Head of Communications North & East Route

Location

York, GB

Department Name

AD HOF Communications NE (844011) G4

About Network Rail

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

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.

Brief Description

Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of a communications strategy for the North & East route that is consistent and compliant with Network Rail’s overall corporate communications strategy.

About The Role (External)

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and deliver a communications strategy for the route that is consistent and compliant with Network Rail’s corporate communications strategy.
• Set the objectives, strategies, policies and guidelines to be used in the route communications strategy.
• Manage the delivery of the contact and communities strategy that is consistent and compliant with Network Rail’s overall corporate communications strategy; coordinating resources for its route based delivery, delivering excellent customer service and prompt problem resolution.
• Build effective internal and external working relationships with key stakeholders and funders to support Network Rail’s interests.
• Create and deliver a consistent and co-ordinated communications strategy for the route.
• Manage the contact and communities team to actively represent the public throughout the organisation delivering continuous improvement by highlighting and addressing any events or trends.
• Liaise with the Communications function to provide authorisation for the route communications strategy and annually-produced communications plans including all external communications by the route management team.
• Accountable for reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the route specific communications activities on a regular basis, against defined deliverables and budgets.
• Manage all potential local issues arising from the implementation of the communications strategy so that the relevant Communications teams are aware of such issues.
• Manage all branding use, including the development of co-branding, so it is consistent and complies with Network Rail’s corporate policy on branding, identity and image.
• Implement the major incident communications plan as required.
  
  
  

Essential

• Substantial experience in public/corporate affairs
• 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 proven leadership and team management skills
• Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects/campaigns and activities on time and within budget
• Experience of directing and managing agency support
• A proven understanding of all relevant political calendars and legislative assemblies
• A detailed knowledge of developing comprehensive multi-disciplinary communications strategies and the delivery of those strategies
  
  
  

Desirable

• Educated to degree level
• Relevant professional qualifications
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Journalistic experience
• A proven track record of interpreting business and cultural messages in internal / change communications programmes
  
  
  

How To Apply (External)

Salary : £71,163 - £80,060

Closing date : 25 November . - Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

What does our recruitment process look like?

• Once you have applied, your CV will be reviewed.
• If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an interview.
  
  
  

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 Sentinel 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 Evenbreaks Career Hive 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 - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information