Brand And Communications Manager

Trl; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TRL is seeking an experienced Brand & Communications Manager to shape and elevate our brand as a transport data and intelligence company. You will lead corporate identity, messaging, and thought leadership, and oversee PR and media relations across policy and industry channels.

In this role, you will collaborate with agencies and internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and a strong external voice during TRL's repositioning. A proven track record in B2B communications is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in corporate communications and brand management within B2B, professional services, infrastructure or policy sectors.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with proven media relations experience.
• Confidently coach senior leaders and spokespeople and lead brand initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead external expression of evolving identity and positioning as a transport data and intelligence company.
• Deliver corporate identity programmes, messaging architecture and brand guidelines.
• Own corporate narrative, thought leadership and speaking opportunities.
• Manage PR, media relations and relationships with trade, national and policy media.
• Collaborate with agency partners and internal teams to align communications during repositioning.

Skills

Corporate communications

Brand management

Media relations

Stakeholder communications

Executive coaching

Project management

Job description

Brand & Communications Manager

About the Role

TRL is seeking an experienced Brand & Communications Manager to lead the external expression of our evolving identity and positioning as a transport data and intelligence company.

This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping and strengthening TRL's brand, reputation and voice. You will lead the delivery of our corporate identity programme, own our corporate narrative, drive thought leadership initiatives, and position TRL at the forefront of the transport, infrastructure and policy conversations that matter most.

Working across the business and with external agency partners, you will ensure that our messaging, content, media engagement and brand experience consistently reflect who we are, what we stand for, and how we are different.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Identity

• Deliver TRL's corporate identity programme, including messaging architecture, visual identity rollout, brand guidelines and template estate.
• Work closely with agency partners to ensure high-quality creative execution and consistency across all brand touchpoints.

Corporate Narrative

• Own and develop TRL's corporate story, clearly articulating who we are, what we stand for and how we differentiate ourselves from Tier 1 consultancies.
• Maintain the organisation-wide messaging framework and equip colleagues to communicate it confidently and consistently.

PR & Media Relations

• Lead PR and media relations activity, including press office management, media engagement, corporate announcements and issues management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with trade, national and policy media.

Industry Voice & Policy Engagement

• Position TRL at the centre of the debates shaping the future of transport.
• Monitor policy, media and industry developments and identify opportunities for TRL experts to contribute meaningful insight.
• Secure visibility through rapid-response commentary, expert briefings, consultations, select committees, panels and conferences.
• Develop and manage a Speaker Bureau to increase TRL's external profile.

Thought Leadership

• Develop and deliver a thought leadership programme that showcases TRL's expertise in transport data and intelligence.
• Create and manage flagship reports, insight content, speaker opportunities and executive profiling initiatives.

Content Development

• Produce and oversee high-quality content across a range of channels, including case studies, insight articles, award submissions and event materials.
• Ensure consistency of messaging, tone and quality across all communications.

Alignment & Key Moments

• Work closely with the Chief People Officer's team to ensure internal and external communications remain aligned throughout the organisation's repositioning journey.
• Support major organisational moments, including ministerial visits, all-staff events and corporate launches.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 12 months, you will have:

• Established a share of voice baseline against identified competitors and delivered measurable quarter-on-quarter growth.
• Successfully launched the corporate identity programme, with brand guidelines embedded across the business.
• Increased the quality and quantity of media coverage across target transport, infrastructure and policy publications.
• Launched a thought leadership programme, including at least one flagship insight report and a managed speaker platform calendar.
• Developed a trained and active Speaker Bureau with secured speaking opportunities and a structured engagement plan.
• Achieved strong brand consistency across templates, the website, bids and events.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience in corporate communications and brand management within B2B, professional services, infrastructure or policy-related sectors.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with proven experience in media relations and stakeholder communications.
• Confidence working with and coaching senior leaders and spokespeople.
• Experience leading a rebrand, brand refresh or corporate identity programme, including agency management and internal rollout activities.
• Strong project and programme management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high standards across a range of workstreams.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping how TRL is seen, heard and understood by clients, policymakers, industry leaders and the wider public.