Who We Are
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.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer 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.
We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here.
About the role
You will build and maintain effective relationships with communities and key stakeholders, including statutory and non-statutory organisations. Through positive engagement, promote Network Rail's capabilities, advocate for the railway, and represent the interests of communities and stakeholders affected by our engineering activities and project development.
Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered to you will be within the pay range advertised. If your current salary is above the maximum shown, you will transfer into the new role on your current base pay. For more information, please refer to your pay.
Salary: The starting salary for this position is £35,582 rising to £43,400 per annum.
Closing date: Midnight of 28th August 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please note proof of all essential qualifications will be required.
To submit your application, click apply now. For tips to help you prepare and apply click here
If you work in a function that has gone live with Employee Self-Service please click 'Apply' to login and submit your CV/Application Form online. If not, please email your Application Form to scotlandresourcingenquiries@networkrail.co.uk quoting the IRC number of the vacancy in your application.
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 contact Scotland Resourcing Enquiries, ScotlandResourcingEnquiries@networkrail.co.uk
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network
Your experience and skills
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and implement engagement plans that build and maintain strong relationships with communities and key stakeholders, including statutory and non-statutory organisations.
- Lead public engagement activities that support current operational and emerging business requirements. Including:
- Managing project engagement activities to help secure the necessary agreements, permissions and stakeholder support required for the successful delivery of projects and works.
- Establish and facilitate forums with communities and stakeholders to inform communication activity, identify emerging issues and proactively mitigate risks.
- Oversee enquiries arising from works and projects, ensuring delivery teams take ownership and accountability for resolving concerns and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
- Lead Community Impact Assessments in advance of planned works and project development.
- Assume responsibility for the management of complex, high-profile and escalated complaints and enquiries.
- Liaise with and support the Community Relations team in the effective management and resolution of complaints and enquiries.
- Support partner organisations in developing their capability to represent Scotland's Railway effectively during the delivery of works, promoting positive engagement with communities and stakeholders.
- Support the delivery of Scotland's Railway safety programme, working with key stakeholders and partner agencies to raise awareness and advance community safety objectives in line with the wider social performance agenda.
- Work collaboratively with partner organisations, leveraging shared resources and opportunities to maximise the reach, effectiveness and impact of engagement and communication activities.
- Promote and protect the Network Rail brand, ensuring consistency and compliance across all communications and engagement assets where appropriate.
- Contribute to departmental reporting by providing evidence of outputs, outcomes and evaluation measures, while identifying emerging opportunities, risks and recommended actions.
Essential
- Significant experience within corporate communications
- Proven track record in public relations activity in a high profile organisation
- Excellent writing skills and ability to think strategically
- Excellent influencing skills and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Thorough knowledge of the media and how it operates
Desirable
- Educated to degree level
- Experience of working within an agency environment