Strategic Communications Manager

Closing Date for Applications

5th November 2025 

Salary Scale: £42,000 - £52,000 per annum

What is the purpose of this job?

The Strategic Communications Manager will join the team to focus on communications to support the delivery of RDG's Board Priorities. The successful candidate will work directly into the Head of Strategic Communications, as well as working closely with the wider communications team and the Director of Communications to devise and deliver communications strategies across our 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 team development and collaboration.

What can I expect to do in this job? 

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

1. Working within the Communications department to produce and deliver high quality influential communications activity

2. Working closely with the Head of Strategic Communications, to help shape and deliver on the RDG communications strategy.

3. Working across the Communications Team, bringing members of the comms team together to make sure work is delivered consistent and to a high standard.

4. Work closely with the Head of Strategic Communications to ensure there is a pipeline of proactive communications activity and campaigns to support delivery of the plan, while also flagging any potential opportunities for further activity

5. Plan and deliver impactful multi-channel comms campaigns that achieve KPIs set, in line with budget, timelines and resource set

6. Produce visual and video content to help bring campaign and activity to life, creating this both independently and with agency support

7. Work with RDG's members, gaining their insight and input to help shape our comms activity and to brief them on current priorities, and ensure they are provided with all relevant comms materials in a timely fashion.

8. Build and maintain effective relationships with industry and RDG colleagues to find and shape content to support the overall communications plan and objectives.

9. Ensuring agency partners receive consistent briefing on priorities and feedback on work. Manage performance of agencies to deliver communications assets across all media channels.

10. Responsible for contributing to a high-performing communications team with a culture of diversity and inclusivity.

11. Support the Events Lead on the delivery of the events strategy, identifying opportunities and support on agendas and briefings.

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.

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 template.

- Experience of dealing directly with senior colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders to provide communications.

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts.
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• 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 11.58% employer contribution.
• Private medical insurance (AXA PPP) including mental health and specialist care.
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes.

Career Development & Progression

You'll be part of a team driving innovation at a national scale, with the opportunity to influence long-term ticketing strategy. This role provides real ownership, the chance to work with leading-edge technologies and partners, and visibility at senior levels across the rail industry. You'll also gain wide exposure to transport and government stakeholders, opening up exciting development and progression opportunities within RDG.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you are interested in joining RDG as a Lead Solution Architect and shaping the future of digital ticketing, we'd love to hear from you

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.

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