Senior Communications Manager

EB Head of Western Communications (112605) G5

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.
Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

1. Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
2. A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
3. GWR ticket alliance - Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.
4. Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
5. A range of Pension schemes to choose from.
6. Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, flexible working, flexible leave, and enhanced family friendly support.
7. 5 days paid volunteering leave.
8. 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.

In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

The Oxford Station Enhancements Project is our work to update and upgrade the railway infrastructure and surrounding area in central Oxford. This exciting project will bring a bigger, better station for everyone; more services with East West Rail; additional rail capacity for the future; and an improved and safer road layout.

We're looking for a first-grade communicator to own the communications strategy for the Oxford Station Enhancements Project at a crucial time for the project. This fixed term contract will be to see through the project until Botley Road reopens in August 2026.

Building on the existing communications plan, you'll develop and deliver consistent and effective communications strategies, aligned with the Western Route communications strategy.

You'll be working with teams from Network Rail and our contractors, and for the Head of Communications. You'll line manage the new Communications Manager Oxford and together you'll protect and enhance our reputation, helping the project deliver the programme and where possible reduce the impact of our work on the community. Potential for role to be extended or made permanent to work on other projects subject to business need.

About the role (External)

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Develop, drive and implement communications plans for key projects, working collaboratively with stakeholders to create content, campaigns and events, to support the delivery of business objectives and drive performance.
2. Establish and maintain strong and trusting relationships with key stakeholders, working collaboratively in order to support the identification, development and delivery their internal communications goals.
3. Lead communications activities which present reputational risk or opportunities for the business.
4. Establish an effective network of internal and external contacts and provide direction/influence to senior managers and external industry parties where appropriate.
5. Identify and supply content for internal communications channels and act as a conduit for material/information across communications teams.
6. Provide advice/guidance on communications activity undertaken by key personnel including directors, project managers and sponsors, delivering consistency with the national communications strategy and in accordance with Network Rail's corporate policies.
7. Check all branding used complies with Network Rail's policy on branding, visual identity and image.
8. Evaluate communications activities on the project, from effectiveness to budget spend, so that improvements can be identified during and after the project.
9. Create and lead a team including carrying out regular 121s, appraisals, objective setting and performance monitoring and onboarding contractors as appropriate.
10. Implement the major incident communications plan as required.

You will ideally have

1. Educated to degree level or a professional communications qualification (eg IoIC, CIPR, PRCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
2. Substantial experience in corporate communications.
3. High standards of written and spoken communication.
4. The experience and personal credibility to work effectively with senior managers.
5. Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way.
6. Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of stakeholder contacts.
7. Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time and within budget.
8. Experience of directing and managing agency support.
9. Evidence of continuing professional development.

How to apply (External)

Salary: This role is a Band 3B role - £46,701- £53,589 per annum.

Please note - this role is for a 12-month fixed term contract.

Closing date: 16 th April 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click 'apply now' to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader 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. You can visit Evenbreak's 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.

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates 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.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.