Communications Officer

Do you want to deliver impactful transport communications for Greater Manchester one of the most exciting and high-profile city regions in the UK?

A world-class transport system is central to the plan for Greater Manchester’s next decade, with our collective vision to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life.

The journey is already well underway. Launched in 2023, the Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s joined-up public transport system bringing together buses, trams, walking, wheeling and cycling - with local rail services set to join from next year. It’s accessible, affordable and easy to use, and is already delivering major benefits for our communities.

Your Role

This role will play a key part in supporting the delivery of transport communication plans for Greater Manchester.

Reporting to the Communications Manager, you’ll be part of the Communications team, building trusted relationships with different teams within Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). You will shape and support delivery of communication plans and campaigns that tell the Bee Network story.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of our projects and programmes and work proactively to positively position the Bee Network and Greater Manchester’s approach to transport to both internal and external audiences.

That means taking a creative and imaginative approach, using the full range of communications tactics and always delivering consistently excellent work.

For more info see Job Profile below

Who are we?

You’ll be working in the Communications team at TfGM, the organisation which runs the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s joined-up public transport system, which including buses and trams, walking, wheeling and cycling.

Each and every journey is important, linking people with jobs, skills, schools, education and opportunity, helping family and friends get together and stay in touch.

You will also be working closely with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, ensuring the communications activity we deliver is coordinated with their own activity and that of the elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.

It’s a key role in the team and a great opportunity to learn, develop and grow.

What you’ll bring

What you do and how you do it is important whatever type of role you work in at TfGM and even small behaviours and actions can have a really big impact. At TfGM, our behaviours bring to life our values of Deliver, Care and Adapt.

We’re looking for a positive, proactive and pragmatic communicator. Someone motivated to tell the story of the Bee Network in new and creative ways.

You’ll have experience of supporting the development and delivery of communications campaigns for organisations, be comfortable in getting out and about to create content, and be able to draft engaging copy for multiple channels. You’ll also be great at translating complex data into accessible information.

Strong verbal and written skills are a must, along with a proven ability to work with a mix of people and teams both internally and at partner organisations. Ideally, you’ll have some experience of using social media and digital communications channels to support communication campaigns.

You’ll be part of an on-call team so some experience of media engagement and crisis comms would be beneficial, along with the ability to draft media releases and statements as required. You may also have some experience of working with or in the transport sector, or have some knowledge of local government and working with elected members.

TfGM operates in a space where we have to balance commercial activities running a transport network - with our public sector duties, making it a unique and exciting environment to work in.

You’ll need to have a keen eye for detail, excellent organisational skills and the ability to flex and effectively prioritise workloads. But more than anything, you’ll thrive in a supportive team, collaborating to deliver great work.

What we can offer you

This is a permanent role and comes with a salary of £33,955 - £38,723 per annum depending on experience.

At TfGM we encourage candidates to discuss flexible working options at any stage of the recruitment process. We are happy to #talkflexibleworking to help colleagues maintain a healthy work life balance.

Our benefits include:

• Generous annual leave starting at 28 days (plus bank holidays), increasing with service, with options to buy more.
• Free travel on buses across Greater Manchester, plus rail or Metrolink travel to and from work.
• Local Government defined pension scheme with life cover of 3x salary and options to boost your contributions.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave policies, including those supporting fertility treatment, alongside flexible and hybrid working and a special leave policy to support a range of unexpected events. Please note that qualification criteria may apply, including a requirement to have been employed with the organisation for a minimum specified period of time.
• Discover more benefits including wellbeing support, Personal and Career Development, Flexible working, financial support and more on our website

What's next?

To apply please submit your CV and complete your application ensuring that you provide clear examples against the criteria questions, all appointments will be based on merit. Our short-listing process is anonymised, so please do not include your name or contact details on your CV. If any personal details are included these will be visible to the hiring manager.

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

TfGM is proud to be an equal opportunities employer that encourages and celebrates diversity. We want to recruit and retain a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome individuals from all backgrounds by committing to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We will offer support and reasonable adjustments if required and we also have a Guaranteed Assessment Scheme which you can find out more information on here.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licensed sponsor.

Please note we may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.

NOTE TO AGENCIES we will be accepting direct applications only for this role. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral CV.