📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: PR & Communications Manager
🔹 Company: Stagecoach Group Limited
🔹 Location: Stockport Shared Service Centre, United Kingdom (with travel to other locations in the North region)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Communications & Public Relations
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-06
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with potential for occasional remote work)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing regional PR strategies aligned with commercial goals and customer focus.
- Managing press office activities, including press releases, media enquiries, and crisis communications.
- Building and maintaining strong media and stakeholder relationships.
- Supporting national campaigns with a local voice and impact.
- Managing internal communications across Operating Companies and supporting local management teams.
- Amplifying community and charity engagement to enhance the local presence of Stagecoach.
- Working closely with Managing Directors and regional leadership to tell a powerful, consistent story.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, with a focus on driving positive press coverage, connecting with communities, and supporting internal culture.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Delivering regional PR strategies aligned to commercial goals and customer focus.
✅ Supporting, delivering, and maximising any involvement with local and/or national partnerships for Operating Companies.
✅ Leading press office activity, drafting press releases, handling enquiries, and responding to incidents.
✅ Building and nurturing strong media and stakeholder relationships.
✅ Supporting national campaigns with a local voice and impact.
✅ Managing internal communication across Operating Companies, including supporting local management teams and cascading news and communication from central support functions and the wider organisation group via Blink and additional channels.
✅ Amplifying community and charity engagement to enhance the local presence of Stagecoach.
✅ Supporting stakeholder relationships with clear, aligned communications.
✅ Working closely with Managing Directors and regional leadership to tell a powerful, consistent story.
ASSUMPTION: The role requires a proactive and creative approach, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and generate confidence in various audiences.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience: Proven track record of 5-10 years in PR, communications, or media relations, with experience in delivering commercial, customer sentiment, and people engagement results through similar work.
Required Skills:
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Media training and experience in crisis communications.
- Excellent project management skills, capable of delivering multiple projects simultaneously.
- Event management experience and a talent for creating meaningful connections.
- Strategic thinking combined with hands-on delivery.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, capable of generating confidence in any given audience.
- Curiosity for local markets and a passion for public transport.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the public transport industry.
- Fluency in additional languages.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in PR, communications, or media relations, with a proven track record in delivering results. Excellent writing, editing, and project management skills are essential for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £40,000 per annum (based on the provided information)
Benefits:
- Annual Discretionary Bonus Scheme (up to 10% of salary)
- Defined Contribution pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 6%
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- A Stagecoach bus travel pass for you and a companion
- Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, with a standard working week of 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing. Benefits include a competitive pension scheme, holiday entitlement, and various discounts.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Stagecoach Group is a market leader in delivering greener, smarter travel, with bus, coach, and tram operations across the UK. They are listed on the London Stock Exchange and employ around 24,000 people, running around 8,400 buses, coaches, and trams.
Company Size: Stagecoach Group has 10,001+ employees, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: Stagecoach Group was founded in 1980 and has since grown to become one of the UK's leading public transport providers.
Company Description:
- Stagecoach Group is committed to being a trusted and successful public transport business and a respected community partner.
- They strive to support their people to deliver a great personal travel experience for their customers and create sustainable growth for their investors and communities.
- Stagecoach Group has five shared values that drive their people and the brands they represent across their business: Safety, Service, Integrity, Enterprise, and Partnership.
Company Specialties:
- Public transport
- Bus operator
- Rail operator
- Tram operator
Company Website: http://www.stagecoach.com
ASSUMPTION: Stagecoach Group is a well-established company in the public transport industry, with a strong focus on safety, service, integrity, enterprise, and partnership.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management stage, with the potential for growth and progression within the company.
Reporting Structure: The PR & Communications Manager will report directly to the Regional Managing Director and work closely with other regional leadership teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with a requirement to travel to various locations within the North region. Occasional remote work may be considered.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior communications role within the company.
- Expanding responsibilities and taking on additional challenges as the company grows.
- Developing expertise in the public transport industry and becoming a subject matter expert.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to gain valuable experience in the public transport industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The primary office location for this role is the Stagecoach Shared Service Centre in Stockport, with regular travel to other locations in the North region.
Office Location(s): Stockport Shared Service Centre, Gillmoss (Liverpool), Stockport (Manchester), Cambridge, and Lincoln.
Geographic Context:
- The North region covers a large area, including urban and rural locations, with diverse communities and customer bases.
