Communications Manager

Senior Communications Manager

Location

Milton Keynes, GB

Department Name

Communications

About Network Rail

About Network Rail…

🌟 Join Our Team at Network Rail! 🌟

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we’re here to connect people and goods with where they need to be – safely and on time.

We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

Brief Description

Vacancy Details

Duration: 9 month Secondment or 9 month Fixed Term Contract with the potential to go permanent. (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).

Location: This role is based in The Quadrant:MK. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered.You must live within 90 minutes of The Quadrant.

Band & Salary: 3B £46,701 - £52,538 pro rata (Subject to experience)

Closing date: 7th August On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: Interviews will be held W/C 12th August depending on business requirements.

Some of our great benefits:

🌍 Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

🌞 Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days pro rata), with the option to buy/sell days.

🎁 Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Defined benefit pension scheme

🚂 75% subsidy on train tickets.

🎟️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

🕊️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Plus more….

About the role (External)

About the team..

Our Communications function is responsible for ensuring that Network Rail presents a consistent narrative about the company and its strategy. The team integrates Network Rail’s long-term business strategy with its external stakeholder communications and internal employee engagement.

Who are we looking for?

We’re looking for a talented individual who will be hands on with planning and delivering of a range of communications projects and working closely with our senior managers across Network Rail. A team-player who possess strong writing skills, is a confident communicator and presenter, with experience in developing effective communication strategies with a knowledge of project management to deliver plans to strict deadlines. If this sounds like you, we’re looking forward to meeting you to join our dedicated and friendly team.

What does the average day look like?

In this role you will develop, drive and implement communications plans for key projects, working collaboratively with stakeholders to create content, campaigns and events, to support the delivery of business objectives and drive performance. You will establish and maintain strong and trusting relationships with key stakeholders, working collaboratively to support the identification, development and delivery their communications goals. This includes leading communications activities which present reputational risk or opportunities for the business. As well as establishing an effective network of contacts and provide direction/influence to senior managers and external industry parties where appropriate.

Day to day you will provide advice/guidance on communications activity undertaken by key personnel including directors, project managers and sponsors, ensuring you are delivering consistency with the national communications strategy and in accordance with Network Rail’s corporate policies. You will be developing relationships with important clients to help them to plan and deliver their communications strategies. You will also review all branding used to ensure it complies with Network Rail’s policy on branding, visual identity and image. Including evaluating activities on the project, from effectiveness to budget spend, so that improvements can be identified during and after the project.

Essential Criteria

·Educated to degree level or a professional communications qualification (eg IoIC, CIPR, PRCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience

·Substantial experience in corporate communications

·High standards of written and spoken communication

·The experience and personal credibility to work effectively with senior managers

·Strong influencing skills

·Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way

·Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of stakeholder contacts

·Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time and within budget

Desirable

·Experience of directing and managing agency support

·Evidence of continuing professional development

·Project Management experience

How to apply (External)

Additional Information…

We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

Visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive should you need accessibility support to apply or any require any reasonable adjustments, please email [email protected]

BPSS

As an arm’s length department of the UK Government, Network Rail is required to comply with a well-established pre-employment vetting process for all prospective employees. Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks require prospective employees of Network Rail to meet the following requirements.

• Provide eligibility to work in the UK and identity documentation

• Complete a satisfactory 3-year employment history check

• Complete a satisfactory unspent criminal conviction disclosure check for more information regarding BPSS pre-employment related checks, please visit the UK Government website for further information - UK Government - BPSS Checks

Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or another factor.