At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead member-focused communications and content to enhance experiences and outcomes.
- Company: Join Railpen, a leader in pension management with a community-focused mission.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health perks, and a rewarding pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and a culture that values integrity and community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by improving member journeys and leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in effective communications, digital content management, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
We’re seeking an experienced Communications & Content Manager to join us on a 12‑month fixed‑term maternity cover, based in our Darlington office with hybrid working.
Who we are
Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds. Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.
The Role
You’ll manage the delivery of member‑focused communications and content to improve member experience and outcomes, ensuring information is clear, accessible and relevant to members at every stage of their journey. You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading the delivery of member communications and content that improve understanding, experience and outcomes.
- Translating member insight into clear, actionable improvements across communications, journeys and service experiences.
- Articulating end‑to‑end member journeys to inform change and transformation communications, ensuring members receive the right information at the right time.
- Ensuring communications align to Railpen’s agreed Content Standards.
- Providing subject matter expertise and a strong ‘member‑first’ perspective within projects, change initiatives and regulatory activity.
- Managing content across key digital channels, including the member websites, ensuring it remains accurate, accessible and aligned to member journeys.
- Supporting digital take‑up and behavioural change through effective campaigns and communications.
- Leading and line managing a team of communications and content professionals, providing clear direction, feedback and support.
- Working closely with senior stakeholders to advise on the most effective and appropriate approaches, ensuring they understand the member journey and role of effective communications.
- Acting as a point of escalation for urgent or sensitive member communications, ensuring trust is maintained.
This role is well suited to someone who enjoys balancing communications strategy and hands‑on delivery, with people leadership, and who can step in quickly to provide continuity and confidence during a maternity cover period. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
The Person
We’re looking for someone who brings a strong mix of communications expertise, member or customer‑centred thinking and people leadership. You’ll ideally have:
- Proven experience delivering clear, effective communications and content, ideally within a complex or regulated environment.
- A strong understanding of customer or member experience, with the ability to translate insight into practical outcomes across key journeys.
- Experience managing digital content and improving user journeys, including accessibility considerations.
- Demonstrable experience leading, supporting and developing teams.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and constructively challenging where needed.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for simplifying complex information.
- A pragmatic, delivery‑focused approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace.
- Experience within pensions, financial services or customer experience functions would be beneficial, but is not essential.
What matters most is your ability to put members first and deliver clear, high‑quality communications that make a difference. Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour. They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others. They’re what we stand for. You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members.
What we can offer you
- A competitive salary (depending on experience)
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Generous annual bonus plan
- Membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
- 4x Life Assurance cover
- Health & Wellbeing Private Medical Insurance
- Employee assistance programme
- Health cash plan
- Eye care vouchers
- Flu vaccination
- Support for hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
- Buy and sell holidays
- Give as you earn scheme
- Paid volunteering days
- Flexible half days leave
- Electric vehicle leasing
- Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps
Please apply via the apply button or visit Careers by 5pm on Wednesday 27th May 2026. Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Communications and Content Manager in Darlington employer: Railpen
Railpen is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust benefits package including private medical insurance and a defined benefit pension scheme. With a strong commitment to hybrid working and a culture that values integrity and community, Railpen fosters an inclusive environment where team members can thrive and make a meaningful impact on the lives of its members. The opportunity to lead a dedicated team while enhancing member communications in a supportive setting makes this role particularly rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications and Content Manager in Darlington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or attend industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around member-focused communications.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Communications and Content Manager. Keep it concise and engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Communications and Content Manager in Darlington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Communications and Content Manager role. Highlight your experience in delivering clear communications and how you've improved member or customer experiences in the past.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your digital content management skills and any experience you have with accessibility considerations. We want to see how you can make information clear and accessible for our members!
Be Personable:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone who can balance strategy with hands-on delivery, so show us how you can connect with people and lead a team effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply via our website before the deadline! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Railpen
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research Railpen and their values. Understanding their focus on member experience and community will help you tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Communications and Content Manager, your ability to convey complex information clearly is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've simplified communication in past roles, especially in regulated environments, to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing urgent member communications or leading a team through change. Think of relevant experiences where you successfully navigated similar challenges.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about Railpen's current projects or their approach to member engagement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.