At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety strategies to enhance performance across the rail sector.
- Company: Join DFTO, the public sector rail owning group transforming train operations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract until 2027 with excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public transport safety and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in safety management and relevant qualifications like NEBOSH required.
The predicted salary is between 60207 - 73124 £ per year.
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 by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership. DFTO has over 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Primary Purpose of JobLead the continuous development and implementation of DFTO’s Group Strategy to improve its health, safety performance as well as identifying and reviewing high-level group safety risks. Provide strategic health & safety expertise & input to prepare DFTO to be an effective part of Great British Railways, from a health & safety perspective.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the formulation, ongoing development and implementation of DFTO Group’s safety strategies and plans on health and safety.
- Act as an authoritative health & safety specialist for DFTO on H&S matters, providing management assurance to the Group HSS&S Director on legal compliance and risk management.
- Identify and review all H&S risks relevant to the group and advise the Group HSS&S Director on controls.
- Lead the development and implementation of clear health & safety policies and standards.
- Coordinate group health and safety improvement programmes and provide guidance to professionals across TOCs.
- Manage H&S risks and arrangements to achieve compliance with regulations, permits, and licences.
- Support the Group HSS&S Director in developing safety arrangements for Great British Railways.
- Be the Designated Competent Person (DCP) for workforce accidents, providing expert advice on investigation tools and best practices.
- Develop and embed effective performance monitoring arrangements for H&S performance.
- Identify process gaps and lead improvement programmes within DFTO systems.
- Contribute to lessons-learned reviews following incidents or near misses.
- Liaise with external stakeholders on general health and safety matters.
- Significant experience in a management role within a safety function.
- Experience of managing safety and/or health issues.
- Significant experience in development, implementation and ownership of H&S management systems.
- Relevant qualification (e.g. NEBOSH).
- Proven experience in strong management and leadership skills.
- Relevant experience in successful management of Health, Safety on major programmes in the rail industry.
- Membership of relevant professional body.
Duration: Fixed Term contract/secondment until October 2027
Location: Hybrid/London Waterloo & Leeds
Salary: £60,207 - £73,124
Closing date: 8th June 2026
Health and Safety Lead in Leeds employer: DfT Operator
DFTO is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead health and safety initiatives within the public sector rail industry. With a commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, DFTO provides a supportive environment where your expertise can directly contribute to the safety and efficiency of rail services across the UK. Located in vibrant London Waterloo and Leeds, employees benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while being part of a transformative journey towards Great British Railways.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Health and Safety Lead in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the rail industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research DFTO’s current health and safety initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common interview questions and have some insightful questions ready for them too.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your past work in health and safety management. Whether it’s reports, policies, or case studies, we love seeing tangible proof of your skills and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining DFTO and contributing to the future of Great British Railways.
We think you need these skills to ace Health and Safety Lead in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Health and Safety Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in safety management and how it aligns with DFTO's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your qualifications, especially if you have a NEBOSH certification or similar. We’re looking for someone who can bring strong health and safety expertise to the table, so let us know what you've got!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and skills. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on health and safety regulations, especially those relevant to the rail industry. Familiarise yourself with DFTO's current strategies and any recent changes in legislation. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but are also proactive about understanding the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed health and safety issues. Highlight your experience with H&S management systems and how you've led improvement programmes. This will help demonstrate your capability to lead DFTO’s health and safety initiatives.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about the current challenges DFTO faces in health and safety or how they envision the transition to Great British Railways impacting their strategies. This will reflect your strategic thinking and engagement.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role requires strong management and leadership skills, be ready to discuss your leadership style. Share examples of how you've motivated teams or influenced change in previous positions. This will help the interviewers see you as a potential leader within their organisation.
