At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead TRL's brand and communications, shaping our identity and voice in the transport sector.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking transport data and intelligence company with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities to influence industry conversations.
- Other info: Exciting chance to shape how we are perceived by clients and policymakers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving thought leadership and enhancing our corporate narrative.
- Qualifications: Experience in corporate communications, excellent writing skills, and project management expertise.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Brand & Communications Manager
About the Role
TRL is seeking an experienced
Brand & Communications Manager to lead the external expression of our evolving identity and positioning as a transport data and intelligence company.
This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping and strengthening TRL's brand, reputation and voice.
You will lead the delivery of our corporate identity programme, own our corporate narrative, drive thought leadership initiatives, and position TRL at the forefront of the transport, infrastructure and policy conversations that matter most.
Working across the business and with external agency partners, you will ensure that our messaging, content, media engagement and brand experience consistently reflect who we are, what we stand for, and how we are different.
Key Responsibilities
- Corporate Identity
- Deliver TRL's corporate identity programme, including messaging architecture, visual identity rollout, brand guidelines and template estate.
- Work closely with agency partners to ensure high-quality creative execution and consistency across all brand touchpoints.
- Corporate Narrative
- Own and develop TRL's corporate story, clearly articulating who we are, what we stand for and how we differentiate ourselves from Tier 1 consultancies.
- Maintain the organisation-wide messaging framework and equip colleagues to communicate it confidently and consistently.
- PR & Media Relations
- Lead PR and media relations activity, including press office management, media engagement, corporate announcements and issues management.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with trade, national and policy media.
- Industry Voice & Policy Engagement
- Position TRL at the centre of the debates shaping the future of transport.
- Monitor policy, media and industry developments and identify opportunities for TRL experts to contribute meaningful insight.
- Secure visibility through rapid-response commentary, expert briefings, consultations, select committees, panels and conferences.
- Develop and manage a Speaker Bureau to increase TRL's external profile.
- Thought Leadership
- Develop and deliver a thought leadership programme that showcases TRL's expertise in transport data and intelligence.
- Create and manage flagship reports, insight content, speaker opportunities and executive profiling initiatives.
- Content Development
- Produce and oversee high-quality content across a range of channels, including case studies, insight articles, award submissions and event materials.
- Ensure consistency of messaging, tone and quality across all communications.
- Alignment & Key Moments
- Work closely with the Chief People Officer's team to ensure internal and external communications remain aligned throughout the organisation's repositioning journey.
- Support major organisational moments, including ministerial visits, all-staff events and corporate launches.
- What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months, you will have
- Established a share of voice baseline against identified competitors and delivered measurable quarter-on-quarter growth.
- Successfully launched the corporate identity programme, with brand guidelines embedded across the business.
- Increased the quality and quantity of media coverage across target transport, infrastructure and policy publications.
- Launched a thought leadership programme, including at least one flagship insight report and a managed speaker platform calendar.
- Developed a trained and active Speaker Bureau with secured speaking opportunities and a structured engagement plan.
- Achieved strong brand consistency across templates, the website, bids and events.
About You
We're looking for someone who brings
- Significant experience in corporate communications and brand management within B2B, professional services, infrastructure or policy-related sectors.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, with proven experience in media relations and stakeholder communications.
- Confidence working with and coaching senior leaders and spokespeople.
- Experience leading a rebrand, brand refresh or corporate identity programme, including agency management and internal rollout activities.
- Strong project and programme management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high standards across a range of workstreams.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in shaping how TRL is seen, heard and understood by clients, policymakers, industry leaders and the wider public.
Brand and Communications Manager in Wokingham employer: TRL
At TRL in Wokingham, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that champions health and safety while fostering a collaborative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through flexible working arrangements and opportunities to lead meaningful change in health and safety standards, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in a vital sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand and Communications Manager in Wokingham
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for TRL and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like TRL are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with TRL on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at TRL. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand and Communications Manager in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit TRL. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of TRL:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about TRL’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at TRL
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at TRL will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At TRL, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
