About Network Rail            

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From the Thameslink Programme to Crossrail, we're involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures this country has ever seen.

Our routes and regions work closely with train operators, and are accountable for running and maintaining the railway, improving safety and performance, and providing a value for money railway.

Network Rail’s Southern Region serves passengers and freight operators from Devon in the west to Kent in the east, linking major towns and cities, transporting large numbers of commuters and serving channel routes to Europe as well as Gatwick and Southampton airports. We are responsible for the major London stations of Waterloo, Clapham Junction, London Bridge, Victoria, Cannon Street and Charing Cross

We operate the busiest and most congested rail lines in the country and are dedicated to putting passengers first and to delivering a step-change in the quality of the service we provide them. Our key projects include:

• Redeveloping Gatwick Airport station to provide more capacity
• Unblocking bottlenecks at Croydon and Woking
• Major signalling schemes to bring us into the 21^st century
• Major investment to improve the resilience of the railway across the region

      Brief Description            

We are at the beginning of our new five-year funding period, which will see record investment in the day-to-day running of the region’s rail network. We are now looking for a communications manager to develop and deliver engaging communications to support the successful delivery of each stage of railway projects. 

About the role

Based in Southwark London, you will work as part of a small team focusing on delivery of a wide range of railway improvement projects. The work is varied, producing both internal and external communications ranging from making the case for investment, to travel advice campaigns ahead of and during the work, and promoting the passenger benefits on completion.

The role involves working closely with people across the business, including project managers, sponsors and frontline teams, to make sure the communications team has clear sight of planned works programmes and an understanding of the levels of communication support required by different projects. You will also need to recognise where there are potential reputational risks and help devise strategies and plans to mitigate them, working with colleagues across the wider region and route communications teams.

The role would suit an experienced communications professional with a wide range of skills, or a specialist looking to broaden their experience.

Network Rail welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates 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, membership or non-membership of trade union, social class or any other irrelevant factor.  We are committed to interviewing all applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria advertised.  We are two ticks accredited and we continue to strive to create a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.

      About the role (External)            

Key Accountabilities

1.       Develop and implement communications strategy on projects which present reputational risks or opportunities for the business.

2.       Produce and manage detailed communications plans, detailing activities and resources necessary for implementation and providing recommendations for continuous improvement / best practice.

3.       Interface with key external audiences (across community relations, media and public affairs) so that these relationships are appropriately managed, in consultation with relevant external communications teams in Government and Corporate Affairs.

4.       Build relationships and provide direction / influence to senior project managers and external industry parties/ funding organisations where appropriate.

5.       Provide guidance on all external communications activity undertaken by project personnel including Project/Programme Director / Project Managers/ Scheme Sponsors, delivering consistency with the approved communications strategy and in accordance with Network Rail’s corporate policies.

6.       Assist with delivery of Network Rail’s corporate internal communications programme and act as a conduit for material/information for corporate, regional and route comms channels.

7.       Check that all branding used on the project complies with Network Rail’s corporate policy on branding, visual identity and image.

8.       Produce regular reports on all communications activities on the project, including budget.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

·       Significant experience within corporate communications

·       Proven track record in public relations activity in a high profile organisation

·       Excellent writing skills and ability to think strategically

·       Excellent influencing skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders

·       Thorough knowledge of the media and how it operates

Desirable

·       Educated to degree level or equivalent

·       Experience of working within an agency environment or managing agencies

      How To Apply- External            

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 other irrelevant factor. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail.  Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.

Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3000 (to a maximum amount of £2,250). This post is also eligible for Inner London Allowance of £3,100.

Network Rail positively embraces flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life. We will consider all flexible working applications.”

Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the following pay range: £32,256 -£36,288 (salaries and allowances currently under review)

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

Closing date: 23/7/2019, late applications will not be accepted.  We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes. This role is located at London James Forbes House