Communications Manager in Manchester

Brief Description

An exciting Communications Manager opportunity has become available on a 12 month secondment / fixed-term basis within the North West Route communications team.

You will manage and deliver consistent and effective communications strategies for key programme(s) of work, which include (amongst others) a property led development programme taking place in Greater Manchester. You will manage stakeholder issues effectively to protect and enhance Network Rail’s corporate reputation and coordinate a broad range of stakeholder communication activities (across media, public affairs, community relations and internal audiences) in line with Government & Corporate Affairs objectives.

About the role (External)

Every day will be different, but you can expect to be involved in the following activities:

1. Develop and implement communications strategy for the Manchester stations programme.

2. Produce and manage detailed communications plans, detailing activities and resources necessary for implementation and providing recommendations for continuous improvement / best practice.

3. 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.

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

5. Build relationships and provide direction / influence to senior project managers and external industry parties / funding organisations where appropriate.

6. Provide guidance on all external communications activity undertaken by project personnel including Programme Director, Project Managers and Scheme Sponsors, delivering consistency with the approved G&CA communications strategy and in accordance with Network Rail’s corporate policies.

7. Assist with delivery of Network Rail’s corporate internal communications programme and act as a conduit for material/information for corporate comms channels.

8. Check that all branding used on the project complies with Network Rail’s corporate policy on branding, visual identity and image.

9. Produce regular reports on all communications activities on the project, including budget.

In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be:

·Significant experience within corporate communications, especially property and development projects

·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

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

·Educated to degree level

The Manchester Programme

The Manchester, Salford, and Stockport Stations Programme will be the top priority programme of focus for the Communication Manager. It has been set up to develop and deliver a collaborative vision for seven stations in Greater Manchester (Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Victoria, Deansgate, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, and Stockport) so that they are fit for a growing city. Whilst the commission is by and for Network Rail, it is vital to the future success of the Programme that we fully consider the needs and aspirations of our collaboration partners and key stakeholders.

Network Rail and its partners & stakeholders, including Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Northern Trains, and Department for Transport), are working together to bring together land, infrastructure, and resources to create a better-connected City Centre with stations fit for the future. All activity is driven towards driving public value.

This is a high-profile Programme and one in which the rail industry has the opportunity to tell a positive story of change. This is an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of one of the country's most exciting development agendas and help to lead the way in the Rail Industry to broadcast our ambition and support economic growth.