Job Title - PR Manager

Location - Manchester, Midlands and South Yorkshire 

Contract Type - Full-Time, 6 months FTC  

About Us

At First Bus, we are one of the UK's largest bus operators, playing a vital role in connecting people, businesses, and communities. Every day, we help millions of customers get to where they need to go, whether it's for work, education, or leisure. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, we're driving forward greener, smarter, and more efficient ways of travel.

Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transport solutions that enhance the lives of our customers. We're not just about buses; we're about people—our dedicated team members and the communities we serve.

As part of the wider FirstGroup, we're proud to be a business that values inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. At First Bus, you'll find a workplace that thrives on innovation, supports career growth, and makes a real difference to people's lives.

Position Summary

The Public Relations Manager is responsible for developing, planning, implementing and measuring the Local Business Unit (LBU) ‘s PR and media strategy; building its reputation and ensuring effective media coverage. Reporting to the Commercial Director, the post holder will support the LBU with their communications priorities, aligned with the First Bus-wide external communication objectives, seeking out opportunities to maximise positive exposure across all relevant communication channels on a regional and national scale.

The Public Relations Manager will maintain a matrix-relationship with the External Communications Manager for First Bus and will work collaboratively with them and other PR Managers across the UK bus operations. This will ensure that local messaging is aligned with the overall goals of the First Bus communications strategy and that First Bus content is delivered with a consistent voice across the regions. The post holder will be the first point of contact for media enquiries at an LBU level and will directly handle the PR response to ‘crisis' situations to protect the reputation of the LBU and the wider organisation.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Plan, implement and manage all public relations campaigns at a LBU level.
• Plan and budget for LBU PR events, programmes and initiatives
• Working in collaboration with LBU marketing teams, ensure the marketing strategy and plan aligns with the PR plan
• Create, design and review the content in press releases and media announcements and media kits at LBU level
• Monitor corporate image frequently and ensure local compliance with the wider organisation brand.
• Check and manage content produced for LBU websites and social media channels
• Measure and provide reports on each PR campaign
• Develop and build long-term relationships with all relevant stakeholders, such as local (or devolved national) government, media contacts, elected representatives, and their advisers, etc.
• Produce content to support the LBU Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) when they are required to represent First Bus when delivering speeches, hosting events, awards ceremonies, or hearings.
• Foster close working relationships with HR colleagues in the LBU to ensure alignment and consistency of external and internal LBU communications.
• Work closely with the marketing team to develop an understanding of the local landscape in relation to awards, chambers of commerce or local authority events relevant to the public transport industry.
• Collaborate with LBU marketing colleagues and the SLT to create compelling award submissions for both local awards and work in partnership with the First Bus External Communications Manager to gather material and nominations for relevant national awards.
• Develop and implement crisis communications advice and media strategy, as required.

 Skills, Experience and Leadership behaviours required:

• The Public Relations Manager will act with integrity and role model First Bus values and behaviours (‘our way') across their business unit and the broader business
• Proven experience in the development and delivery of external communications campaigns in a large, complex organisation from planning/ideas stage to execution and measurement.
• Experience in high-pressure communications and campaign management. Excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to write accurate compelling copy
• Excellent at communicating with and influencing all levels of colleagues and stakeholders and challenging the ‘status-quo' appropriately.
• Strong speaking and presentation skills and the ability to organise and plan PR strategies
• Experience of content creation for a variety of audiences and channels, including video and writing for online platform and a confident user of CMS platform.
• Strong project management skills preferable.
• Experience of briefing agencies and working with suppliers to obtain best value and outcome for events and campaigns.
• Have a full understanding of media needs and be able to establish relationships and contacts across the local media landscape.
• Experience working with busy media desks, selling in pitches and ideas to help secure coverage and widespread interest in campaign content.
• Be proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail.
• The ability to keep sensitive information confidential.
• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure and ever-changing environment.
• Self-motivated, customer focused individual who embraces challenge and change.
• Resilient with a determination to deliver, even when obstacles present themselves.
• Ideally, degree educated or equivalent, with membership of a relevant professional body.
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to Continuous Professional Development.
• Previous experience of working in the transport sector is advantageous, but not essential.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Creation and on-going development of an effective public relations plan for the LBU.
• Sustainable positive relationships developed with local media and relevant stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Accountable for local LBU PR Gloo metrics and reporting

Rewards & Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Please apply now. We look forward to receiving your application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.