Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in people\'s lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We\'re an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!

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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!

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, as we know traditional working patterns don\'t always fit. 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.

We\'re also a 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.

Brief Description

We\'re looking for a Public Affairs Manager to join the Southern region at Network Rail and help us maintain great relationships with MPs, Local Authorities, Business Groups and our rail partners, as well as working closely with the communities we serve right across the South, including our community rail programme.

You\'ll own the regional relationship with our some of our most important stakeholders and will advise our senior leadership team on how to engage with them, producing briefings, organising meetings and visits and providing proactive updates on our work. You\'ll also need to be able to manage a busy inbox of casework from MPs and their offices, Councillors as well as Rail User and community groups.

This is an exciting role where you\'ll have the chance to work closely on the day-to-day operation of the railway in the South, while also engaging our stakeholders on more strategic and long-term plans. Working with colleagues across the whole rail industry, including our Regional Executive, senior train operating colleagues and other senior leaders within the business, you\'ll need excellent stakeholder management skills as well as being a great influencer and all-round communicator with the resilience to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment and respond to evolving needs.

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About the role (External)

Key Accountabilities

1. Devise, develop, implement and report on activities which support the delivery of the objectives contained in Network Rail\'s corporate communications strategy.

2. Develop a programme of proactive engagement with Members of Parliaments or relevant legislative or other assemblies on behalf of Network Rail and seeking to highlight the company\'s plans, activities and strategies.

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

4. Identify activities and key messages that support Network Rail\'s business objectives and key operational imperatives. Maintain an awareness of events and programmed company activities that may require planned public affairs activities.

5. Develop and implement public affairs activities which are fully co-ordinated and consistent with other communications strategies and activities.

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

7. Implement the major incident communications plan as required.

Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

\xc2\xb7 Significant experience in public affairs / lobbying / local government

\xc2\xb7 High standards of written and spoken communication

\xc2\xb7 The experience and personal credibility to work effectively with senior managers

\xc2\xb7 Strong influencing skills

\xc2\xb7 Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way

\xc2\xb7 Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of stakeholder contacts

\xc2\xb7 A proven understanding of all relevant political calendars and legislative assemblies

Desirable

\xc2\xb7 Educated to degree level

\xc2\xb7 Relevant professional qualifications

\xc2\xb7 Evidence of continuing professional development

How to apply (External)

Salary: \xc2\xa335,582 - \xc2\xa340,029 + \xc2\xa33,270 Inner London Allowance

Location: London Blackfriars

Type: Permanent

Closing date: 13th August 2023. - Late applications will not be accepted. This role has also been advertised externally.

Remote working opportunity! This role requires working in the office 3 days a week

Click apply now to apply.

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard is changing as of 16.01.2023. All prospective candidates who have not been offered a conditional role by 16.01.2023 will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

You can visit for advice on accessibility support if you\'re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits -

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Network Rail