Senior Media Relations Manager

We’re looking for a brilliant communicator with a strong media relations background who loves working with people, has excellent people management skills and wants to tell great stories.
Can you spot a potential news story or social media hit? Do you enjoy a fast pace and occasional pressure and can you transform a technical briefing into compelling content to tell our story to passengers and the public?
We want someone who can build and maintain relationships with key contacts across the media – and also within the rail industry – managing a busy press office as we communicate how we are building a greener, more reliable railway to help keep communities and businesses across Scotland connected.
We’re looking for someone who has excellent judgement, who can guide some of the most senior railway managers in the country one minute, and next, craft a message to passengers to help them understand what’s going on with their train service.
You’ll have the opportunity to help shape the image of some of the world's most beautiful railway lines and iconic structures, while working alongside thousands of amazing colleagues too.
Based in Glasgow, you’ll be part of Network Rail Scotland’s Media & Public Affairs team but working with communications colleagues across Britain as well as our counterparts in train operating companies, suppliers and Government. You will report into Head of Media and Public Affairs
This role will also involve occasional out-of-hours and on-call working. This role also requires Security Vetting.

About the role (External)

Here are some of the duties your role will include: -
• Plan and control a full-media, 24-hours a day, year-round press desk service for the business
• Take part in on-call arrangements to deal with out-of-hours media requirements on behalf of the company
• Devise and implement national media campaigns in line with company priorities and objectives
• Analyse and manage the development and delivery of strategies and activities in the media environment that enable the delivery of objectives contained in the company’s national media and communications strategies
• Manage effectively the processes, quality standards and operational systems for national media co-ordination, planning and information exchange.
• Manage, direct and control the output of press releases, briefing sessions, photo opportunities and facility visits for the media. Organise broadcasts as necessary. Monitor media comment and prepare suitable responses aimed at clarifying / correcting any misconceptions.
• Inform the Head of Media of all significant media enquiries or activity.
• Monitor the effectiveness of press coverage for Network Rail, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Maintain regular contact with editors and senior journalists so that they understand our role and policies and are aware of key stories
• Implement the major incident communications plan as required
• Where required, provide direct management and development of a team including carrying out regular 121s, appraisals, objective setting and performance monitoring
What you will bring to the role: -

• Substantial experience in media relations
• A proven track record in journalism or public relations in a high profile industry
• Excellent writing and broadcasting skills
• The experience and personal credibility to work effectively with senior managers
• Strong influencing skills
• Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way
• Ability to develop and maintain a wide network of media contacts
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to work under pressure
It’s desirable if you have it to help give you context to the role: -
• Evidence of good planning and financial skills, with the ability to deliver projects and activities on time and within budget
• Educated to degree level, Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

At Network Rail, our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!
Scotland's Railway is part of this large family, and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.
Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don’t always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.