Senior Public Affairs Manager

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., · Analyse and manage the development and delivery of strategies and activities in the government / public affairs environment that enable the delivery of the objectives contained in Network Rail’s corporate communications strategy.

· Lead activities in responding to key legislative proposals, government consultations, and other strategic political consultations and developments that impact upon the company.

· Provide a comprehensive contact programme for passenger representatives’ bodies and other national stakeholder groups, providing assistance as appropriate to senior Executives in their interactions with those groups.

· Provide direct management and development of a team including carrying out regular 121’s, appraisals, objective setting and performance monitoring.

· Manage designated public affairs activities, including meetings, receptions and tours within agreed financial budgets.

· Analyse, plan and manage, public affairs activities which are fully co-ordinated and consistent with other communications strategies and activities.

· Establish an effective network of internal and external contacts as appropriate to carry out the public affairs function.

· Take part in on-call arrangements to deal with out-of-hours media requirements on behalf of the company.

· Implement the major incident communications plan as required.

We have a vacancy for a Senior Public Affairs Manager in the national external affairs team. This role will be the team lead on creating speeches and content for our senior leaders. Our goal is to be instinctively recognised as an industry leader in the railway, and engaging, impactful speeches to a variety of audiences are a crucial part of this. You’ll be able to create compelling content on a range of issues, with the ability to work with a variety of expert teams to adapt complex information and case studies on technical, economic and policy areas to widen understanding of our ambitious plans for the railway.

Evidence of ongoing experience of writing high quality speeches, briefings and stakeholder comms is crucial, and the impact they have had on achieving business and communications objectives. Building positive relationships with stakeholders will come naturally to you, along with your ability to engage, inform and make an impact both in person and in writing. This role reports into the Head of External Affairs., · Substantial experience in public affairs / lobbying / local government.

· 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.

· A proven understanding of all relevant political calendars and legislative assemblies

We would also like, but not essential.

· Experience in successfully dealing with the media/handling media enquiries.

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

· Experience of directing and managing agency support.

· Educated to degree level.

· Relevant professional qualifications.

· Evidence of continuing professional development.

We want to build a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we aim to make the most of the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we intend to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of diversity and inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.

About our people and the recruitment process: we're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone. We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance., The team supports Network Rail’s senior leadership engagement in Westminster and Whitehall, and with business groups and stakeholder organisations. You'll work with regional teams and industry partners to develop shared responses to issues. You'll be part of a lively, dynamic team which covers public affairs and government relations, responsible for getting information from across a complex, national organisation and turning it into clear, compelling messages for our audiences. You'll handle various issues, from reacting effectively to fast paced situations on the network, to developing positions and projects over time. You'll develop and implement engagement plans to achieve business objectives, based upon technical expertise and political insight gathered and analysed by the team.

Duration: Permanent, Full-time. Flexible working patterns will be considered., Band & Salary: 3B, £46,701 - £52,538 plus London weighting. (Depending on experience)

A message from our Chief Executive, Andrew Haines:

“We want to be on the side of the passengers and demonstrate our leadership across the rail industry. We will be an organisation that is easy to do business with, and one where our people are proud to work.

To achieve these ambitions, we will work to increase the diversity of our workforce so that we represent the passengers that we serve up and down the country – because everyone matters.” (2020)

“We’re delighted to have been named as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2023.”

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

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets.

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

Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.

️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

Plus more….