Senior Communications Business Partnering Manager

Location
Glasgow, GB

Department Name
Scotland

About Network Rail
At Network Rail, we're the publicly owned operator of Britain's rail infrastructure.

We're trusted custodians of one of our nation's most critical public assets : Scotland's Railway
.
We keep Scotland moving - connecting people and places, supporting businesses, public services and communities - driving economic, social and environmental success.

Our work spans almost 20% of the UK network and between 2024 and 2029, we're investing £4.8 billion to enhance our stations and routes, supporting new passenger and freight rolling stock.

Working together with train operators, our investment will mean a more reliable, climate resilient railway; a better customer experience; and greener, more sustainable travel that links cities, towns, urban and rural communities with each other and with the wider UK.

But it's our people who make this progress possible. At Network Rail Scotland, you'll find an inclusive, supportive and flexible working culture where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real. Join us.

This is your railway – and it's moving forward.
Brief Description
This is more than a communications role, it's a career with purpose.

As part of a newly formed, fast-paced and ambitious Strategic Communications team, you'll play a key role in shaping how we tell the story of Scotland's Railway. You'll work closely with senior leaders to deliver impactful, insight-led communications that support our people, drive performance, and connect our railway with the communities it serves.

This is your opportunity to make a real difference - influencing change, building trust, and helping to deliver one of the most significant investment programmes in Scotland's infrastructure.

You'll be joining a supportive, inclusive and flexible working environment where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is visible.

If you're looking for a role where you can lead with purpose, collaborate with brilliant people, and help shape the future of rail in Scotland — we'd love to hear from you.

About The Role (External)
What to expect?

• Develop, drive and implement communications plans, working collaboratively as a business partner, to include content, campaigns and key channels, in order to support the delivery of business objectives and drive performance.
• E stablish and maintain strong and trusting relationships with key stakeholders, working collaboratively in order to support the identification, development and delivery their internal and external communications goals.
• Manage announcements, briefings and events for the function, including monitoring comments and preparing suitable responses to enhance employee engagement, support culture change and ultimately improve performance
• Manage the processes, quality standards and operational systems so that functional communications can be run effectively.
• Develop content and materials as appropriate to promote business critical initiatives from the function for national audiences and monitor the effectiveness of communications, taking corrective action where necessary, proactively highlight any significant issues and use to drive improvements.
• Coach, advise and challenge senior leaders in understanding the impact of their communications and how they contribute to the achievement of functional objectives.
• Lead, support and contribute to change programmes, acting as a change agent, driving and championing the implementation of communications solutions within the supported business area, gaining acceptance from key stakeholders.
• Liaise with Communications Business Partners in other areas of the business in order to work collaboratively on cross business/geographical communications and issues.
• Build productive two-way relationships with external comms and external engagement teams to keep them informed of relevant issues as well as identify, and access their expertise when required.
• Support our early careers and talent attraction teams market key roles and employment pathways.
• Implement the major incident communications plan as required.

Essential
What We're Looking For

• Educated to degree level or a professional communications qualification (eg IoIC, CIPR, PRCA) or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills
• Customer service mindset and demonstrable collaborative approach
• Evidence of having managed internal communications in a large organisation, including developing and delivering multi-disciplinary communication programmes
• Experience of working in partnership with senior leaders, coaching and influencing them to deliver effective messaging
• Proven ability to grasp, understand and promote complex and sensitive issues in a persuasive and sensible way
• Knowledge and understanding new and innovative best practice communications to drive engagement and shape culture
• Ability to shape and deliver key messages to various audiences and their individual needs
• Experience of managing a team
• Proven track record of operating in a complex working environment and managing ambiguity

Desired

• Office 365 experience
• Design, Canva and / or video editing experience
• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.
• Experience of working within a unionised environment and/or regulated sector.

How To Apply (External)
Salary:
£46,701 - £55,411

Network Rail Benefits – To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

Closing date:
Midnight of 2 nd October 2025

Interview Date:
Tuesday 21 st October 2025

Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency based interview and presentation.

Please note proof of all essential qualifications will be required.
Late applications will not be accepted.

We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information