External Relations Officer

Role – External Relations Officer

Contract – Permanent

With more than 5,000 employees, ScotRail plays a vital role in serving the people and communities of Scotland. We recognise a modern and diverse workforce, encouraged to use their talents, and develop their skills, is integral to our success in serving and reflecting the communities of Scotland. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and have also set ourselves ambitious sustainability targets including having a carbon-free railway in Scotland by 2035.

Not your average role….

ScotRail’s communications team is looking for an External Relations Officer to support the delivery of all aspects of ScotRail’s Communications strategy for stakeholder relationships, with the aim of protecting and enhancing its reputation.

Reporting to the External Relations Manager, the primary focus of the role is to support key areas of external relations, managing and maintaining relationships with key political, business, and other stakeholders, preparing briefings on key political developments for ScotRail’s senior team, and assisting with organising and managing key regional and political engagement and events, as well as the handling of political correspondence.

What you bring

* Educated to Degree level or relevant experience.

* At least three years previous experience of working in external relations/public affairs or the Scottish and/or UK political systems.

* Strong communications skills, including experience of communicating with different external audiences and ability to support political correspondence.

* Experience of building and maintaining collaborative relationships – both internally and with external stakeholders.

* Experience of the broader ‘communications mix’, for example, media, but in particular public affairs and broader stakeholder/partner engagement.

* Caseworker experience or experience of responding to stakeholder correspondence.

What we offer you

ScotRail offer an excellent rewards package including:

* Contributory Final Salary Pension scheme.

* Free and reduced rate rail travel for you and your family.

* Generous holiday allowance.

* Enhanced company sick pay and family leave including maternity, paternity, and adoption.

* Life Insurance cover for 4 x annual salary.

* Contributory lifestyle benefit options including discounts at hundreds of retailers, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and healthcare cashback plan.

Please note that due to the volume of interest received these vacancies could close prior to the published date.

Selection Process

Selection process: A competency-based interview will form the initial stage of the selection process, along with a written task. The final stage for successful candidates will be a medical questionnaire. Appointees must submit at least two satisfactory references, Disclosure Scotland clearance and complete a six-month probation period. Training initially involves attendance on our virtual Induction Training Programme.

Provisional interview dates will take place in mid-December 2024.

Equal Opportunities

ScotRail is four times accredited as a Top Employer, has achieved Leaders in Diversity and is a Disability Confident Employer. We value, celebrate, and respect the diversity our people and aim to inspire, attract, retain, and develop the best talent. Because we value diversity and the benefits it brings, we want to continue improving the diversity of our people and particularly welcome applications from women, young people, LGBT+ people, people with a disability, and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.