Head of Stakeholder Engagement

An exciting opportunity: join us as our Head of Stakeholder Engagement About usDOHL is the public sector owning group for passenger rail, with responsibility for four train operators: LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express. We have a strong track record of delivering significantly improved train operations, customer service and performance and we have grown significantly since we successfully took responsibility for LNER in 2018. Today, the DOHL Group represents 25% of Britain’s railway, have almost 17,000 colleagues and make over 270 million passenger journeys possible. We are strategically positioned to be a key player in shaping and delivering the future train operating landscape. In addition to our role as an Owning Group, we continue to be the Operator of Last Resort with the capacity and capability to take ownership of additional Train Operators as required, whilst fulfilling our ambition for our operations to become industry leading.DOHL is a ‘Public Corporation’ of the Department for Transport. Whilst we work closely with the DfT and its advisers, we have our own governance and executive teams; and remain politically neutral.About the RoleThe Head of Stakeholder Engagement will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies to support DOHL’s corporate objectives. It will also be responsible for ensuring coordination and alignment across Train Operator’s stakeholder engagement activity and messaging. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, capable of managing a diverse portfolio of stakeholders, including consumer bodies, government organisations, devolved authorities, community groups, mayors, local authorities and councils. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully engaging stakeholders and fostering long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.Key Competencies of the RolePlanning and Delivery: the ability to create and implement effective plans for stakeholder engagement that align with DOHL goals and a strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of engagement activities.Analytical Skills: proficiency in analysing data and stakeholder feedback to inform decision-making and strategy adjustments.Verbal and Written Communication: exceptional ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively in both written and oral formats.Public Speaking: confidence and effectiveness in presenting to large groups, including at industry events and internal meetings.Interpersonal Skills: strong ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders across the UK.Empathy: understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of different stakeholders empathetically.Cross Team Influence: ability to lead, inspire, and develop a team of engagement and comms professionals.Collaboration: fostering a collaborative environment both within DOHL’s portfolio and across industry groups. Negotiation Skills: skilled in negotiating agreements and partnerships that are beneficial to the DOHL and its stakeholders.Conflict Resolution: ability to manage and resolve conflicts effectively, ensuring positive outcomes for all parties involved.Resource Management: efficient use of resources to achieve engagement goals without exceeding budgets.Culturally Competent: diversity awareness; the understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, ensuring inclusive engagement practices. Also the ability to engage with stakeholders from various cultural and geographical backgrounds.Proactive Problem Solving: ability to anticipate potential issues and develop mitigation strategies. Crisis Communication: skilled in managing communication during crises to maintain stakeholder trust and organisational reputation.Digital Literacy: proficient in using digital tools and platforms for stakeholder engagement, including social media, CRM systems, and analytics software.Content Creation: ability to develop high-quality content for various communication channels.Transparency: commitment to open and honest communication with stakeholders. Maintaining high ethical standards and building trust through consistent and reliable actions.Industry Knowledge: deep understanding of the industry landscape and key players, including mayors and local authorities, Transport for the North, Rail North Partnership and Transport for London.Professional Networking: ability to build a network of industry contacts that can be leveraged for DOHL’s benefit.You will be responsible for:Strategy Development and Execution:Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy aligned with the company’s goals and objectives.Coordinate and oversee DOHL TOC stakeholder engagement activity.Identify key stakeholders and map out engagement plans tailored to their needs and expectations.Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of engagement strategies and adjust as necessary.Relationship Management:Build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including political figures, government, regulatory bodies, consumer groups and community groups.Act as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, ensuring their needs and concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.Foster a culture of collaboration and open communication both internally and externally.Horizon scanning and monitoring:Maintain and update the DOHL Group stakeholder engagement databaseMonitor and report on committee meetings; stakeholder meetings; correspondence with DfT and parliamentary correspondence. Review political activity / horizon scanning and reporting to ensure Exec and Board awareness Communication and Advocacy:Develop and deliver clear, consistent, and compelling messages to stakeholders.Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and meetings with key stakeholders.Prepare and present reports, briefings, and other communications to senior management and stakeholders.Risk Management:Identify potential risks related to stakeholder relationships and develop mitigation strategies.Monitor external trends and issues that could impact stakeholder perceptions and relationships.Collaboration:Foster a high performing, collaborating team culture Work closely with other departments e.g. marketing, communications, public relations, and legal, to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with overall company strategy.Collaborate with internal teams to gather insights and feedback from stakeholders to inform decision-making and strategy development.And you will have the following Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and professional qualifications Minimum of 10 years of experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement or a related roleProven track record of successfully developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategiesExceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skillsStrong cross functional leadership/team or project management abilitiesAbility to think strategically and work effectively in a fast-paced environmentExperience with crisis management and conflict resolutionStrong analytical skills and ability to use data to inform decision-makingKnowledge of the rail industryDetailed understanding of Parliamentary process and devolved authorities.Remuneration:To £75K per annum dependant on experience. Defined Contribution (DC) pension scheme with 10% employer contribution to a 5% employee contrition. Are you ready to join a team where your ideas matter and your contributions make a real impact? At DOHL, we’re not just looking for employees; we’re looking for innovative thinkers and passionate problem-solvers who are ready to make a difference. If you want to be part of a forward-thinking company that values creativity, collaboration, and growth, we want to hear from you! Apply now and let’s build the future together – either apply via Linked In or send your CV and a covering note to: ##### StatementAt DOHL we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued. We believe that diversity enriches our team and contributes to our success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, and we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or other status. We strive to foster an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We actively promote practices that ensure fairness, eliminate biases, and support the growth and development of all employees. Join us in our mission to create a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve and fosters a culture of equity and inclusion. Together, we can build a brighter future where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.