Industrial Relations Analyst

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 - and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.

DFTO has over 30,000 employees, runs over 11,000 services a day and delivers over 930 million customer journeys across its networks every year. 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year

Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeast, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia, WM Trains, GTR. and Chiltern.

We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Job:

Support the effective delivery of Industrial Relations activity through high quality information management, documentation, data and reporting. This role combines coordination, information management, analysis and stakeholder management to provide insight, maintain accuracy and compliance, and support the successful delivery of IR priorities and projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare, draft and issue Industrial Relations contractual documentation between DFTO, DfT and Train Operating Companies, upholding high standards so documents are accurate, complete, compliant and aligned to agreed governance standards, whilst maintaining a clear understanding of the purpose and significance of each document.
• Collate and synthesise information from a wide range of stakeholders and sources to support Industrial Relations activity, supporting a comprehensive understanding of key issues and the resolution of key business challenges
• Review and quality assure data and information submissions, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, inaccuracies and areas requiring clarification, and proactively engaging stakeholders to reach timely resolution.
• Interrogate complex I.R datasets, reports and information sources to identify patterns, trends, risks and emerging issues, translating findings into meaningful insight that supports effective decision-making and problem solving
• Produce high-quality management information, reports and analysis, presenting complex information in a clear and accessible format to support operational oversight and governance requirements.
• Own and maintain the Industrial Relations Dashboard, maintaining data integrity, relevance and usability, and using insight to highlight performance trends, risks and areas for further investigation.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across DFTO, DfT and TOCs, communicating clearly and professionally to coordinate activity, manage expectations and facilitate informed decision-making.
• Develop and maintain robust information management, record-keeping and document control systems, including SharePoint sites, filing structures and document repositories, so that records remain accessible, auditable and effectively governed.
• Monitor and track the progression of Industrial Relations activities and governance processes, highlighting actions, approvals, dependencies and key milestones, and escalating risks or delays where appropriate.
• Create and maintain datasets that can be used by the wider HR community for reference to support understanding of complex agreements and terms and conditions.
• Liaise with wider business teams to coordinate where necessary, any output of Industrial Relations outcomes so changes are accurately reflected in systems processes and employee records.
• Drive continuous improvement across Industrial Relations processes, systems and reporting, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, improve data quality, strengthen controls and enhance the overall effectiveness of team operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:

Essential

• Demonstrable administrative experience, or equivalent experience in a role requiring strong organisation and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage high volumes of information, documents and competing priorities.
• Good analytical judgement, including the ability to understand the purpose of proposals, identify key points and recognise when something does not look right.
• Ability to work confidently with data, reports and management information, and translate insights from a range of information sources
• Experience preparing, processing or coordinating formal documentation, ideally where accuracy, version control and audit trail are important.
• Strong analytical skills and use of databases.
• A proactive and inquisitive approach, with the confidence to challenge information constructively, identify improvements and take ownership of assigned activities.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy, especially when handling formal or sensitive material.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and confidence in engaging with and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• An interest in employment relations and workforce issues, with a willingness and enthusiasm to develop knowledge and expertise in Industrial Relations.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working with or within Government Departments.
• Experience working within a legal, HR, compliance, governance, or regulated environment.
• Knowledge of document management systems, records retention requirements and good information governance practice.
• A sound understanding of confidentiality, discretion and data protection principles.
• A practical interest in how AI and digital tools can be used safely to improve administrative efficiency, consistency and insight.

Key Deliverables:

• Accurate, timely and well-governed Industrial Relations contractual documentation and records.
• High-quality management information, reporting and dashboard content that provides meaningful insight into Industrial Relations activity, risks and trends.
• Robust data quality, with issues, inconsistencies and information gaps identified and resolved promptly.
• Well-managed information repositories, SharePoint sites and record-keeping systems that support compliance, governance and ease of access

Vacancy Details:

Duration: Fixed Term up to 31st March 2028 contract/secondmentLocation: We currently have officesin London Waterloo, Leeds, BirminghamSalary: £36,000 to £44,088
Closing date: 30th October2026

DFTO Locations:

DFTO currently have office locations in London, Birmingham and Leeds and individuals can be based from any of the three locations. Whilst we do offer hybrid working there are sometimes demands to travel to the other office locations.

DFTO Benefits:

• Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days)
• DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution
• Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Additional Information…

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Contact:

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact Name Dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk

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