Head of Communications WCPD

Avanti West Coast; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits for a dynamic Head of Communications at a pioneering partnership focused on revolutionizing rail travel in the UK. Join a dedicated team committed to shaping high-speed train services that promise an unparalleled travel experience. In this pivotal role, you will lead the communications strategy, ensuring seamless integration across various channels while enhancing the organization's reputation. Collaborate with senior leadership to drive impactful initiatives, engage with key stakeholders, and manage a proactive social media presence. If you're passionate about communication and want to make a significant impact in the rail industry, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Travel opportunities

Employee discounts

Health and wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and executing communications strategies.
• Strong ability to manage media relations and engage with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the WCPD Communications Strategy.
• Manage campaigns, produce content, and engage with stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Media Relations

Social Media Management

Content Creation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications or related field

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Social Media Platforms

Content Management Systems

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Communications WCPD role at Avanti West Coast

Join to apply for the Head of Communications WCPD role at Avanti West Coast

Direct message the job poster from Avanti West Coast

We’re West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) and we’re shaping new high-speed train services for the UK. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring about a step change in rail travel and we are excited to play an important part. Working in partnership with HS2 Ltd, FirstGroup, Trenitalia, and the Department for Transport, we’re designing and developing the new services which will run on the new High Speed 2 railway and the existing West Coast Main Line.

Our goal is to maximise the government’s investment to create a world-class railway with faster journey times, more capacity, and a customer experience that’s second to none.

Our vision is for the High-Speed Services to be the best travel experience in Britain. One that is easy, comfortable, and impressive. We’ll do this by keeping things simple, removing sources of stress, and prioritising our customers.

We would like to present an exciting opportunity to join the WCPD team as Head of Communications.

As Head of Comm, you will be responsible for WCPD reputation management and delivery of communications and engagement with external and internal audiences – playing a key part in the company’s overall strategic direction, at a critical time and in a fast-moving operating landscape.

The role holder will create, implement and lead the WCPD Comms Strategy, working closely with the MD, SLT, and Head of Stakeholders, News and Internal Comms, to support and deliver key business deliverables.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Develop and execute the WCPD Communications Strategy, ensuring seamless integration across stakeholder, media, and internal communications. Implement hands-on initiatives that promote key messages, engage employees, and enhance WCPD’s reputation.
• Lead and implement communication plans, actively producing content, managing campaigns, and directly engaging with stakeholders
• Provide strategic and Operational communications counsel to the MD, and act as a trusted advisor / critical friend to the Executive team on all aspects of communications.
• Collaborate with the Head of Stakeholders and Regional Growth Managers to design and deliver the Stakeholder Plan. This includes leading Executive engagement and briefing, regional and industry engagement, industry outreach, event programme and management, and providing political insight.
• Work with the Head of News, and the Media Team, to execute the Media Plan, ensuring strong media relations, editorial opportunities, content creation, and active social media management. Maintain and enhance WCPD’s website and digital presence.
• Partner with the Head of Internal Comms to design and deliver impactful internal communications Plan. Including staff engagement initiatives, events, and digital communications that align with external messaging.
• Own and manage WCPD’s social media presence, developing and delivering a proactive social media strategy. Create content, oversee engagement, and monitor sentiment across platforms to enhance visibility and reputation.
• Act as the primary point of Communications with key partners – including HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, DfT, key stakeholders and colleagues – ensuring alignment in messaging, coordination and managing of joint comms activities, and external and internal information flow and support. Liaise with the WCPD Head of Departments as appropriate to support partnership agreements.
• Continuously assess and enhance communication channels, implementing best practices and innovative solutions to ensure world-class engagement across all levels of the organisation.
• Responsible for KPIs, and reporting requirements that maximise the opportunity for high contractual scores. This includes management of the communications grid. Responsible for Compliance with Directorate contractual requirements and oversight of Risk Management.

You will ensure productive, effective and efficient relationships with key stakeholders including:

• Internal – WCPD MD and Senior Leadership Team, AWC Comms Director, WCP Head of Stakeholders, Head of News, Head of Internal Comms, RGMs.
• External – Political, regional, local and industry stakeholders, media, Think Tanks, Industry Bodies, Business Groups.

The role is based in London and with the requirement for some travel on our network at times. The expectation will be a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

West Coast Partnership Development

West Coast Partnership comprises two distinct parts – Avanti West Coast and West Coast Partnership Development. Avanti West Coast runs the InterCity West Coast train services from London to north England, north Wales and Scotland.

Our work in WCPD is focused on developing plans for what the new high-speed services will look like (customer experience), how they will work (railway operations) and how we will start running new services and trains (mobilisation). Over the next 10 years we will develop and implement a programme (HS2 Ltd are building the new railway and associated infrastructure).

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/a-pioneering-partnership

Your application

At WCPD, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! We recognise the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation.

Everyone who joins us becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that we are expansive and a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use!

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing, Public Relations, and Advertising

• Industries

  Truck Transportation, Railroad Equipment Manufacturing, and Rail Transportation

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Avanti West Coast by 2x

Get notified about new Head of Communications jobs in London Area, United Kingdom.

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Director, Internal Communications, Operations

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Branding & Communications – International Communications Director

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Global Head of PR (12 month FTC Maternity Cover)

London, England, United Kingdom 19 hours ago

London, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Vice President, Global Communications at The END Fund

London, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Head of Employee & Change Communications, Corporate Functions - 12 Month FTC

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Director of Communications (Luxury Hotel)

12 month FTC - Director, Communications EMEA

Watford, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

UK Communications Director, The Economist

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Associate Director – Corporate Communications (12m Mat Leave Cover)

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Head of Communications & Engagement (9-12 Month FTC)

Government Communications Director (Middle East)

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Associate Director – Corporate Communications (9m Mat Leave Cover)

LAA HEAD OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS(Ref: 5076)

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 15 hours ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.