- Travel between locations may be required, with some overnight stays potentially necessary.
- The role involves engaging with local communities, stakeholders, and media outlets across the region.
Work Schedule: The standard working week is 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work required to support events, campaigns, or incidents.
ASSUMPTION: The role requires regular travel within the North region, with the potential for overnight stays. The work environment is dynamic and varied, with a focus on engaging with local communities and stakeholders.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the Regional Managing Director and another member of the leadership team
- Final interview with the Regional Director of Communications
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to build relationships
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Stagecoach Group's values
- Experience in PR, communications, or media relations
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the public transport industry and Stagecoach Group's values.
- Prepare examples of your previous work, including successful PR campaigns, media coverage, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
ATS Keywords: PR, communications, media relations, writing, editing, project management, event management, stakeholder management, crisis communications, budget management, community engagement, strategic thinking, relationship building, customer engagement, local markets, public transport
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to involve several stages, with a focus on assessing communication skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CMS (Content Management System) for publishing press releases and managing internal communications
- Social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and various communication and project management tools. Familiarity with industry-specific software may also be beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety: Stagecoach Group prioritises safety in all aspects of their operations, from protecting their people and customers to their responsibilities to the wider environment.
- Service: They are passionate about serving their customers, understanding their expectations, designing services around their priorities, and listening to their insights to make their experience even better.
- Integrity: Stagecoach Group expects the highest ethical standards from their people, their business, their partners, and suppliers. Their culture values transparency, diversity, and respect, and by doing the right thing, they earn the trust of their stakeholders.
- Enterprise: New ideas and calculated risk are the sparks behind the growth in their business. They give their management teams and their people the freedom to innovate, challenge, improve, and reward.
- Partnership: Together they achieve more than they do as individuals. They actively engage with their customers and their communities and promote partnership between their people and other stakeholders who share responsibility for mobility and connectivity.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: The role requires working closely with various teams and stakeholders to deliver successful PR campaigns and communications initiatives.
- Adaptable: The work environment is dynamic and varied, with a need to adapt to different situations and priorities.
- Proactive: The role demands a proactive approach to identifying opportunities, managing crises, and driving positive press coverage.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Stagecoach Group's values, and how can you contribute to their success?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets and stakeholders?
- How do you balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery in your work?
ASSUMPTION: Stagecoach Group places a strong emphasis on their company values and seeks candidates who can demonstrate a strong cultural fit with their organisation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires regular travel within the North region, which may involve overnight stays and time away from home.
- The work environment can be fast-paced and demanding, with a need to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
- The role involves engaging with diverse communities and stakeholders, which may require adapting communication styles and approaches.
- The public transport industry can be subject to sudden changes and crises, requiring a proactive and responsive approach to communications.
ASSUMPTION: The role presents both exciting opportunities and potential challenges, with a need to balance travel, workload, and stakeholder engagement effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other communications and PR positions in its focus on the public transport industry and the need to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders.
- The role requires a strong understanding of the public transport industry and the ability to translate complex information into engaging and accessible communications.
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into more senior communications or leadership positions within the company or the wider public transport industry.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work in the public transport industry and engage with diverse communities and stakeholders. Career progression may involve moving into more senior communications or leadership positions within the company or the wider industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a regional PR strategy to support the launch of a new bus service, including media outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community events.
- Managing a crisis communication response to a major incident, including drafting press releases, coordinating media enquiries, and supporting internal communications.
- Creating and delivering a national campaign to promote the benefits of public transport, including targeted media outreach, social media engagement, and partnerships with relevant organisations.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a wide range of projects, from strategic planning and implementation to hands-on delivery and crisis management. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in delivering similar projects and a strong understanding of the public transport industry.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the wider communications strategy for Stagecoach Group, and how can I contribute to its success?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I make a meaningful impact?
- How does Stagecoach Group support the professional development and growth of its communications and PR team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in the public transport industry, and how can I best prepare for them?
- How does Stagecoach Group engage with and support its local communities, and how can I contribute to these efforts?
ASSUMPTION: Asking insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your understanding of the company and industry. It also provides an opportunity to assess the company's culture and fit with your personal values and career goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, demonstrating your understanding of the public transport industry and Stagecoach Group's values.
- Prepare examples of your previous work, including successful PR campaigns, media coverage, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
- If invited to interview, research Stagecoach Group's company values and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
