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. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!

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. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.

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 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.

About the function\xe2\x80\xa6

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.

Brief Description

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for somebody with a can-do attitude who is passionate about putting our employees at the heart of all communications. They will like working with and through others and representing communications as a strategic, trusted advisor within our three areas of the business: HR, Technical Authority and Chief Financial Officer Directorate. They will have experience of pulling together and delivering communications plans and enjoy having lots of projects on the go. Their leadership style encourages those around them to look at things differently and they will be proactive and welcome trying new things.

About the role (External)

What does the average day look like?

Every day will be different, but you leading and coaching people to achieve impactful communications outcomes will be a permanent feature. You\'ll lead a team of communication managers, who will support delivery across the three functions. You will be prepared to upskill and challenge areas to think differently about where communications can add value and achieve behavioural change. You will work with the head of communications to develop, drive and implement communications plans to deliver business objectives and drive performance. Establishing and maintaining strong and trusting relationships is key to success, as well as building your communication network internally and externally to make sure you learn and achieve best practice communications.

What essential skills and experiences are required?

\xc2\xb7 Educated to degree level or a professional communications qualification (eg IoIC, CIPR, PRCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience

\xc2\xb7 Excellent written and spoken communications skills

\xc2\xb7 Customer service mindset and demonstrable collaborative approach

\xc2\xb7 Evidence of having managed internal communications in a large organisation, including developing and delivering multi-disciplinary communication programmes

\xc2\xb7 Experience of working in partnership with senior leaders, coaching and influencing them to deliver effective messaging

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

\xc2\xb7 Knowledge and understanding new and innovative best practice communications to drive engagement and shape culture

\xc2\xb7 Ability to shape and deliver key messages to various audiences and their individual needs

\xc2\xb7 Experience of managing a team

\xc2\xb7 Proven track record of operating in a complex working environment and managing ambiguity

We would also like, but not essential.

\xc2\xb7 Office 365 experience

\xc2\xb7 Video editing experience

\xc2\xb7 Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

\xc2\xb7 Experience of working within a unionised environment and/or regulated sector.

How to apply (External)

Key Vacancy Information

Duration: Permanent

This role is a full-time opportunity, but flexible working patterns will be considered.

Location: This role is based at Quadrant:MK. For roles based in the , you must live within 75/90 minutes.

Closing date: 9th August 2023 on occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted. Interviews will be held TBC

Band & Salary: Band 3B \xc2\xa346,701 - \xc2\xa352,538

Hiring Manager & Resourcer: Laura Alfred & Dominic Jeffs

What can we offer you in return?

We have a range of benefits including:

\xc2\xb7 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus Bank Holidays and five volunteer days

\xc2\xb7 My Benefits - our discounted online shopping site

\xc2\xb7 A range of discounted offers including, Healthcare offers, cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits

\xc2\xb7 Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets

\xc2\xb7 A range of pension schemes

\xc2\xb7 Two weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community

\xc2\xb7 Training, development and employee assistance programme available

\xc2\xb7 To learn about the benefits we offer please .

A message from our Chief Executive, Andrew Haines:

\xe2\x80\x9cWe 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.\xe2\x80\x9d (2020)

How to apply

We\'re an inclusive employer of choice, Disability Confident Leader employer, encourage people to work flexibly and we welcome applications from everyone

Visit should you need accessibility support to apply or should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact

Network Rail