Job Description - Specialist Communications Manager (047450)
Organisation
Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement
Job
Corporate / Public Affairs
Position Type - Full Time
Job title – Specialist Communication Manager
Salary - £50,000 to £60,000
Location – Southwark, London, SE1
Contract Type – TfL (Permanent)
Band - 3
Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.
Overview of project/role
The role holder is responsible for managing the co-ordination of TfL’s scrutiny responsibilities, including the management of Mayor's Questions, Casework and Stakeholder briefings. The post holder will develop exceptional knowledge of the current issues and tactical challenges within the organisation. The post holder will have line management responsibility, ensuring all communication activity is managed and responded to within the required time-frame.
About the team
The role is embedded in TfL’s Corporate Communications team which coordinates and delivers TfL’s vital external relations work. We help the organisation implement the Mayor's Transport Strategy and achieve its vision while navigating the complex political, stakeholder and media environment of London and the UK.
Key Accountabilities
The role holder will be responsible for:
1. Managing the monthly Mayor's Questions process, ensuring that questions are allocated to the appropriate teams and answers are provided within the required timescale, consistent with key business messaging and routed through TfL and Mayoral sign off as appropriate.
2. Building positive working relationships with key business areas and building an awareness of current issues and priorities so all scrutiny work can be routed quickly and efficiently to the correct business area.
3. Management of the Assembly Members casework process, ensuring all casework is responded to within the required Service Level Agreement.
4. Management of Mayoral VIP correspondence, writing responses for the Mayor and other senior City Hall officials on transport-related topics.
5. Management of the Communications and Corporate Affairs briefings process for senior TfL officials.
6. Providing regular reporting and overviews of key issues or concerns raised across all key areas of responsibility to highlight trends and ensure senior staff are aware of key issues and appropriate action is taken to address any concerns.
7. Working closely with City Hall colleagues to build essential working relationships.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Skills
* Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, working with both internal and external stakeholders (Essential)
* Proven ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders (Essential)
* Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and CRM systems, with a strong focus on identifying and implementing continuous process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency and collaboration (Essential)
* Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with an ability to work and think effectively in high-pressure situations (Essential)
* Politically astute and sound awareness of the key policy issues affecting transport decisions in London (Desirable)
* Excellent presentation and organisational skills (Essential)
Knowledge
* Evidence of an understanding of the complexities of high-profile public sector organisations operating in highly challenging political and institutional environments (Essential)
* Understanding of local government procedures and culture, and the politics of London government (Essential)
* Knowledge of developments and emerging best practices in transport in the UK and globally (Desirable)
* Educated to degree level or with relevant experience (Essential)
Experience
* Proven track record in government and stakeholder relations, including an excellent understanding of the workings of Parliament and national, regional and local government (Desirable)
* Experience of managing staff is preferred (Essential)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantees an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.
Application Process
Please apply using your CV and a two-page covering letter. We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and ensure your CV and cover letter outlines where you meet these criteria. PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
The closing date for applications is 12/01/25 @ 23:59
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:
* Final salary pension scheme
* Free travel for you on the TfL network
* Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home to work or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
* 29/30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
* TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
* Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
* Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
* Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
* Discounted Eurostar travel
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