Strategic Communications Lead: Rail Stakeholders

Network Rail; Blackfriars; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Pension schemes

Rail travel discounts for you and your

family

Volunteer or carers leave

Rail and Underground travel subsidies

Gym Pass

Benefits platform

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Communications Manager for South Eastern Railway to shape external communications and engagement across key stakeholders, media, and public affairs. Based in London with hybrid exposure and a 12‑month fixed term contract, you will build relationships and lead proactive campaigns to protect and enhance the company's reputation.

You will work within the Stakeholder Relations team, coordinating with operational, infrastructure, and commercial colleagues to deliver clear

Qualifications

• Significant experience within corporate communications.
• 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.
• Educated to degree level.
• Experience of working within an agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage relationships with key external stakeholders across several lines of route.
• Develop and deliver effective communications strategies and proactive external campaigns for key projects.
• Provide timely updates on operational developments and bring stakeholder insight back into the business.
• Manage communications across media, public affairs and social media, responding to stakeholder issues as they arise.
• Create engaging content for external channels, including social media and potentially video content.
• Draft clear and timely responses to media enquiries, adapting messaging for different audiences and channels.
• Collaborate with teams across the integrated business to develop external communications narratives.
• Represent the organisation at external meetings, presenting updates and building trusted relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Significant experience in corporate

Public relations in high‑profile org

Excellent writing skills

Influencing & relationship building

Media relations knowledge

Degree level education

Agency experience

Education

Degree level

Job description

Network Rail is seeking a Communications Manager for South Eastern Railway to shape external communications and engagement across key stakeholders, media, and public affairs. Based in London with hybrid exposure and a 12‑month fixed term contract, you will build relationships and lead proactive campaigns to protect and enhance the company's reputation.

You will work within the Stakeholder Relations team, coordinating with operational, infrastructure, and commercial colleagues to deliver clear