Community Rail Manager

Community Rail Manager

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£38,049 to £44,763 per annum

Location: Chelmsford*

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 2nd November 2025

*This is a hybrid working role, requiring attendance at designated work locations, such as offices and stations across the County, on average 1–2 days per week, subject to business needs. The role also involves occasional evening and weekend work, with time off in lieu (TOIL) provided.

Our Sustainable Transport team’s priority is to create a Safer, Greener, Healthier County by promoting sustainable travel choices including improving rail connectivity.

The Community Rail Manager will lead the development and delivery of community rail initiatives, working with rail operators, Network Rail, local authorities, and community partners to enhance the accessibility, attractiveness, and integration of rail travel.

The role will champion community rail as part of a wider sustainable transport strategy, requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships and budgets. The postholder will ensure that rail plays a key role in supporting economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental objectives.

Accountabilities

• Lead and develop the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) team ensuring delivery of the annual Activity Plan, agreed social outcomes and accreditation
• Promote and increase the visibility of community rail lines and the work the CRP do, supporting ECC’s wider objectives on sustainable transport, pride of place and environment; support Community Rail Network ‘four pillar’ strategy and national community rail objectives related to Community Rail
• Lead and develop the relationships with key stakeholders including rail industry partners, local authorities, community groups and the CRP steering group to deliver strategic improvements and community rail initiatives.
• Recruit and develop volunteer station adopters supporting them to enhance local stations by improving appearance, fostering community pride, and promoting rail travel through volunteer-led projects and engagement activities.
• Identify and secure external funding opportunities, managing budgets and ensuring value for money in all projects.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of community rail engagement initiatives, using data and insights to inform future strategy and investment.
• Provide strategic advice and regular reporting to senior officers, Members, and stakeholders on community rail engagement and performance.
• Lead and support community rail-based engagement programmes, promoting social inclusion, accessibility, focusing specifically on the most vulnerable and hardest to reach in society
• Represent Essex County Council at regional and national forums as necessary, advocating for rail improvements and community rail development.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to Level 3 (A level) standard or equivalent by experience
• Experience in community rail or community engagement, including managing stakeholder relationships.
• Understanding of wider sustainable transport landscape
• Strong programme and budget management skills, with experience of securing and managing external funding.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at senior levels and in public forums.
• Experience of leading teams and delivering projects that achieve measurable social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
• Knowledge of community rail principles, sustainable transport policy, and the role of rail in supporting climate and connectivity goals.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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