As part of the Transport UK Group, West Midlands Trains delivers around 1,300 train journeys a day, for more than 60 million passengers a year, across our two brands - West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.

We are committed to delivering a safe and reliable train service, by investing in our fleet of trains, stations and employees. As part of this investment, we are looking to recruit a Media Relations Manager on a full-time, permanent basis, based in Birmingham.

The Media Relations Manager will be responsible for promoting West Midlands Trains in a positive, balanced, and well-informed way across local, national, trade and social media, as well as to key stakeholders. Developing and delivering the company’s media engagement strategy and partnerships, working with colleagues in the wider External Communications & Engagement team. They will be accountable for managing the company’s press office function and related processes and systems including the out of hours on-call rota. Identifying and delivering media opportunities that create goodwill and deliver a positive reputation for WMT.

What does the job involve?

• To manage the press office function for West Midlands Trains, ensuring all media enquiries are answered in a timely and accurate manner and proactive media opportunities are maximised.
• Research and write material to positively inform and influence internal and external audiences. Seek proactive opportunities to promote WMT’s investment programme, including upgrades to stations, trains and other customer-facing workstreams.
• Manage, develop and deliver the corporate PR and media strategy, working with the Head of External Communications & Engagement, and PR & Public Affairs Manager.
• Accountable for ensuring opportunities to build company reputation are optimised, via press releases, excellent media relationships (regional, trade and national), promotional initiatives, sponsorship, publications and other PR activity. Ensure corporate PR and press initiatives support and complement wider business and marketing strategy. Optimise positive media sentiment scores.
• Support the Community Rail Strategy (including station adoption) by working with WMT’s Community and Stakeholder team to publicise service development on local routes through successful partnerships. Promote the work of the teams through social media channels.
• Work with the Customer Communications Manager and Social Media Managers to produce content for WMT social media channels and identify positive PR opportunities. Manage and set strategic direction for the company’s customer-facing podcast “On The Rails”.

What skills and experience do I need to do the job?

• Educated to degree level or degree level experience.
• Experience in strategic and tactical Media management and PR events
• Ability to develop effective relationships and partnership working
• Good political awareness
• Commercial awareness
• Experience of operating with senior managers and directors
• Ability to identify and develop new opportunities
• Excellent news sense and writing/communication skills
• Researching skills
• Ability to understand and act on key business priorities
• Ability to work accurately and calmly under intense pressure
• Ability to secure delivery through all parts of the organisation

What are the salary and benefits?

• Competitive salary + excellent Benefits
• Defined Benefit pension – one of the best in the UK
• Free travel on all our trains and those of other train companies within our parent group company - for you, your partner and any dependent children
• 75% off all other train company travel tickets
• Retail discounts
• Career development opportunities

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, the advert may close earlier than the published closing date. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure no-one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, belief and sexual orientation.

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience gaining employment and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people from ethnic minorities, people who are neurodivergent, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, and people with diverse gender identities. We will offer an interview to any candidate who meets the minimum criteria and the definition of disability within the Equality Act 2010.

Applications will be considered from colleagues with 6 months experience, after completion of their probationary period and a full check of absence and disciplinary records.