Internal Communications Director

Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. The company employs around 35,000 people, delivering more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys connecting people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably.

We have strong roots dating back to 1938, an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda, and a continuously developing relationship with I Squared Capital – a global infrastructure investment fund manager - who acquired Arriva in 2024.

We are looking for an Internal Communications Director to join our Communications Team as part of our Corporate Centre Team on a full-time, permanent basis. This role will be based from either our London or Sunderland office.

The Internal Communications Director is responsible for setting the global strategy, standards and guardrails for internal communications across Arriva, enabling a consistent and compelling Arriva story while allowing operating businesses the flexibility to adapt communications to local priorities, cultures and audiences.

The role exists to drive greater alignment, clarity and coherence in how Arriva communicates internally — ensuring colleagues understand the Group’s purpose, values and strategic direction, and how these connect to their day‑to‑day work. Working closely with the Group Communications Director, the role balances global consistency with local relevance across a diverse, international organisation.

Direct responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and lead Arriva’s global internal communications strategy, aligned to Group strategy and business priorities
• Act as the senior internal communications adviser to the Group Communications Director and Executive Committee, shaping the internal narrative and strategic messaging.
• Lead and develop the internal communications function through the Head of Internal Communications, setting clear direction, capability expectations and priorities.

Purpose, Values & Cultural Alignment

• Define how Arriva’s purpose and values are communicated globally, providing frameworks that allow operating businesses to bring them to life in ways that resonate locally.
• Ensure communications reinforce a shared sense of identity and belonging, while respecting cultural, operational and market differences.
• Translate corporate strategy into clear, accessible narratives that can be adapted locally within agreed global parameters.

Global Standards, Guardrails & Best Practice

• Establish and own global standards, principles and guardrails for internal communications, including tone of voice, core messaging, channels and leader-led communications.
• Set best-practice guidance and toolkits to support operating businesses, ensuring quality and consistency while avoiding over‑centralisation.
• Enable appropriate flexibility by clearly defining what must be consistent globally versus where local adaptation is encouraged.

Partnering with Operating Businesses

• Work in close partnership with internal communicators in operating businesses, acting as a centre of excellence and trusted adviser.
• Support local teams to adapt Group narratives for local priorities, ensuring alignment while empowering ownership and relevance.
• Foster a strong global internal communications community, encouraging knowledge share, capability building and collaboration.

Leader & Change Communications

• Provide frameworks and support for effective leader communications, enabling leaders at Group and local level to communicate with confidence and authenticity.
• Lead internal communications for significant Group-wide initiatives and transformation activity, working with operating businesses to localise messages within global guardrails.
• Partner with HR and other functions to ensure joined‑up communications across the employee lifecycle.

Channels, Engagement & Measurement

• Define the global internal communications channel strategy, ensuring channels are inclusive, accessible and effective across operating contexts.
• Promote two-way communication and colleague voice, encouraging listening and feedback at both Group and local level.
• Set clear expectations for measurement and insight, using data to track effectiveness, share best practice and continuously improve communications.

Knowledge, skills & experience:

Essential

• Senior experience leading internal communications in a complex, multi-market organisation.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing senior practitioners and influencing without direct authority.
• Excellent strategic thinking, storytelling and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience advising executive leaders on high-impact internal communications.

Desirable

• Experience in regulated or operationally complex sectors.
• Strong understanding of purpose-led, values-based and change communications.
• Experience building communities of practice across markets or divisions.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic, pragmatic and collaborative, with strong judgement.
• Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity in a global context.
• Influential and trusted, with the ability to drive alignment without prescriptiveness.
• Passionate about high-quality, inclusive and meaningful internal communication.

This job description sets out the main duties and responsibilities of the job-holder. It does not constitute an exhaustive or comprehensive description of duties and the job holder will be required to carry out any additional tasks as and when requested to do so by their manager. Responsibilities and duties may also change in light of future business needs and personal development.

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th February 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.