Senior Internal Communications Business Partner

We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing, and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands.

With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Ten times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work.

At EMR we want to proactively embrace diversity across our workforce and recognise that we are under-represented in terms of females and ethnic minority groups. We’re therefore taking positive steps to promote a positive and inclusive culture; we welcome applications from those that identify with these groups to better represent our communities.

We are looking for a Senior Internal Communications Business Partner to help shape and deliver strategic, high-impact internal communications across the business.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.

In this role, you will work closely with teams across the organisation to create engaging communications that support major projects, cultural initiatives and organisational change. You will lead the planning and delivery of colleague recognition events, manage internal communication platforms, support charity and community engagement activities, and help build communication capability across the business. This is an excellent opportunity to influence employee engagement and contribute to a positive and connected workplace culture.

Key responsibilities include

Strategic Communications & Business Partnering

• Provide strategic advice and support to colleagues in designing tailored internal communications solutions across print, digital and social channels.
• Partner with key functions across the business to design and deliver engaging communications that support major projects, business change programmes and organisational priorities.
• Champion the consistent use of the internal brand and tone of voice, using audience insight to ensure communications are relevant, inclusive and effective.
• Work closely with the External Communications Team to support joint communications activity, stakeholder events and campaigns.
• Deputise for the Head of Employee Communications & Engagement as required.

Employee Engagement & Recognition

• Lead the planning and delivery of colleague engagement events and recognition programmes, including Long Service and Employee Excellence Awards.
• Facilitate opportunities for meaningful employee-leader engagement, including frontline meetups, management events and functional conferences.
• Contribute to the delivery of the organisation’s charity strategy, promoting charitable opportunities and supporting charity committee activities to maximise community impact.

Digital Channels, Content & Innovation

• Manage and curate internal social media-style channels, ensuring content is engaging, timely and aligned with business objectives.
• Support the creation and editing of internal video content for publication across communication channels.
• Oversee governance of internal digital screen content and provide guidance to local content champions.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage emerging technologies and communication platforms to enhance employee engagement.

Communications Capability & Governance

• Design and deliver communications training for line managers to build confidence and capability in engaging their teams.
• Provide guidance, standards and governance to ensure consistent, high-quality internal communications across the organisation.

Creative & Design Support

• Provide ad hoc InDesign support and create branded artwork during periods of limited capacity within the Design team.

Who we’re looking for

• Experienced internal communications professional with strong strategic business partnering capability
• Excellent written and verbal communicator, producing clear, engaging, audience-focused content across multiple channels
• Proven ability to develop and deliver multi-channel communication strategies aligned to business objectives
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing senior leaders and cross-functional teams
• Able to manage multiple priorities, complex projects and large-scale events in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled in using digital communications tools and platforms, with experience in CMS, email, social media and Office 365
• Confident using insight and data to evaluate and improve communication effectiveness
• Proficient in Adobe InDesign and creating visually engaging content
• Highly organised, collaborative and detail-focused
• Degree-level qualification in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing or a related field is desirable

As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:

• An excellent defined benefit pension scheme
• 32 days’ holiday per year, rising to 34 after 2 years
• Flexible working hours
• Free First-Class duty travel on the EMR network
• Free standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER
• 75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants)
• Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network
• Various training opportunities
• Employee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme …and many more!

This position is based in our Derby Head office, but we've adopted a flexible hybrid working model that creates the opportunity to work in your own way at home but also provides great spaces for in-person collaboration.

We are open minded to applications from people who wish to have flexible working. Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

Ready to take on this exciting opportunity? Submit your online application form and upload your CV. As we operate a blind screening process please remove all personal information including your name from your CV.

Interviews will provisionally take place in the W/C 20th July 2026.

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W e welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, we promote equal opportunities for all. East Midlands Railway is a non-discriminatory employer committed to the recruitment and promotion of all on the basis of ability and merit irrespective of disability, race, gender, health, social class, sexual preference, marital status, nationality, religion, employment status or age. We’ll treat your application fairly and assess you for the job based on merit and skills.

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