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The Stuart Ross Communications Internship is a diversity initiative targeted at increasing the number of people from under-represented groups entering in
the Public Relations, Communications and Marketing industries.
The programme has been highly successful, and our interns have gone on to work in Communications both the public sector and private sector organisations, including to some senior positions in organisations as varied as the NHS, Network Rail,
the Arts Council and TfL.
What will I be doing?
You’ll learn the essential skills you need to start your career in the communications industry in a fast-paced environment. You will have the opportunity to develop
your written and verbal communication skills to reach a range of different audiences, including customers, the media, businesses, stakeholder groups and politicians.
As part of the team, you’ll be involved from the outset in key projects, creating campaigns, influencing how customers use London’s transport network and helping to
shape TfL’s reputation.
During your 11-month internship, you will collaborate with teams across the organisation and gain a solid understanding of London’s transport network as well as building your skills in several specialities such as Public Relations, Public Affairs and Marketing.
You will be based in one of three teams, below, and will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in another area.
TfL Press Office
One of the UK's busiest press offices where you'll gain all the essential skills you need to start your career in Public Relations. You'll be involved in handling the big stories of the day affecting TfL as well as delivering dedicated stories and campaigns. You’ll learn the full range of Public Relations skills needed to work in the industry, from writing press releases, dealing with journalists and crisis handling to generating ideas for high profile campaigns and organising media events. These could include campaigns to tackle sexual harassment on public transport, Art on the Underground or Poppy Day.
TfL Customer Directorate
This team champions and is the voice of TfL’s customers, through marketing, customer information, behaviour change and income generating campaigns. From day
one you’ll be involved in beginning to end of campaigns, learn how to use the best channels to inform customers and influence their travel behaviours and be involved
in using customer feedback, research and data to problem-solve customers’ frustrations and provide best-in-class customer experience and information.
TfL External Relations
This includes Government Relations and Stakeholder, Advocacy & Engagement who are responsible for building and maintaining productive partnerships with
customer and representative groups, businesses, charities, politicians and many others. During your time you will be provided with 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 how we improve our policies and services and briefing senior TfL officials in preparation for meetings, events and speeches.
Entry requirements
Applications for joining TfL in 2025 are sought from candidates with specific protected characteristics who are:
- 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, they 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 those from ethnic minorities and/or having a disability to apply for the scheme is aligned with the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010. This allows for an employer to take certain actions where people who share a protected characteristic, such as being of a certain ethnic minority, are underrepresented in participating in a particular activity. The Government guide to Positive Action in the Workplace sets out further detail on Section 158 ((General) positive action) of the Equality Act at Sections 8-9.
What do we look for?
Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:
- Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work
- Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together
- Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate
Assessment process
The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.
What we offer
You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards include:
- Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
- Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel
- Minimum 28 days Annual leave (Pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays.
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
