Duration: Fixed term of 12 months (Please note, secondments are subject to line manager approval, please discuss this with them before applying).
Location: This role is based in London Waterloo General Offices, and requires 3 days attendance in the office per week. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered.
Band & Salary: Band 1A, £86,730 – £103,907
About the team.
You will lead a team of 12–13, providing guidance, motivation, and clear direction during a key period of transformation. We need someone who can influence at all levels – shaping conversations with managers and championing growth within their own team. As the first point of contact, you’ll steer the team with confidence, ensuring they remain supported and focused.
What does the average day look like?
This is a fast-paced, strategic role at the centre of how Network Rail communicates with its people and senior leaders. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team and other senior stakeholders, you will provide trusted advice on communication strategy, shaping clear and impactful messaging that supports business priorities and major programmes. Leading a team of senior communications business partners who function as the communications leads for each national function, you’ll also role ensures consistent delivery across the organisation, including managing complex and often sensitive topics, navigating reputationally challenging issues, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders including trade unions.
The breadth of stakeholders is significant, requiring strong judgement and the ability to balance multiple priorities across the business. A major focus in the coming period will be supporting communications around the transition to Great British Railways, including a significant period of organisational change and disruption expected later in the year. Alongside leading the team, you will strengthen leadership communication capability through coaching, toolkits and practical resources, helping senior leaders and programme teams communicate with clarity and confidence. You’ll also collaborate with the wider Communications leadership team to drive cross-business campaigns, continuously improve communications standards, and deputise for the Director of Internal Communications and Engagement when required.
Who are we looking for.
We’re looking for a highly experienced communications leader and people manager who thrives in complex, large-scale organisations. This role requires someone who can lead through others – managing a multi-layered team of senior communications professionals and creating the conditions for a high-performing, engaged and collaborative function.
Strong people leadership is essential. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing managers, leading a dispersed team across a large organisation, and driving performance through clear expectations, coaching and accountability. Acting as a custodian of the team, this role will shape the culture, standards, and ways of working that enable experienced professionals to deliver at their best. Experience operating in large, complex, or multinational organisations is important, particularly in environments undergoing significant change or transformation. The role requires someone who is comfortable navigating ambiguity, tackling complex challenges that don’t always have clear answers, and guiding teams and leaders through periods of organisational change.
Above all, we’re looking for a strategic communicator who can influence at the most senior levels, build strong relationships across a broad and diverse stakeholder landscape, and lead a team that delivers high-impact communications in a fast-moving, high-profile environment.
Qualifications and experience
- Education to degree level or a professional communications qualification (e.g., IoIC, CIPR, PRCA)
- Extensive experience working in a communications function at a strategic level in a large organisation
- Experience of external communications and stakeholder engagement
- Evidence of having successfully managed internal communications to a widely dispersed workforce, including developing and delivering multi-disciplinary communication programmes
- Experience of working productively in partnership with senior leaders, coaching, and influencing them to deliver effective messaging
- Experience of successfully managing communications teams to deliver high quality work
- Wide knowledge and understanding of new and innovative best practice communications to drive engagement and shape culture
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills
- Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way
- Ability to negotiate and influence effectively with all levels of an organisation
- Experience in developing and maintaining a wide network of stakeholder contacts
- Demonstrable experience in working in a collaborative way
- Experience in problem solving and generating solutions
- Proven ability to work in an adaptable way
Additional experience
- Experience of managing complex projects to completion
- Experience of working within a unionised environment and/or regulated sector
- Experience of directing and managing agency support
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