Do you want a job helping to highlight the huge benefits great transport can offer in one of the most ambitious, exciting and high-profile regions of the UK?

Greater Manchester is currently rolling out the Bee Network - a joined-up public transport system bringing together buses, trams, walking, wheeling and cycling. It’s accessible, affordable and easy to use, and is already delivering major benefits for our communities.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is looking for a Senior Communications Officer who can help to shape and deliver high-impact communications shining a spotlight on our ambitious plans, what we have delivered so far and the next step on our journey.

Following on from the integration of all Greater Manchester bus services into the Bee Network, which are now controlled locally, Bee Network rail will be introduced in phases. The first two lines will jointhe Bee Network from 13 December 2026, and will see contactless ‘tap in, tap out' ticketing rolled out across 17 stations.

This is just the beginning with more rail lines to follow in 2027 and 2028, and the further roll out of contactless, capped fares, joining buses, trams and trains together as Greater Manchester continues its journey to deliver an affordable, accessible and joined-up transport network.

Your Role

This exciting role will see you playing a key part in shaping, supporting and delivering our transport communication plans for Greater Manchester - with a clear focus on Bee Network rail integration.

Reporting to a Communications Manager, you’ll be part of the TfGM Communications team, and will be required to build trusted relationships with the rail programme delivery team at TfGM, at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and with rail industry partners locally, regionally and nationally.

Your role will see you acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the communications team, working closely with the rail delivery team to help identify, shape and support the delivery of communication plans, campaigns and events that tell the story of Bee Network rail.

You’ll need to get right under the skin of the programme and work proactively to positively position our plans for Bee Network rail and Greater Manchester’s wider vision for transport to both internal and external audiences. That means taking a creative and imaginative approach, using the full range of communications tactics and delivering consistently excellent work.

You will also be working closely with GMCA, ensuring all of our communications are coordinated along with those of the elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.

This is a key role in a fast-paced team and it’s a great opportunity to learn, develop and grow at an organisation which sits at the heart of one of the most exciting city-regions in the UK.

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation to work in the office two days per week.

For more info see Job Profile below.

Who are we?

TfGM is the local government body 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.

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 with a real hunger to tell the story of the Bee Network in innovative and creative ways. We want someone who can help to highlight how the network is already delivering benefits and crucially how rail services joining the network will see even more benefits being delivered.

You’ll have demonstrable experience of supporting the development and delivery of communications campaigns for organisations and measuring how they have performed, be comfortable in getting out and about to create content and be able to draft engaging copy for multiple channels. You’ll also be confident and able to translate complex data into accessible information.

Strong verbal and written skills are a must, along with a proven ability to work with a mix of internal and external stakeholders. Ideally, you’ll also 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 activity 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, you will also need to have a degree, a relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience. But more than anything, you’ll need to be able to play an active role in supporting a busy communications team, collaborating to deliver great work and helping everyone to thrive.

So, if you think you have what it takes and fancy joining us in promoting the Bee Network and supporting its further development please get in touch.

What we can offer you

This is a two-year fixed term contract for a Senior Communications Officer working as a part of the TfGM communications team. The salary range is £40,650 - £45,107 - depending on skills and 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?

If you believe you have the skills and experience required, we’d really like to hear from you. To apply please submit your CV and also provide a covering letter providing clear examples of how your experience meets the requirements of the role, all appointments will be based on merit. Our short-listing process is anonymised, so please do not include your name or contact details on either of these documents. 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.

Priority Recruitment Scheme for ‘At Risk’ NHS GM Colleagues
If you are currently employed by a Greater Manchester NHS organisation and have been formally identified as ‘at risk’, please indicate this within your application for the role. If you select ‘Yes’ and provide evidence that your experience meets the essential criteria described in the job advert and role profile, you will be guaranteed progression to the next assessment stage. Please ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet these essential requirements, as the guarantee only applies to candidates who meet them.

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.