Public Affairs Manager

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View more categories View less categories Sector Public Sector Role Manager Contract Type Permanent Hours Full Time

About Network Rail

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, prioritising 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. 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. 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.

We care about people, and we're passionate about great service. We believe teamwork is key and the Anglia People Team is no exception. We have an ambitious people plan and want people that are committed to making Anglia a great place to work. You'll need to be flexible in your approach, and keen to learn.

Please note that this is a permanent opportunity and is based in London Stratford.

Brief Description
Are you great at developing and maintaining relationships? Do you understand the UK's political system and how to navigate it? We're looking for a public affairs manager for our Anglia route, which covers the East of England and parts of Greater London.

You'll be part of a small, energetic team helping to build trust and improve Network Rail's reputation with MPs, councillors, business leaders and industry groups, keeping people informed of vital industry issues and supporting the delivery of multi-million-pound railway projects.

As one of Britain's biggest landowners with millions of lineside neighbours, we also manage thousands of public enquiries, requests and complaints received every year. You'll also be part of a wider thriving and dynamic cross-functional communications team at a time of exciting change across the railway industry.

About the role (External)
Key Accountabilities:

1. Support the delivery of strategies and activities in the government/public affairs environment working alongside the wider communications teams.
2. Work with the senior public affairs manager to respond to key legislative proposals, government consultations, and other strategic political consultations and developments that impact upon the company.
3. Maintain positive working relationships with stakeholder groups and provide assistance as appropriate to senior team members in their interactions with those groups.
4. Take responsibility for designated public affairs activities, including responding to MP enquiries, attending meetings and receptions and facilitating site visits for stakeholders.
5. Set out clear and consistent public affairs messages which are fully co-ordinated and consistent with broader communications activities.
6. Establish an effective network of internal and external contacts as appropriate to carry out the public affairs function.
7. Collaborate with team members to implement communications plans as required.

Essential

1. Experience in public affairs/lobbying/local government.
2. High standards of written and spoken communication.
3. Strong influencing skills.
4. Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way.
5. Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of stakeholder contacts.
6. A proven understanding of all relevant political calendars and legislative assemblies.

Desirable

1. Evidence of good planning with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time.
2. Educated to degree level.
3. Relevant professional qualifications.
4. Evidence of continuing professional development.

Company

Every day, 4.8 million people use our network. Keeping Britain moving and building a better railway for the future is full of challenges - but also tremendous opportunities.

From our commitments to your development, our range of benefits and our approach to Diversity & Inclusion, we believe there are many reasons to join the team at Network Rail.

We're proactive in empowering employees with the knowledge to help them progress. We encourage all our employees to be ambitious, and offer great training and career development opportunities. As the railway becomes bigger and more technologically advanced, it's crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead.

We believe that investing in our people is one of the most effective ways of improving the safety, reliability and efficiency of the railway.

We also know that it's vital to get each individual's training programme just right. As well as helping us to meet our immediate needs, we believe this is an approach that encourages people to stay with us and develop their careers.

Your health, wellbeing and benefits

We believe that safety and performance go hand in hand and this doesn't just mean safety on the railway! We are committed to the wellbeing of our employees and believe, that should come first.

We provide access to support services such as our employee assistance program to help you with finances, family, health and wellbeing. In addition to this, we offer excellent benefits, are sensitive to work-life balance and encourage our employees to use their 5 volunteer days for their favourite causes.

We have a range of benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave entitlement.
• My benefits - Our discounted online shopping site.
• A range of discounted offers including, childcare vouchers, Healthcare offers - cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits.
• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets.
• A range of pension schemes.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community.

What Diversity and Inclusion means to us

'Diversity' means recognising differences between people while valuing the contribution they make. 'Inclusion' means creating safe and welcoming workplaces with fair cultures that encourages innovative and fresh ways of thinking.

Our aspiration is that the behaviours and actions that support diversity and inclusion will come from the conviction of everyone here at Network Rail - making diversity and inclusion a conscious part of how we run our business throughout Britain.

Disability Confident Leader

Network Rail is an accredited Disability Confident Leader. This means, where a disabled applicant meets the essential criteria for any of our vacancies, they will receive an interview.