Network Rail
About Us
Scotland’s Railway is a vital part of a large family, covering a vast geographical area from the Borders to Thurso. We manage almost 20 percent of the UK rail network, providing essential services for commuters, business and leisure travelers, including cross-border and rural routes. We operate up to 50 freight services daily and are committed to growth. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us, and we empower our colleagues to do the right thing for everyone who uses the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices, take responsibility for risks, and prioritize safety and wellbeing. We encourage flexible working to accommodate diverse lifestyles and are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities as a Disability Confident Leader employer. Our goal is to deliver a railway that is safe, reliable, affordable, and provides exceptional customer service.
About the Role
You will build and maintain strong relationships with communities and key stakeholders, including statutory and non-statutory organizations. Through positive engagement, you will promote Network Rail’s capabilities, advocate for the railway, and represent the interests of communities affected by our engineering activities and project development.
Network Rail follows a structured pay framework. Any offered salary will be within the advertised pay range. If your current salary exceeds the maximum, you will transfer at your current base pay.
Position Details
- Salary: £35,582 – £43,400 per annum
- Closing Date: Midnight, 28th August 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Proof of all essential qualifications will be required.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and implement engagement plans to build and maintain strong relationships with communities and key stakeholders.
- Lead public engagement activities to support current and emerging business requirements, including managing project engagement to secure necessary agreements and stakeholder support.
- Establish and facilitate forums with communities and stakeholders to inform communication, identify issues, and mitigate risks.
- Oversee enquiries arising from works and projects, ensuring delivery teams take ownership of resolving concerns and implementing mitigation measures.
- Lead Community Impact Assessments prior to planned works and project development.
- Manage complex, high-profile, and escalated complaints and enquiries.
- Liaise with and support the Community Relations team in complaint and enquiry management.
- Support partner organizations in developing their capability to represent Scotland’s Railway effectively.
- Support the delivery of Scotland’s Railway safety program, advancing community safety objectives.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to maximize the reach and impact of engagement and communication activities.
- Promote and protect the Network Rail brand, ensuring consistency and compliance across communications.
- Contribute to departmental reporting by providing evidence of outputs, outcomes, and evaluation measures, identifying emerging opportunities and risks.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in corporate communications.
- Proven track record in public relations within a high-profile organization.
- Excellent writing skills and strategic thinking ability.
- Excellent influencing skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Thorough knowledge of the media and its operations.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Educated to degree level.
- Experience working within an agency environment.
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and welcome applications from everyone. Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and will provide reasonable adjustments to support candidates with disabilities during the application and interview process.
