Job Description

Job Ref:

DOH1105

Branch:

DFT Operator

Location:

London

Salary/Benefits:

Up to 47,685

Contract type:

Fixed Term

Hours:

Full Time

Hours per week:

37.5

Posted date:

17/10/2025

Closing date:

31/10/2025

Group Communications Manager:

Vacancy Details

Duration: 2 year FTC

Location:Waterloo London Offices/ (Hybrid to be discussed at interview stage)

Salary:

up to

47,685

Closing date:31/10/2025 Reports to: Ed Rowlandson-

Head of Communications Public Affairs

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO),

is the public sector owning group behind four key train operators:

LNER, Northern, Southeastern,

and

TransPennine Express

. We're here to make your rail journeys smoother, safer, and more reliable. Since taking on LNER in 2018, we've focused on delivering better train services, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting performance across the network. Today, DFTO helps 270 million passenger journeys happen each year, with a team of nearly 17,000 dedicated colleagues. We now manage 25% of Britain's railway and are committed to shaping the future of train travel to better serve passengers.



We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Job:

The Group Communications Manager plays a vital role in ensuring DFTO colleagues and those within train operators are kept up to date with the organisation's strategy, culture, and leadership ensuring communications enable culture change, drive engagement and support the transition to Great British Railways (GBR). The role holder should constantly look for and deliver new innovative and impactful communications across multiple channels and platforms. The role holder will play a key strategic role in delivering the communications for DFTO's transformation and change programme to ensure employees understand their purpose, culture and journey to GBR and ensure that DFTO's internal narratives are aligned with external campaigns.

Key Competencies:

Strategic Thinking

- Ability to craft and execute communications strategies that align with broader business objectives Relationship Building - Proven track record of working effectively with executive teams cross-functional stakeholders Project Management - Skilled at managing complex initiatives with attention to detail deadlines, and resource coordination Creativity Innovation - Passion for fresh ideas and inventive approaches to storytelling and internal engagement. Digital Savvy - Proficiency in intranet platforms, digital content creation, Teams functions and social media for internal use. Data-Driven Mindset - Ability to develop and interpret KPIs and feedback to optimise communication strategies. Exceptional Communication Skills - Strong writing, editing, and presentation abilities across multiple formats and audiences. Leadership Influence - Able to embed communications into business decision-making and influence at senior levels. Change Communications - Experienced in engaging employees during periods of large-scale organisational change. Measurement Impact - Skilled in defining and using KPIs and insight to continuously communication effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliver and continuously evolve the DFTO's internal communications strategy. Working with the Head of Internal Communications, act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team, ensuring internal communications support strategic alignment and clarity. Build and manage the Group's intranet (Connect) as a central engagement tool. Partner with the People team to champion DFTO's culture transformation on the journey to GBR. Provide dedicated comms support to the DFTO Executive team. Lead communication planning for transformational business projects. Coordinate internal messaging across DFTO Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Create and distribute high-impact content (e.g., newsletters, videos, brochures). Source compelling stories and case studies to showcase internal achievements. Liaise with communications teams across stakeholders, including the DfT, Network Rail and SGBR teams. Establish and monitor KPIs to assess communication effectiveness. Organise and run company-wide events to spark employee enthusiasm. Source and share authentic people-led stories that reinforce our organisational purpose and identity. Participate in media enquiry rota, including out-of-hours support. Coach and develop a high-performing internal comms team that delivers measurable impact across the business.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Technical Qualifications:

Extensive experience in corporate and/or internal communications roles.


Knowledge of brand development and communications tone of voice implementation. Proficiency in intranet management and digital content development, including basic video editing and design skills using packages such as Poppulo and Canva. Experience acting as a strategic partner to executive leadership, aligning communications with business and cultural priorities. Excellent writing, editing, proofreading and storytelling capabilities. Strong understanding of internal communications measurement and analytics. Event planning and coordination experience (in-person and virtual formats). Proven expertise in managing communications during change programmes Familiarity with government stakeholder coordination is a plus. Proven expertise and management of organisational-wide Teams-based meetings and briefings

Benefits:

Hybrid Working Arrangements: As this role can be based anywhere across our Network, we are open to considering candidates Nationwide with office working based on a needs basis, dependant on client portfolio demands.



Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days).



DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.



Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.

Closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is available on either a Permanent basis or as an Industry secondment. Should anyone be applying for a secondment please ensure you notify your line manager prior to applying for the opportunity.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Equity Statement

At DFTO 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.

(How to apply)

Additional Information...

[Internal Only]

Contact:

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact HM / Resourcer - dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk



About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.