and funding support.   
• Influencing the national/regional planning, environmental/sustainability and political agendas in respect of key issues affecting the company.   
• Optimising the Airport’s profile and international brand including management of a marketing, media and public affairs programme including undertaking the role of media spokesperson.   
• Development and implementation of environmental policies including delivery of Net Zero Carbon plans and CSR strategies.   
• Oversight of the Airport Masterplan including associated public consultation exercises.   

Prior airport sector experience is not required, but you will need to be self-starting, and able to handle multiple priorities in a complex operating environment with multiple stakeholders. Strong communication skills and an ability to influence those stakeholders is taken as given.  The role is office based with occasional travel. 
  
Development prospects are very good for the successful candidate. The Airport has a track record of promoting from within. As the organisation develops there will be room for both personal and career advancement in a supportive team orientated culture. 
  
An attractive salary package which will not be a barrier for the right candidate is enhanced by contributory pension scheme, life assurance and medical cover. 
  
About Newcastle International Airport 

Newcastle International Airport is a public private partnership. Seven local authorities own 51% of the airport company; Durham County Council, Gateshead MB Council, Newcastle City Council, Northumberland Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council. 49% is owned by Infrabridge a infrastructure investment manager investing in mid-market businesses in transportation and logistics, digital infrastructure and energy transition, among other key sectors. InfraBridge is a division of DigitalBridge a global digital infrastructure firm managing a $50 billion portfolio of infrastructure assets.