Head of Public Affairs

Who are we?

First Rail is one of the UK's most experienced rail operators, carrying more than 345m passengers across franchises (Great Western Railway and Avanti West Coast) and our award-winning open access operators (Lumo and Hull Trains). We operate all types of passenger railways - intercity, commuter, regional and sleeper services.

Lumo and Hull Trains are part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with more than 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and more sustainable. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

Our people are key to our success, and we are recruiting an engaged, empowered, multi-skilled and flexible family of colleagues who live and breathe our values of:

• Being proud and passionate people
• Sustainability at our heart
• Staying safe and healthy
• Always learning and improving
• Inclusive one team culture

About the role

The Head of Public Affairs is responsible for shaping and delivering the public affairs agenda for First Rail Open Access operations including Lumo and Hull Trains. This role provides strategic guidance to leadership, monitors political and policy landscapes, leading government relations, lobbying efforts, engaging across UK and Scottish parliamentary activities, Welsh Assembly and devolved regional authorities. You will be a senior spokesperson, providing authoritative comment across national, regional and trade media.

The postholder collaborates across First Rail and FirstGroup, industry bodies, and community partners, integrating public affairs with external and internal communications to support business objectives and drive the future development of Open Access operations, often working to counter misinformation on Open Access by better reflecting the strength of the economic, environmental and social value.

"This role ultimately blends public affairs, political engagement and external communications, acting as a strategic adviser and a visible external representative of both businesses."

About you

You are a passionate and creative public affairs professional with a proven track record of managing diverse stakeholders and driving effective political engagement. You have strong communication skills and experience operating at a mid- to senior-management level, you are confident engaging across all levels of an organisation. You bring a balanced mix of strategic insight with hands-on delivery, and experience working with agencies—comfortable leading key activity in-house while collaborating effectively with external partners.

You thrive in both smaller, multi-functional environments and large PLC settings, demonstrating flexibility, initiative, and the ability to adapt quickly. Your background includes successful work in media and stakeholder relations, ideally with exposure to government engagement, and you're skilled at building strong, credible relationships.

While industry experience is an advantage, it's not essential what matters is your enthusiasm for the subject matter and your ability to add value. You're motivated by the opportunity to strengthen how Open Access co-ordinates agency support and maximises in-house capability, helping to shape impactful public affairs outcomes.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the national conversation around open access rail, influencing how the industry evolves while working with two of the sector's most innovative, award-winning and customer-focused operators.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• A multi-functional communications professional who can work confidently and flexibly at all levels across their brief, recognising the smaller nature of these businesses.
• Set the overarching strategy for media relations, ensuring positive coverage of the Lumo and Hull Trains brands, and FirstRail on Open Access/non-franchised operations.
• Work to ensure Lumo and Hull Trains are at the forefront of industry innovation, sustainability and Open Access messaging.
• Be the main contact for senior level media engagement, including the ability to represent the companies in quotes and features, alongside the MD, both locally and nationally.
• Lead top level stakeholder engagement, including with local, regional and national transport bodies.
• Lead on key stakeholder partnerships, such as community groups/sponsorships.
• Bring together the key elements of Public Affairs, Public Relations and Stakeholders, as well as an overview of associated internal communications.
• Contribute to associated marketing/comms strategies with the Head of Digital and Marketing and Commercial Director.
• Work across the wider industry with groups such as RDG, RailPartners and major projects such as the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
• Play a key role in promoting and influencing the future of Open Access Operations.
• Work across the wider FirstGroup, including with industry partners and other train companies on common themes.
• Be part of the Senior Management team of both Hull Trains and Lumo.
• Participate in on-call media support arrangements, especially in championing customer messaging - and meeting Passenger Information During Disruption (PIDD) requirements - including with social media.

About the location

You must be located within a 60-minute commute of Newcastle upon Tyne. Our offices are located near Newcastle Central Station. There will also be regular travel across England, Scotland and Wales.

Working pattern

37.5 hours per week.

The Reward

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme – We will pay in a minimum of 10% (5% employee contribution and 5% employer contribution) to a maximum total contribution of 20%.
• Incentive Scheme/Bonus of up to 10% of your annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Travel Offers – Free travel on Lumo services and travel offers for bus and rail tickets and Day Rover Rail tickets at a discounted price for friends and family (after 6 months of service).
• Shopping & Lifestyle Discounts
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Employee Share Plans (Save as you Earn and Buy as you Earn)
• NEXUS – Tyne and Wear Metro Discount
• Life Assurance Cover 4 x your annual salary
• Income Protection Scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Access to a digital GP 24/7
• Tax Benefit Bike Scheme

We all belong at "Lumo and Hull Trains". FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.