DFTO Senior Compliance Manager in London

About DFT Operator

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 23,000 employees, runs over 6,000 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 26% of total UK passenger journeys and 30% of passenger miles. Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c & Greater Anglia.

Primary Purpose of Job:

The Senior Compliance Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping, driving, and overseeing the compliance agenda across DFTO and all subsidiary Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Working closely with the Group Head of Compliance, the post-holder will lead the development of the Group’s compliance strategy, ensure robust policies and frameworks are in place, and drive effective implementation and assurance activities across the organisation. They will provide expert guidance on legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations including those under the Framework Agreement with the Department for Transport - ensuring compliance risks are clearly understood, well managed, and proactively mitigated. As the strategic lead for compliance, they will manage and mentor a small team of Compliance Managers responsible for (1) policy and strategy and (2) delivery and implementation, ensuring alignment, consistency, and high-quality outputs across the compliance function. The Senior Compliance Manager will also chair the Group Compliance Steering Committee, providing authoritative direction, fostering collaboration across all TOCs, and promoting a culture of best practice, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the Group.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership and Governance
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Group-wide compliance strategy, frameworks, and policies.
  • Chair the Group Compliance Steering Committee, setting its agenda, ensuring alignment across TOCs, and driving improvements in compliance standards and outcomes.
  • Act as a senior advisor to the Group Head of Compliance and DFTO leadership on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and compliance priorities.
  • Promote a strong compliance culture across the Group through proactive engagement, training, and communications.
• Team Leadership and Management
  • Line-manage two Compliance Managers (Policy & Strategy, and Delivery & Implementation), conducting regular 1:1s, providing coaching, guidance, and objective setting.
  • Oversee and review the work of the compliance team to ensure consistency, rigour, and effectiveness in delivering the compliance programme.
  • Build a high-performing compliance function, fostering collaboration, professional development, and shared accountability.
• Compliance Monitoring, Assurance and Reporting
  • Deliver and oversee risk-based compliance monitoring, assurance activities, and thematic reviews across DFTO and the TOCs.
  • Track and follow up on remedial actions to ensure timely closure of issues, non-compliance, and audit findings.
  • Prepare high-quality reports and insights for the Compliance Committee and other governance forums.
  • Lead or support cross-TOC reviews to embed consistency in standards and share best practice.
• Operational Compliance Oversight
  • Investigate and manage escalated compliance breaches, incidents, and areas of concern, ensuring appropriate action is taken.
  • Provide expert advice on compliance matters, including GDPR, Bribery Act, Modern Slavery Act, Equality Act, public sector regulations, and transport-specific regulatory obligations.
  • Monitor regulatory and policy developments and ensure DFTO responds proactively and appropriately.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
  • Collaborate with Legal, Risk, Audit, HR, Operations and other key functions to ensure frameworks are aligned and insights are shared.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across DFTO and TOCs to support a unified approach to compliance management.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:

• Degree-level education.
• Recognised compliance, legal, risk, or audit qualification (e.g. ICA, CCEP, IIA, ACCA) desirable.
• Significant experience in a senior compliance, legal, audit, or regulatory role within a complex organisation.
• Experience in the transport sector, regulated industries, or wider public sector desirable.
• Demonstrable experience in leading policy development, compliance strategy, and assurance activity.
• Experience managing and developing professional staff and building effective teams.
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management and assurance frameworks.
• Knowledge of both public and private sector compliance environments desirable.

Vacancy Details

• Duration: 2 year Fixed Term contract/secondment
• Reports to: Group Head of Compliance
• Location: London Waterloo/Hybrid (to be discussed at interview stage)
• Salary: up to £70,272
• Closing date: 5th February 2026

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

We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly. 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.