Senior Media Relations Manager

About Network Rail

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

This is an exciting time to join Network Rail - we've just been voted as The Times' top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for the 3rd year in a row! As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell upto 5 days
• 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

Discover more at www.networkrailcareers.com/benefits

Network Rail operates and maintains the railway infrastructure 24/7 365 days a year. We do work that matters to millions. And we do it in millions of different ways.

We're passionate about great service and commit to our service equation vision by "putting passengers first". Performance, safety and getting the fundamental basics right, is something we strive for as well as asking ourselves - what can we do to put our passengers and freight users at the centre of everything we do?

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. In this role, you will have the opportunity to support route communications colleagues in publicising the benefits of major railway renewal and enhancement projects that may disrupt passengers in the short-term and be visible to local communities.

To find out more about us - Take a look here!
Brief Description

Develop and deliver media relations strategies aimed at promoting Network Rail's policies and initiatives and protecting the company's interests, that consistent and compliant with Network Rail's overall corporate media relations strategy.

This is a 12-month secondment/fixed term opportunity with the potential to be made permanent and can be based from one of our core locations in the North-West & Central Region: Birmingham, Manchester or Milton Keynes.

We offer hybrid working - with the requirement to be in the office two/three days a week.

*Please note, that secondments are subject to agreement from your line manager; please discuss this opportunity with them before applying to avoid disappointment.
About the role (External)

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Plan and control a full-media, 24-hours a day, year-round press desk service for the business

• Take part in on-call arrangements to deal with out-of-hours media requirements on behalf of the company

• Devise and implement national media campaigns in line with company priorities and objectives

• Analyse and manage the development and delivery of strategies and activities in the media environment that enable the delivery of objectives contained in the company's national media and communications strategies

• Manage effectively the processes, quality standards and operational systems for national media co-ordination, planning and information exchange.

• Manage, direct and control the output of press releases, briefing sessions, photo opportunities and facility visits for the media. Organise broadcasts as necessary. Monitor media comment and prepare suitable responses aimed at clarifying / correcting any misconceptions.

• Inform the Head of Media of all significant media enquiries or activity.

• Monitor the effectiveness of press coverage for Network Rail, taking corrective action where necessary.

• Maintain regular contact with editors and senior journalists so that they understand our role and policies and are aware of key stories

• Implement the major incident communications plan as required

• Where required, provide direct management and development of a team including carrying out regular 121s, appraisals, objective setting and performance monitoring

What could set you apart:
(Essential)

• Substantial experience in media relations

• A proven track record in journalism or public relations in a high profile industry

• Excellent writing and broadcasting skills

• 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 media contacts

• Ability to work in a team

• Ability to work under pressure

You will ideally have:
(Desirable)

• Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time and within budget

• Educated to degree level

• Relevant professional qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development]]>