Stuart Ross Communications Internship

Internship Overview

The Stuart Ross Communications Internship is a diversity initiative targeted at increasing the number of people from under-represented groups entering the Public Relations, Communications and Marketing industries.

What you will be doing:

You’ll learn essential skills for a career in the communications industry in a fast-paced environment. You will develop your written and verbal communication skills to reach a range of audiences, including customers, the media, businesses, stakeholder groups, and politicians.

As part of the team, you’ll be involved in key projects from the outset, 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, gain a solid understanding of London’s transport network, and build your skills in specialities such as Public Relations, Public Affairs, and Marketing.

You will be based in one of three teams, with the opportunity to undertake a placement in another area:

TfL Press Office

Gain essential Public Relations skills in one of the UK's busiest press offices. You'll handle major stories affecting TfL, deliver dedicated stories and campaigns, and learn a full range of PR skills including writing press releases, dealing with journalists, crisis handling, generating ideas for high-profile campaigns, and organising media events.

TfL Customer Directorate

This team champions and represents TfL’s customers through marketing, customer information, behaviour change, and income-generating campaigns. You’ll be involved in campaigns from beginning to end, learn to use the best channels to inform customers and influence their travel behaviours, and use customer feedback, research, and data to solve customer frustrations and provide best-in-class customer experience and information.

TfL External Relations

This includes Government Relations and Stakeholder, Advocacy & Engagement. You will build and maintain productive partnerships with customer and representative groups, businesses, charities, politicians, and others. You will develop skills for a career in Public Affairs, including building relationships with key stakeholders, monitoring events and third-party positions on transport and related issues, responding to casework, ensuring feedback informs policy and service improvements, and briefing senior TfL officials.

Training and Support:

You will receive a wide range of on-the-job practical experience and placements, combined with training, mentoring, and networking.

You'll also get one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from:

• Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and development support.
• Scheme sponsor: A senior manager acting as a technical and professional adviser with line manager responsibility.
• Buddy: Usually a previous intern or graduate.
• Development adviser: Supports your professional development through career coaching and progression at TfL.

What we look for:

We’re looking for people who are:

• Motivated to learn and gain experience during their internship at TfL.
• Passionate about a career in communications, public relations, marketing, or public affairs.
• Team players who thrive working with others, as well as independently.

Our core values are extremely important, 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.

Entry Requirements:

Applications for joining TfL in 2027 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) and/or
• Individuals from a disadvantaged socio-economic background.

All candidates must be at least 18 years of age by the internship start date (6th September 2027).

Additionally, they must be either:

• A graduate with a minimum 2:2 in any degree, or an undergraduate on track to achieve this, 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.

Benefits:

• Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee.
• Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel.
• Minimum 28 days annual leave (pro rata) plus public and bank holidays.
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme.
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers.

Application Process:

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which must be completed within an allocated time frame. You have 1 week to complete online assessments, and these cannot be re-issued once the deadline passes.

Assessment centres for graduate and intern roles will take place from November - January. The assessment centre for the Stuart Ross Communications Internship is scheduled to be held in-person, in London, on the 14th and 15th January 2027.

Right to Work:

Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the scheme. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa scheme.