Strategic Communications Manager 12M FTC

Closing Date for Applications

23rd October 2026

Salary scale: £44,482 - £52,000 per annum

What is the purpose of this job?

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is entering a once-in-a-generation transformation as the rail industry transitions to Great British Railways (GBR) - bringing track and train back together under a single guiding mind and moving the sector decisively from private to public ownership. This shift offers the opportunity to create a more integrated, accountable, customer-centred, and cost-effective railway.

As RDG plays a critical role in supporting the transition to GBR and delivering on its own Board Priorities, effective strategic communications are essential to building understanding, engagement and confidence across the industry. The Strategic Communications Manager will join the team to lead communications that support these priorities working directly with the Head of Strategic Communications, and closely with the wider communications team and the Director of Communications to develop and deliver communications strategies across key workstreams. The role will also lead communications colleagues on several programmes of work, ensuring key projects are completed on time and to the highest standards, while fostering collaboration and team development.

What can I expect to do in this job? 

Whilst not an exhaustive list below provides some of the key responsibilities for the role;

• Support the Head of Strategic Communications to develop and deliver communications strategies that advance RDG's Board Priorities and support the transition to Great British Railways (GBR).
• Lead the planning and delivery of high-quality, impactful communications activity across multiple workstreams, ensuring consistent messaging, strong stakeholder engagement and measurable outcomes.
• Develop and deliver proactive, multi-channel communications campaigns that support organisational priorities, industry reform objectives and key transformation programmes.
• Translate complex industry reform, policy and transition developments into clear, engaging communications for colleagues, members and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively across the Communications team to ensure communications activity is integrated, delivered to a consistently high standard and aligned with organisational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, industry partners and member organisations to identify opportunities, gather insight and develop compelling communications content.
• Support the delivery of RDG's transition to GBR communications strategy, helping colleagues, members and stakeholders understand the implications of industry reform and public ownership.
• Develop and implement communications and engagement plans that build awareness, confidence and readiness for organisational and industry change.
• Work closely with transition leads and stakeholders across RDG, Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), Network Rail and the wider rail industry to support communications and engagement activity relating to GBR.
• Lead communications support for key GBR comms moments, including the development of leadership briefings, stakeholder updates, presentations, events and supporting materials.
• Facilitate engagement activities, workshops and listening opportunities that encourage collaboration, support behavioural change and help shape organisational culture through the transition.
• Identify communications risks and issues relating to industry reform and organisational change, developing mitigation plans and advising senior stakeholders as appropriate.
• Produce high-quality written, visual and digital content, working independently or with agency partners to bring communications campaigns and strategic priorities to life.
• Manage external agencies and suppliers, ensuring clear briefs, effective performance management and delivery of communications assets to agreed budgets, timescales and standards.
• Monitor and evaluate communications activity, using insight and performance data to assess impact, demonstrate value and drive continuous improvement.
• Contribute to a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative Communications team, supporting professional development and fostering a positive team culture.

Who will my key contacts be?

• Industry communications and marketing colleagues within RDG’s membership (train operating companies, Network Rail and owning groups). Manage and develop relationships with communications professionals at senior level.
• Suppliers and agencies – Work closely with suppliers and agencies to form strong working relationships that delivers results.
• RDG staff and directors – ensuring good cross-organisation collaboration and productive flow of information to enable swift rebuttals and favourable proactive coverage;
• External stakeholders – Aligning our industry plans and ensuring flow of information between RDG and key external partners such as DFTO, DFT, Great British Railways and Network Rail.

Requirements

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

• Leadership - able to play a leading role in managing and delivering communications activity, either directly or through members of the communications team.
• Project management - the post holder will have good project management skills to deliver multiple projects at the same time, on budget and of the highest possible quality. Being a driving force for delivery comms outputs, keeping colleagues informed and upwardly managing senior colleagues on progress being made.
• Stakeholder engagement - the post holder will need to work with multiple stakeholders from across the industry and demonstrate the ability to listen to different views and focus and devise effective communications off the back of this.
• Strategic thinking – the role involves corporate-wide horizon scanning to help to achieve results and to solve and anticipate problems and building coalitions to help find solutions.
• 5+ years comms / marketing experience – the role requires the post holder to have broad communication discipline expertise, with a solid understanding on how to deliver across them from events, stakeholder, media, social and marketing.
• Campaign management - Evidence of success in leading the devising and implementation of campaign plans and/or campaigns to influence behaviours, and being able to measure success.
• Content creation – using Canva and basic video skills to produce in-house videos, and work with agencies that create engaging content adhering to RDG brand guidelines and templates.
• Experience of dealing directly with senior colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders to provide communications.
• Ability to build relationships and develop networks with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise good judgement and adapt plans and approaches in accordance with a shifting external landscape.

Benefits

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% discount on rail travel (for work and leisure), plus international rail discounts
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Two Personal Development Days are granted to employees annually
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave – 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme – up to 8.64% employer contribution
• Subsidised Private Medical Insurance (Vitality PPP) and Health Cash Plan (Healthshield)
• Access to our flexible benefits portal - a central hub for accessing retail discounts, shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment perks
• Flexible working arrangements available