Writer

Job Description

FirstGroup plc is a leading provider of transport services in the UK. We are a major employer, with more than 30,000 people working for us. We carried more than 1.4m passengers per day in the UK and operate a fleet of almost 9,000 buses and rail vehicles across the UK. First Rail operates passenger services across four rail franchises, Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway (GWR), South Western Railway (SWR) and TransPennine Express (TPE)– plus our open access passenger services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We also operate Tramlink in Croydon on behalf of Transport for London and Heathrow Express with Heathrow Airport.

We are seeking a writer who can draft and edit documents. The successful candidate will source, draft, shape and edit content, as well as build templates and style guides for use by colleagues. The role is primarily positioned in fast-paced project environments, and writers will need to meet with and interview subject matter experts in order to create compelling reports and documents for our clients.

The role sits within First Rail Consultancy team which provides expertise and support to FirstGroup’s rail division.

• Managing the document writing process through the stages from initial concept to submitted version
• Sourcing material through a range of methods including receiving draft copy from subject matter experts, revising existing reports, undertaking literature reviews and writing up interviews and workshops
• Developing written and graphical material – ensuring it is in accessible and plain English
• Filling emerging gaps to create seamless and meaningful copy
• Making the subject matter interesting and engaging, even if it is technical and complex
• Sourcing and managing the graphics, including the presentation of data

• Engaging with operating company teams to understand their objectives, priorities, opportunities and constraints
• Participating in reviews, addressing feedback, and actioning any writing outcomes

• Excellent knowledge of grammar and applying house styles and tone of voice
• Capacity to draft quickly and from scratch with the ability to synthesise significant amounts of information
• Expert listener with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of rail and/or specialist subject area and the confidence to represent the document
• Capability to structure documents and lead storyboarding processes
• Ability to collaborate and facilitate closely with colleagues and to cope with multiple subject matters or conflicting pressures at once
• Knowledge of working within a controlled project or programme environment
• High degree of competence in MS Office tools such as MS Word and MS PowerPoint, for example skills in building document templates and being able to act as the first point of contact for technical issues with the above tools

• Copywriting in business and/or technical environments
• Producing complex documents as part of a large team
• Taking information from technical specialists and presenting it in accessible plain English
• Developing strategies and plans for operational teams to deliver
• Working to demanding and sometimes changing project milestones
• Consulting or rail bid experience is desirable but by no means essential

• Employer contribution Pension scheme
• 25 days holiday plus national bank holidays
• Travel offers for Bus and Rail*
• Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a charity of your choice
• Shopping discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
• All employee Share Schemes*
• Buy as You Earn – Buy as you earn share scheme*
• Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
• Hybrid working/part time working considered

• After 6 months employment

FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer base.