At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community initiatives and deliver impactful social value programmes across our railway network.
- Company: Join CrossCountry, a forward-thinking company committed to sustainability and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and supports your career journey.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while developing your skills in project management and stakeholder engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in community programmes and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Purpose of Job
To lead the delivery of measurable social value and place‐based outcomes across CrossCountry’s route network through the effective management of Community Rail Partnerships and funded community, customer and biodiversity programmes. Reporting to the Head of Sustainability, the role translates strategic social value priorities into well‐governed, compliant and impactful initiatives, ensuring that external funding and partnerships deliver tangible benefits for communities and passengers. The Community Manager provides operational leadership across CRP activity, CCIF and Biodiversity Improvement Projects, embedding strong project management, assurance and impact measurement, and leading clear, transparent communications that support engagement and accountability.
Principal Accountabilities
- Social Value Strategy & Place‐Based Impact
- Lead the development and delivery of community and social value programmes that generate measurable outcomes for local communities, aligned to CrossCountry’s sustainability strategy, inclusion objectives and contractual commitments.
- Translate organisational social value priorities into place‐based initiatives that improve accessibility, skills, wellbeing, biodiversity and local economic participation along the route network.
- Embed robust social value measurement frameworks, ensuring community activity delivers demonstrable benefits for passengers, communities and the wider railway system.
- Ensure community initiatives align with regulatory, contractual and policy requirements (including DfT and ORR guidance).
- Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) Leadership & Governance
- Act as CrossCountry’s operational lead for Community Rail Partnerships, providing day‐to‐day oversight, coordination and relationship management.
- Manage CRP governance arrangements, ensuring clear objectives, accountability, performance reporting and alignment with CrossCountry’s sustainability and social value priorities.
- Support CRPs to develop strong, compliant delivery plans that maximise social, environmental and community outcomes.
- Work closely with the Head of Sustainability to ensure CRP funded activity is aligned with wider place-based, inclusion and environmental objectives across the business.
- Programme & Project Management
- Lead the end‐to‐end management of funded community programmes, including Community Rail Partnership Project Funding, Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF) projects, Biodiversity Improvement Projects (BIP), and Charitable Donations.
- Oversee project development, funding bids, delivery plans, milestones, risk management and benefits realisation.
- Ensure funded projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in line with funder conditions and governance requirements.
- Maintain accurate records, monitoring and reporting to demonstrate compliance, impact and value for money.
- Stakeholder & Partnership Delivery
- Build and maintain trusted working relationships with third‐sector organisations, schools, charities and community groups.
- Coordinate collaborative initiatives that leverage partner expertise, co‐funding opportunities and volunteer participation to amplify social value outcomes.
- Support volunteering, educational outreach and local regeneration initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to communities served by the railway.
- Communications & Engagement
- Lead communications in support of community and social value delivery, working with the Head of Sustainability to ensure alignment with wider strategic messaging.
- Develop and deliver communications materials related to CRPs, funded projects and community initiatives, including briefings, updates and digital content.
- Work with marketing and PR team to ensure communications accurately reflect delivery progress and outcomes.
- Support consultation, listening events and feedback mechanisms that directly inform programme design and continuous improvement.
- Reporting, Assurance & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain comprehensive records of community engagement activity, funded projects, outcomes and lessons learned.
- Produce regular performance and impact reports for senior leadership and board‐level forums, demonstrating contribution to social value, sustainability and strategic objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve governance, delivery models and impact measurement across community programmes.
Experience, Knowledge, Qualifications & Training
- Essential:
- Proven experience delivering community, social value or place-based programmes with measurable outcomes.
- Strong understanding of social values frameworks, impact measurements and benefits realisation.
- Experience working with local communities.
- Experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships with clear governance, accountability and reporting.
- Proven experience managing funded programmes or projects end-to-end, including delivery, risk and reporting.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience leading delivery‐focused communications (briefings, updates, reports, stakeholder materials).
- Desirable
- Experience delivering social value within rail, transport, infrastructure or public sector contexts.
- Direct experience working with Community Rail Partnerships or similar community‐based delivery bodies.
- Experience supporting or overseeing volunteer‐led or grant‐funded organisations.
- Experience managing grant funded programmes or projects or public funding (e.g. community, customer or environmental funds).
- Familiarity with biodiversity, environmental improvement or sustainability-related projects.
Diversity & Inclusion
At CrossCountry, we believe our people should reflect the diverse communities we serve. Inclusion isn’t just part of our strategy — it’s central to our success. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to be their best.
Click Apply Now to take the next step in your journey with CrossCountry Trains.
Community Manager in Birmingham employer: Arrivatc
CrossCountry is an exceptional employer that prioritises social value and community engagement, making a meaningful impact across its route network. With a strong commitment to sustainability and inclusion, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth through diverse community programmes and partnerships. Located in Birmingham, the company offers unique opportunities to lead initiatives that enhance local communities while ensuring a supportive environment for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Manager in Birmingham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Arrivatc.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Arrivatc.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Arrivatc.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Arrivatc. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Arrivatc. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrivatc
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Arrivatc. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
