At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead integration activities for the transition to Great British Railways and ensure business continuity.
- Company: Join DFTO, the public sector rail owning group transforming train operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of rail services in the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading organisational change and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 115503 - 128337 £ per year.
About 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.
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: Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of business function integration activities that support the transition to Great British Railways (GBR). Acting as a strategic business partner to DFTO functional directors, the role will translate emerging policy, operating models and organisational design into practical, deliverable implementation plans that protect business continuity while enabling successful reform. The postholder will provide leadership and direction so that people, processes, systems, governance and culture are effectively integrated across organisations, creating a coherent pathway from current-state operations to the future GBR model. They will play a critical role in balancing reform delivery with the safe and effective continuation of existing obligations and business plan commitments.
Key Deliverables:
- Delivery of agreed functional integration strategies and implementation plans.
- Achievement of key GBR transition milestones.
- Maintenance of DFTO business continuity throughout reform activities.
- Effective management of integration risks and dependencies.
- Positive stakeholder engagement and collaboration across organisations.
- Measurable efficiency and performance improvements resulting from continuous improvement initiatives.
- Successful translation of policy and organisational design into operational delivery.
- High-quality contribution to the GBR Implementation Plan and wider rail reform programme.
Key Responsibilities:
- Functional Integration Strategy: Lead the development of integration strategies for DFTO business support functions as part of the establishment of GBR. Develop clear, actionable and appropriately resourced implementation plans to support the integration of functional teams, processes, systems and capabilities across organisations. Translate emerging GBR design decisions, policies and operating models into practical plans that can be understood and delivered by functions across DFTO and partner organisations. Provide leadership and oversight so that integration activity aligns with wider rail reform objectives while maintaining operational effectiveness.
- Pre-GBR Integration Activities: Design and deliver preparatory integration activity between DFTO and rail reform partners ahead of GBR vesting. Identify opportunities for early collaboration, alignment and standardisation that will support a smoother transition to GBR. Establish governance, reporting and assurance arrangements to monitor progress and manage risks.
- Strategic Business Partnering: Act as a trusted adviser and business partner to DFTO Functional Directors. Work closely with senior leaders, exercise influencing and leadership so that integration plans fully consider people, capability, organisational design, systems, procedures, governance and cultural implications. Provide strategic challenge and support so that reform activity is deliverable alongside business-as-usual responsibilities.
- Business Continuity and Risk Management: Develop and maintain continuity plans so that all existing DFTO obligations are fulfilled throughout the transition period. Build and lead cross-organisational coalitions to secure alignment and commitment to continuity arrangements. Identify and mitigate risks arising from reform and integration activities, raising awareness and managing responses so that impacts on DFTO, Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and Infrastructure Routes (IRs) are fully understood and managed.
- GBR Implementation and Delivery: Contribute significantly to the design and development of the GBR Implementation Plan so that all relevant DFTO considerations are appropriately reflected within wider implementation planning. Work collaboratively with implementation teams across the rail industry to develop a coherent, integrated and risk-managed delivery programme. Create practical work packages, implementation products and delivery tools that can be deployed across DFTO and its subsidiaries. Support the mobilisation and delivery of these work packages, driving consistency of approach and delivery outcomes.
- Operating Model and Accountability Framework: Lead the translation of the GBR Accountability Framework into operational products, processes and governance arrangements that align with DFTO responsibilities. Design and implement new processes or frameworks required to support successful reform where ownership has not been established elsewhere. Define and embed accountability structures across relevant stakeholders.
- Continuous Improvement and Organisational Effectiveness: Develop and implement a continuous improvement methodology across DFTO. Drive measurable improvements in organisational performance, efficiency and effectiveness that can be sustained and transferred into GBR. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and learning across teams and functions.
- Strategy Translation and Change Leadership: Capture emerging government, industry and organisational strategy and policy positions and translate them into actionable plans with measurable outcomes. Convert ambiguity and evolving design concepts into clear implementation activities that support delivery while minimising disruption to business plan commitments. Support senior stakeholders through complex change by providing clarity, structure and delivery focus.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:
Essential criteria:
- Significant experience leading large-scale organisational change, transformation or integration programmes.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous and politically sensitive environments.
- Strong programme and implementation planning expertise, including development of integrated delivery plans.
- Experience influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders and executive leaders.
- Demonstrable track record of translating strategy into practical delivery activity.
- Strong understanding of organisational design, change management and business transformation principles.
- Experience of developing governance, assurance and risk management frameworks.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to build consensus and alignment across multiple organisations with differing priorities.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience within the rail, transport or public sector environment.
- Knowledge of GBR reform, rail industry structures and operating models.
- Understanding of business support functions including HR, Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Digital and Corporate Services.
- Professional programme, project or change management qualifications.
Vacancy Details:
- Duration: Fixed Term up to 31st March 2028 contract/secondment
- Location: We currently have offices in London Waterloo, Leeds, Birmingham
- Salary Bandings: £115,503 to £128,337
- Closing date: 18th November 2026
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
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact Dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk
Head of Functional Integration employer: DfT Operator
DFTO is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative change in Britain's railway system while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture. With competitive benefits such as a generous annual leave policy and a robust pension scheme, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their careers within a dynamic environment that values flexibility and collaboration across multiple locations including London, Birmingham, and Leeds.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Functional Integration
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Functional Integration
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