Head of Communications & Media [Capital Delivery]

1. Develop and deliver a communications strategy for Capital Delivery that is consistent and compliant with Network Rail’s corporate communications strategy. 2. Set the objectives, strategies, policies and guidelines to be used in the Capital Delivery communications strategy. 3. Support Route business communications teams’ proactive and reactive contact and communities work that is consistent and compliant with Network Rail’s overall corporate communications strategy; coordinating resources for delivery, delivering excellent customer service and prompt problem resolution. 4. Build effective internal and external working relationships with route business heads of communications to support Network Rail’s interests. 5. Create and deliver a consistent and co-ordinated communications trade and mainstream media strategy for Capital Delivery, aligning key project communications approaches managed on a day to day basis with the supply chain. 6. Evaluate the performance of all Capital Delivery communication activities to drive continuous improvement and audience reach. 7. Devise annual communications plans, including all internal and external communications by the Capital Delivery leadership team. 8. Accountable for reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the Capital Delivery communications activities on a regular basis, against defined deliverables and budgets. 9. Manage all potential local issues arising from the implementation of the communications strategy so that the relevant Communications teams are aware of such issues. 10. 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. 11. Be part of a regional on call communications service that includes the promotion and early warning to passengers of seasonal major engineering works.

· 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 We would also like but it isn’t crucial to have/to be: · 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

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. Network Rail has been recognised as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equity for the fourth consecutive year! You can find out more about this here: The Times Top 50 Listmakers 2024 - Business in the Community (bitc.org.uk) 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. You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes – North West, Central and West Coast South – and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services., NW&C Capital Delivery has an extremely diverse portfolio of renewal and enhancement programmes totalling circa £1 billion per year. This includes high profile programmes to get the region ready for new technology on the West Coast main line, as well as enhancements to key passenger routes, that include within Greater Manchester. We are introducing this role within our NW&C Capital Delivery team to lead the development and delivery of the NW&C CD internal and external communication strategies, ensuring our message is consistent and impactful across all platforms and supports effective ongoing engagement with our staff, supply chain partners, government funders and regional politicians. You will be an integral member of the Capital Delivery Senior Leadership Team, collaborating with Directors and business leaders from across Capital Delivery and the wider NW&C region, the supply chain and regional and national communications professionals. This is a broad role in which you will lead communications and generate content on behalf of Capital Delivery leadership team in relation to investment, efficiency, performance, safety working with trade media, the supply chain, route, regional and national communications teams across digital and traditional platforms, including social media, press releases, and internal communications. The successful applicant will also lead all internal communications activity for our CD workforce of circa 530 employees in collaboration with HR. The successful candidate can be based from either Birmingham or Manchester.

• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes, and the potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel – Leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working (2/3 days a week in the office/on site) and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of childcare vouchers, 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