Senior Public Affairs Manager Location Birmingham, GB Department Name SC Communications Central (115615) G2 About Network Rail Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7 365 days a year. 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 We're continuing to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation which is representative of the passengers we serve. To do this, it's essential we become a more open, diverse and inclusive organisation, harnessing the skills and expertise of all our people and attracting the best talent to help us have a safe, accessible railway for everyone. We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone Brief Description Within this role, you will be part of the North West & Central Region, working for the Central Route. The Central route covers a major part of the national rail network, with hundreds of thousands of passengers, and thousands of tonnes of freight carried within our route each week. Within our route is the Chiltern Main Line between London Marylebone and the West Midlands, the Snow Hill line from Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester, the Cross City line in Birmingham, and lines to other cities including Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, and Oxford. We also have big plans under way in the Central route. The planned HS2 railway includes stops in Birmingham and Solihull, providing much-needed additional capacity on the rail network and faster journeys for passengers. East West Rail will also re-establish a rail link between Cambridge and Oxford and improve connectivity within the region. About the role (External) What will you be doing? Within this newly created role you'll be covering a busy part of the country, from both a political and railway perspective. Network Rail has just started its latest five-year funding period and there is an ongoing story to tell stakeholders about investment in the railway, the benefits it brings to communities and economies, and the challenges it faces and why. This is both a hands on and strategic role which requires political astuteness and knowledge of local, regional and national issues; careful forward planning; delivery of stakeholder engagements with industry and wider partners; and promotion of successes and achievements to internal and external audiences. You will be required to work with other political role within Network Rail and with the Department for Transport and With a significant overlap between political stakeholders and the communities Central route serves, you will be responsible for managing the quality and effectiveness of our communication and engagement with passengers and members of the public. In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be: Substantial experience in public affairs / lobbying / local government 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 A proven understanding of all relevant political calendars and legislative assemblies It's not mandatory to have the below, but it would be desirable to have: Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time and within budget Experience of directing and managing agency support Educated to degree level Relevant professional qualifications Evidence of continuing professional development How to apply (External) Salary range starting from £46,701 raising to £52,816 per annum. Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised. 28 days holiday entitlement (plus bank holidays) 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 75% discount on leisure travel A choice of contributory pension schemes 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community 5 days volunteer leave Want to look into the benefits further? Find out here All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a range of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information Closing date: 06/05/2024. Late applications will not be accepted. 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.