Public Affairs Officer

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

The Corporate Affairs function within South Western Railway is responsible for all engagement with political stakeholders, from MP level down to parish councils and schools.

Reporting into and supporting the Senior Stakeholder and Public Affairs Manager, the successful applicant will help build positive relationships with political stakeholders across the South Western Railway (SWR) network. They will provide timely and informed communication and showcase positive stories to influencers and decision makers with interest in SWR.

The creation of this new role will support the implementation of SWR's communication strategy, helping to coordinate and manage a broad range of stakeholders including Government and shadow ministers and officials at the Department for Transport, owning group shareholders, Network Rail, passenger groups and influential MPs across the region.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Supporting with the day-to-day operation of the external communications team within the Corporate Affairs function. The work and activities required by this role are varied and often require reacting to events and news developments as they occur.

Examples of the activities required within this role include:

• Helping to respond to incoming correspondence from stakeholders, including researching the answers to questions
• Monitoring political developments relevant to the railways and SWR in particular
• Researching topics of relevance and supporting the Senior Stakeholder and Public Affairs Manager with preparing briefings for senior business figures and members of the Executive
• Attendance at meetings in and around Westminster and across the network as required to further the communications strategy
• Helping to organise meetings, conferences and other events as needed over the course of the year
• Providing flexible support to the wider Corporate Affairs team as needed

You'll need to be:

• Familiarity with the operation of Westminster and the UK political scene, through academic study and/or previous employment in parliament or agency/inhouse public affairs roles
• Good written and verbal communicator with good interpersonal sensitivity and political acumen
• Ability to build network of industry contacts
• Confident and competent presentation skills and personal presentation
• Preparedness to work with a variety of managers and stakeholders, establishing rapport quickly with a diverse audience
• Ability to understand complex information quickly

Desirable

• Undergraduate degree in politics or a similar relevant field
• Experience of working within the railway industry, including associated processes and systems
• Some understanding of continuous improvement principles
• Familiarity with the use of social media

About the location

South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport. 

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5.30pm

The successful applicant would be required to be part of the out of hours on call rota for the external communications team.

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, 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.

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.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity