Communications Manager [Oxford]

Network Rail; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job description

Location
Oxford, GB

Department Name
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!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• GWR ticket alliance – Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.
• 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.
• A range of Pension schemes to choose from.
• Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, flexible working, flexible leave, and enhanced family friendly support.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 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.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.

Brief Description
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 deliver 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 who can hit the ground running, to be based in Oxford 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. Your role will be to manage stakeholder issues effectively, be a first point of contact for the local community and businesses, and create engaging content. You’ll need to quickly absorb a lot of information about the project, its history and where we’re heading.

You’ll be working with teams from Network Rail and our contractors, and for the new Senior Communications Manager [Oxford], to 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:

• 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.
• Where required, provide direct management and development of a team including carrying out regular 121’s, appraisals, objective setting and performance monitoring.
• 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 / Project Managers/ Scheme Sponsors, 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.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within corporate communications.
• Proven track record in public relations activity in a high profile organisation.
• Excellent writing skills and 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.

Desirable:

• Educated to degree level.
• Experience of working within an agency environment.

How To Apply (External)

Salary: This role is a Band 4B role - £35,582- £40,830 per annum.

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

Closing date: 16th 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.

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.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. 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. 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.