Job Description

Job Ref:

DOH1087

Branch:

DFT Operator

Location:

London

Salary/Benefits:

Salary up to 47,685

Contract type:

Fixed Term

Hours:

Full Time

Hours per week:

37.5

Posted date:

18/08/2025

Closing date:

05/09/2025

Internal Communications Engagement Manager

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO



DfT Operator Limited (DFTO) is the government's public sector rail owning group. DFTO's purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027. This role sits at the heart of the organisation's internal culture and transformation efforts, reporting into the DFTO Communications team leadership while closely collaborating with communications and people teams across its operating companies. The Internal Communications Engagement Manager acts as a strategic partner, shaping how DFTO's people connect with its mission, vision and evolving story.

Primary Purpose of Job:

The Internal Communications Engagement 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. You will be crucial in building DFTO's internal presence, ensuring communications enable culture change, drive engagement and support the transition to Great British Railways (GBR).

Vacancy Details:

Duration:

2year FTC

Location:

London Waterloo/Hybrid

Salary:

up to 47,685

Closing date:

3rd September 2025

Some of our great benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.



Annual Leave 25 days



Opportunities to learn across the wider industry



10 % pension contribution



Plus more....

Key Competencies:

Strategic Thinking

- Ability to support the delivery of communications strategies that align with broader business objectives.

Exceptional Communication Skills

- Strong writing, editing, and presentation abilities across multiple formats and audiences.

Relationship Building

- Proven track record of working effectively with cross-functional stakeholders. Ideally in the rail industry.

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.

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 improve 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. Maintain and develop the internal DFTO brand, including guidelines and tone of voice. 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. Help to deliver company-wide events to spark employee enthusiasm. Source and share authentic people-led stories that reinforce our organisational purpose and identity.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Technical Qualifications:

Experience in 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. 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). Familiarity with government stakeholder coordination is a plus. Proven expertise and management of organisational-wide Teams-based meetings and briefings.

(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.