Stuart Ross Communications Internship

Stuart Ross Communications Internship

Organisation - HR Director
Job - Stuart Ross Internship
Position Type - Full Time

Thank you for your interest in applying for the Stuart Ross Internship.

Candidates are reminded to ensure they are eligible for this scheme before applying. They should carefully read through the eligibility criteria below and ensure they meet the requirements before applying.

The application will include a series of questions to determine eligibility. It is important to take great care in reading and answering these questions, as any errors made during the application process cannot be corrected once submitted.

Please Note: Only one application is allowed for any of TfL’s Graduate schemes per year. Any additional applications will be withdrawn.

Creating inclusive opportunities for the next generation of communicators

£25,294 (in line with London Living Wage)

The Stuart Ross Communications Internship is a diversity initiative aimed at increasing the number of individuals from under-represented groups entering the Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing industries. To learn more about the internship and its background, click here.

The programme has been highly successful, with past interns progressing into roles in both public and private sector organisations, including senior positions at the NHS, Network Rail, the Arts Council, and TfL.

• Free travel on the TfL network for the intern and a nominee who lives in the same household.
• Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel.
• Minimum of 30 days of annual leave (pro-rata), plus public and bank holidays.
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme.
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers, and many more.

11 months. Full-time, Monday to Friday.

Applications for joining TfL in 2025 are sought from candidates with specific protected characteristics who meet the following criteria:

• From Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic backgrounds and/or
• People with a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents and/or
• Individuals from a disadvantaged socio-economic background

Additionally, applicants must be either:

• A graduate with, or an undergraduate on track to achieve, a minimum 2:2 in any degree, or
• A non-graduate with no more than one year’s paid experience in the communications industry such as public relations, public affairs, marketing, stakeholder engagement, media, or other related fields.

The opportunity for individuals from ethnic minorities and/or those with a disability to apply for the scheme aligns with the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010, which allows an employer to take specific actions to address under-representation in certain activities. The Government’s guide to Positive Action in the Workplace provides further detail on Section 158 (General positive action) of the Equality Act at Sections 8-9.

As a public sector body, TfL is required under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to advance the Public Sector Equality Duty, which ensures TfL not only eliminates discrimination but also works to advance equality of opportunity for individuals with protected characteristics.

Up to 50% of time can be spent working from home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements may change subject to business needs. This internship benefits from regular office attendance.

The intern will learn the essential skills needed to start a career in the communications industry within a fast-paced environment. They will have the opportunity to develop both written and verbal communication skills to engage various audiences, including customers, media, businesses, stakeholder groups, and politicians. As part of the team, the intern will be involved from the outset in key projects, creating campaigns, influencing customer engagement with London’s transport network, and contributing to shaping TfL’s reputation.

Throughout the 11-month internship, the intern will collaborate with teams across the organisation and gain a comprehensive understanding of London’s transport network. They will also build expertise in specialities such as Public Relations, Public Affairs, and Marketing.

The intern will be based in one of three teams and may have the opportunity to undertake a placement in another area.

In one of the UK’s busiest press offices, the intern will gain essential skills for a career in Public Relations. They will be involved in handling major stories affecting TfL, as well as delivering specific stories and campaigns. The intern will develop a full range of Public Relations skills, from writing press releases and engaging with journalists to crisis management and generating ideas for high-profile campaigns. Potential campaigns may include tackling sexual harassment on public transport, Art on the Underground, or Poppy Day.

This team represents the voice of TfL’s customers through marketing, customer information, behaviour change, and income-generating campaigns. From day one, the intern will be involved in the creation of campaigns, learning how to effectively communicate with customers and influence travel behaviours. The intern will also work with customer feedback, research, and data to address customer frustrations and help provide the best possible customer experience and information.

This team includes Government Relations and Stakeholder, Advocacy & Engagement, responsible for building and maintaining productive partnerships with customer and representative groups, businesses, charities, politicians, and other stakeholders. During the internship, the intern will gain all the skills necessary for a career in Public Affairs, including developing relationships with key stakeholders, monitoring events and third-party positions on transport and related issues, responding to casework, ensuring feedback informs policies and services, and briefing senior TfL officials for meetings, events, and speeches.

TfL seeks individuals who are motivated to learn and gain experience during their internship. Candidates should be passionate about a career in communications, public relations, marketing, or public affairs and should be effective team players who can work collaboratively, as well as independently.

The intern will be supported through practical experience, placements, training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

The intern will receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from:

• Placement manager: Responsible for day-to-day management and support with development.
• Scheme sponsor: A senior manager who provides technical and professional advice and has line manager responsibility.
• Buddy: Usually a previous intern or graduate.
• Development adviser: Provides career coaching and supports professional development and progression within TfL.

TfL is also a Disability Confident employer and operates a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for candidates with a disability. Candidates who require reasonable adjustments for any stage of the application process or internship can contact the recruitment team.

Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos. TfL operates in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world, and its communications teams play a pivotal role in telling this story.

The application process consists of five stages, including online assessments, which must be completed within an allocated time frame. Candidates are strongly encouraged to read through the process document thoroughly to familiarise themselves with the stages.

Candidates should upload qualification certificates with their application. If they are awaiting final exams or need to submit certificates at a later stage, these can be provided later.

TfL operates a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for candidates with a disability.

As a Disability Confident employer, TfL offers guaranteed interviews to candidates who apply via the scheme and meet the minimum criteria for skills, knowledge, and experience.

The candidate experience is underpinned by a fair and robust reasonable adjustments process, in collaboration with TfL’s Occupational Health team and other expert organisations.

To contact the recruitment team:

• Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:30)
• Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

Candidates requiring reasonable adjustments can contact the recruitment team for assistance.