Functional Integration Manager in London

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), Southeastern, 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:

The Functional Integration Manager will play a key role in delivering the transition of business support functions into Great British Railways (GBR), so that integration activities are effectively planned, coordinated and implemented while maintaining DFTO's existing accountabilities and operational performance.

Working closely with the Head of Functional Integration and DFTO Functional Directors, the postholder will act as a trusted business partner, translating complex rail reform programmes, governance frameworks and organisational change requirements into practical, actionable delivery plans. The role will support the development of integrated functions, facilitate organisational change, and promote a culture of continuous improvement that will be embedded in DFTO and transition into GBR.

Key Responsibilities:

Functional Integration Delivery

• Support and deliver the integration of business support functions as part of the transition to Great British Railways.
• Provide professional expertise so that integration activities are effectively planned, coordinated and implemented while safeguarding DFTO's current responsibilities and operational commitments.
• Monitor progress against integration plans, identifying risks, dependencies and opportunities for improvement.

Business Partnering and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted business partner to DFTO Functional Directors, working alongside the Head of Functional Integration to support the development of future integrated GBR functions.
• Build effective relationships across DFTO, Train Operating Companies (TOCs), Infrastructure Routes (IRs), and wider rail reform partners.
• Facilitate collaboration between functional teams to drive alignment of priorities, delivery plans and implementation activities.

GBR Accountability Framework Implementation

• Analyse, interpret and implement the implications of the GBR Accountability Framework for DFTO functions.
• Work closely with DFTO client management and contract management teams so that roles, responsibilities, governance and accountabilities remain clear throughout transition.
• Support the development and embedding of supporting processes, controls and operating procedures.

Change Management and Transformation

• Work collaboratively with change and transformation teams across multiple disciplines, including Human Resources, Finance, Digital and Corporate Services.
• Establish and maintain a network of change practitioners to support implementation activity across DFTO and its subsidiaries.
• Develop and coordinate change interventions that help teams understand and adapt to reform-related changes.
• Act as a change champion, promoting engagement, readiness and adoption of new ways of working.

Programme Integration and Delivery

• Work closely with the Rail Reform Portfolio Office, DFTO PMO and GBR Design and Implementation Programme PMO to drive alignment across programmes and workstreams.
• Translate complex programme requirements, plans and dependencies into practical and actionable work packages.
• Develop delivery products, tools and implementation materials that support operational teams in executing transition activities.
• Support the delivery and tracking of implementation activities across DFTO and subsidiary organisations.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the design and implementation of tools, processes and methodologies that foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve organisational performance, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Embed continuous improvement approaches that can be sustained through transition into GBR.
• Monitor and report on the benefits and outcomes achieved through improvement initiatives.

Governance, Risk and Assurance

• Support effective governance and reporting arrangements across integration activities so that delivery plans are supported by robust controls assurance processes and performance reporting.
• Identify, assess and manage integration risks and issues, escalating where appropriate.
• Contribute to programme and executive-level reporting on progress, risks and outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:

Essential criteria

• Experience delivering business change, organisational integration or transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working within complex programme or project environments.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives and programme requirements into practical delivery plans.
• Knowledge of change management principles and implementation techniques.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing risks, dependencies and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.

Desirable criteria

• Experience within the rail, transport or public sector sectors.
• Understanding of GBR reform and the wider rail industry structure.
• Experience working within programme management office (PMO) environments.
• Knowledge of governance, accountability and assurance frameworks.
• Professional qualifications in programme, project or change management.

Key Deliverables

Success in the role will be demonstrated through:

• Successful delivery of assigned functional integration activities.
• Effective implementation of GBR-related changes within DFTO functions.
• Maintenance of DFTO operational performance and accountability during transition.
• Positive engagement and collaboration with functional directors and stakeholders.
• Delivery of high-quality work packages and implementation products.
• Effective operation of change practitioner networks and change activities.
• Increased organisational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Timely identification and management of risks, issues and dependencies.
• Meaningful contribution to the successful establishment of Great British Railways.

Vacancy Details:

Duration: Fixed Term up to 31st March 2028 contract/secondment
Location: We currently have officesin London Waterloo, Leeds, Birmingham
Salary Band: £61,137 to £67,930
Closing date: 13th November2026

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 Dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk.

Please do not email any CV's to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.