Head of Public Affairs

**Why LNER?**

Our vision is to be the most loved, progressive and responsible way to travel for generations to come, and we're looking for the people who can deliver this, every day.

Since we took over the East Coast route, we've been changing the face of travel. Our new fleet of Azuma trains are delivering faster journey times, more space, comfort and greater reliability. Our exciting plans to embrace new ideas, experiences, backgrounds and ambitions make this the ideal time to join. We were the first and are currently the only franchised rail operator to achieve customer numbers back to pre-pandemic levels and we are leading the charge to transform rail through digital and customer focussed innovation.

Bringing passion. Being bold. Always caring. Owning it. They're the values that make us LNER.

Are you on board?

**What you'll be doing**:
As the Head of Public Affairs, you will play a lead role in the delivery of LNER's strategic business plan through the development and delivery of an integrated public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy. As the lead within our award-winning communications team, you will also build and manage the reputation of LNER with our key stakeholders right across our route, and beyond.

To be successful in this position you will have demonstrable ability to quickly establish personal credibility, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. From day one you will be looking to develop targeted communications and engagement with complex stakeholder groups including MPs, MSPs, local authorities, transport bodies and industry groups relevant to LNER and areas along our route. You'll need to an established policy Thought Leader and be experienced representing the company at the highest levels of government ensuring that the needs of the business are represented accordingly.

You will be delivering industry leading strategy using innovative and impactful techniques, and will lead and inspire public affairs and stakeholder engagement within the team, providing strategic guidance and tactical support, and provide expert advice internally on all forms of stakeholder communication.

As Head of Public Affairs you will oversee the development and implementation of a Community Engagement Plan, that forms an integral part of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy. As part of this work, you'll be accountable for delivery of a powerful narrative, including the vision and messages, ensuring these are used consistently and creatively inside and outside the business.

You will work alongside the communications leads with our internal project partners to integrate and manage strategic stakeholder communications for LNER, including the relevant boards and governance teams as well as working closely with direct reports to manage delivery of an integrated public affairs and stakeholder engagement programme mapped to national, regional, local and industry audiences - monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness. Demonstrable ability to develop and deliver engaging and impactful briefing notes and papers.

Teamwork and collaboration is also an essential aspect of the role as it will see you providing exemplary leadership and line management to a high performing team. Undertaking appraisals, supervisions, team meetings and engaging, developing and supporting staff to maximise potential and to achieve LNER's strategic objectives.

**What you'll need**:
**To be our Head of Public Affairs you should have the following competencies and skills**:

- Excellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Extensive experience of working in a fast-paced environment leading on complex, challenging and sensitive issues, to deadlines.
- Substantial experience of leading external stakeholder engagement in a complex environment.
- A strong understanding of the business, economic and political environment; and an understanding of factors, trends and issues that influence the company's business performance.
- Someone with the ability and wiliness to deliver and execute the day to day as well as think strategically.
- Knowledge of new technologies, channels and the integration of communications to engage a broad range of audiences, including at community level.
- Proven success as a trusted adviser to senior leadership.
- Strong ability to build, sustain and share solid and collaborative professional relationships with relevant groups inside and outside the business and across the public, private and social sectors.
- Personally robust - able to juggle issues simultaneously and work under considerable pressure.
- Experience of providing outstanding leadership and management of a team, section or department including line management of direct reports.
- Senior management level experience of programme and project management, including financial and budget management.

**What you'll get**:

- Free travel on LNER + 75% off