Who We Are
We get people where they need to be, whether they are commuting to work, visiting friends or family, or travelling the length and breadth of Britain.
Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7 365 days a year. Every day our 40,000-strong workforce strives to put passengers and freight first by keeping trains running on time. Those trains carry millions of passengers as well as millions of tonnes of freight, keeping power stations running, construction projects building and supermarket shelves stocked. We make millions of lives better every day and have a vital job in driving the economic prosperity of the nation. Our work matters to millions.
This Communications Manager role, for our North West route which covers Cheshire to Cumbria, including key cities like Liverpool and Manchester, and destinations such as Blackpool and the Lake District, is crucial in telling that story.
North West route forms one of three in our North West & Central region, which sees 1.3 million daily passengers and moves 700,000 tonnes of freight weekly, with 571 stations making up a quarter of Britain’s rail network.
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity to join one of Network Rail’s busiest communications teams. The Communications Manager will work in our North West route, serving two major cities, epic scenic landscapes in two National Parks, and major towns and tourist destinations across five counties. The role is in Manchester and covers Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire and Cumbria. It is a hybrid working policy with 3 days in the office or on site, and 2 days from home.
What the role involves
* Develop and implement communications strategy on projects which present reputational risks or opportunities for the business.
* Produce and manage detailed communications plans, detailing activities and resources necessary for implementation and providing recommendations for continuous improvement / best practice.
* Interface with key external audiences (across community relations, media and public affairs) so that these relationships are appropriately managed, in consultation with relevant external communications teams in Government and Corporate Affairs.
* Build relationships and provide direction / influence to senior project managers and external industry parties / funding organisations where appropriate.
* Provide guidance on all external communications activity undertaken by project personnel including Project/ Programme Director and Project Managers, delivering consistency with the approved G&CA communications strategy and in accordance with Network Rail’s corporate policies.
* Assist with delivery of Network Rail’s corporate internal communications programme and act as a conduit for material/information for corporate comms channels.
* Check that all branding used on the project complies with Network Rail’s corporate policy on branding, visual identity and image.
* Produce regular reports on all communications activities on the project, including budget.
* Encourage people to share the stories we want to highlight, create once‑off venues like site visits, and gather stories to improve passenger experience communication.
Qualifications & Experience
* Significant experience within corporate communications.
* Proven track record in public relations activity in a high‑profile organisation.
* Excellent writing and the ability to think strategically.
* Excellent influencing skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
* Thorough knowledge of the media and how it operates.
Preferred but not essential
* Video making skills.
* Educated to degree level.
* Graphic design skills (experience using Adobe Creative Suite).
* Experience of working within an agency environment.
* Media relations experience.
Salary and benefits
Band 4B salary range: £35,582 - £42,218 (Depending on experience).
* 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days.
* Access to a range of contributory pension schemes.
* Potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus.
* Subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
* Privileged staff travel – discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%.
* Season ticket loan and discounted annual season tickets.
* 35‑hour‑per‑week contract with flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
* Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family‑friendly support.
* Healthcare offers including discounted healthcare club membership, discounted cycle hire and online shopping sites.
* 5 days of paid volunteering leave.
* 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
Recruitment process
Once you have applied, your CV will be reviewed by a Recruitment Specialist. If your experience matches our needs you may be asked to submit a short self‑filmed video to demonstrate filming and editing skills. This will need to be submitted prior to the interview. You will then be invited to a face‑to‑face interview with the hiring manager, including a 15‑minute writing exercise and a 45‑minute competency‑based interview.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks.
Network Rail complies with the Equality Act 2010 and they are an equal opportunities employer.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Click here for more information.
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