Strategic Communications Manager FTC

23rd October 2026

Salary scale: £44,482 - £52,000 per annum

Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is entering a once-in-a-generation transformation as the rail industry transitions to Great British Railways (G ) - bringing track and train back together under a single guiding mind and moving the sector decisively from private to public ownership. This shift offers the opportunity to create a more integrated, accountable, customer-centred, and cost-effective railway.

As RDG plays a critical role in supporting the transition to G  and delivering on its own Board Priorities, effective strategic communications are essential to building understanding, engagement and confidence across the industry. The Strategic Communications Manager will join the team to lead communications that support these priorities working directly with the Head of Strategic Communications, and closely with the wider communications team and the Director of Communications to develop and deliver communications strategies across key work streams.

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 collaboration and team development.

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

• Support the Head of Strategic Communications to develop and deliver communications strategies that advance RDG's Board Priorities and support the transition to Great British Railways (G ).
• Lead the planning and delivery of high-quality, impactful communications activity across multiple work streams, ensuring consistent messaging, strong stakeholder engagement and measurable outcomes.
• Develop and deliver proactive, multi-channel communications campaigns that support organisational priorities, industry reform objectives and key transformation programmes.
• Translate complex industry reform, policy and transition developments into clear, engaging communications for colleagues, members and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively across the Communications team to ensure communications activity is integrated, delivered to a consistently high standard and aligned with organisational objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, industry partners and member organisations to identify opportunities, gather insight and develop compelling communications content.
• Support the delivery of RDG's transition to G  communications strategy, helping colleagues, members and stakeholders understand the implications of industry reform and public ownership.
• Develop and implement communications and engagement plans that build awareness, confidence and readiness for organisational and industry change.
• Work closely with transition leads and stakeholders across RDG, Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), Network Rail and the wider rail industry to support communications and engagement activity relating to G .
• Lead communications support for key G  comms moments, including the development of leadership briefings, stakeholder updates, presentations, events and supporting materials.
• Facilitate engagement activities, workshops and listening opportunities that encourage collaboration, support behavioural change and help shape organisational culture through the transition.
• Identify communications risks and issues relating to industry reform and organisational change, developing mitigation plans and advising senior stakeholders as appropriate.
• Produce high-quality written, visual and digital content, working independently or with agency partners to bring communications campaigns and strategic…