Senior Communications Manager

TN United Kingdom; York; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Communications Manager to lead and implement effective communication strategies aligned with national objectives. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to create impactful content and manage reputational risks. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in corporate communications, a degree or professional qualification, and a proven ability to engage effectively with senior management. Join this dynamic team in York or King's Cross and make a significant impact on key projects while enjoying a 12-month secondment opportunity.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in communications.
• Substantial experience in corporate communications with high standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications plans for key projects.
• Establish strong relationships with stakeholders to support communications goals.

Skills

Corporate Communications

Stakeholder Engagement

Crisis Management

Content Creation

Project Management

Education

Degree in Communications

Professional Communications Qualification

Job description

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There is an exciting opportunity to join us in a role that is vital to our success. We are looking for a Senior Communications Manager to join our Communications team.

The role of Senior Communications Manager is to develop and deliver consistent and effective communications strategies for key projects aligned with Network Rail’s national communications strategy, ensuring that a broad range of stakeholders, including media, public affairs, community relations, and employees, are effectively engaged.

The role can be based in York or King’s Cross.

This is a 12-month secondment opportunity.

About the role (External)

Role and Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

1. Develop, drive, and implement communications plans for key projects, working collaboratively with stakeholders to create content, campaigns, and events that support business objectives and drive performance.
2. Establish and maintain strong and trusting relationships with key stakeholders to support the identification, development, and delivery of their internal communications goals.
3. Lead communications activities that present reputational risks or opportunities for the business.
4. Establish an effective network of internal and external contacts and provide direction/influence to senior managers and external industry parties where appropriate.
5. Identify and supply content for internal communications channels and act as a conduit for material/information across communications teams.
6. Provide advice and guidance on communications activities undertaken by key personnel, including directors, project managers, and sponsors, ensuring consistency with the national communications strategy and adherence to Network Rail’s corporate policies.
7. Ensure all branding complies with Network Rail’s policies on branding, visual identity, and image.
8. Evaluate communications activities on projects, from effectiveness to budget spend, to identify improvements during and after the project.
9. Create and lead a team of media relations and internal communications colleagues, including conducting regular 121s, appraisals, objective setting, and performance monitoring, as well as onboarding contractors as appropriate.
10. Implement the crisis communications plan as needed.
11. Participate in an on-call rota to respond to operational and reputational challenges out of hours.

Are you?

• Educated to degree level or a professional communications qualification (e.g., IoIC, CIPR, PRCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience in corporate communications.
• High standards of written and spoken communication.
• The experience and credibility to work effectively with senior managers.
• Proven ability to understand and promote complex and sensitive issues persuasively and sensibly.
• Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of stakeholder contacts.
• Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Do you have?

• Experience of directing and managing agency support.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.