At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transition of DFTO into GBR, managing complex programmes and driving impactful projects.
- Company: Join DFTO, a key player in transforming Britain's railways for the better.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the rail industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree level with experience in leading multi-stakeholder programmes.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 68205 £ per year.
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 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 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 operators include LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Primary Purpose of Job
To organise, manage, monitor and control the DFTO transition into GBR to enable stand up for GBR Day 1 and beyond, including pre-GBR preparation and transition activities. To receive and apply the outturn of GBR design activities, facilitating integration with other functions and DFTO’s PMO.
Responsibilities
- Establish and lead the programme of transition activity that will see DFTO evolve into GBR, ensuring that all preparatory and delivery work packages are defined and delivered.
- Manage the pre-GBR integration programme including transfers of personnel and capability, associated organisation development and readiness for GBR.
- Provide input on the frameworks and methodologies appropriate to deliver a comprehensive and consistent approach to achieve the successful stand up of GBR on day 1 and beyond.
- Establish and cultivate effective working relationships with the DFTO Executive, senior stakeholders in the rail industry and the teams across the partner organisations to the delivery of GBR.
- Establish a programme delivery structure to drive consistent, high value and effective processes to suit all needs.
- Develop, manage and maintain appropriate documentation relating to the programme and produce Board-level management information as required.
- Work collaboratively with Human Resources (HR) and other DFTO functions to plan and monitor the transitional structure and resources so budgets are used most efficiently.
- Identify requirements for additional resource and lead the recruitment for industry secondments and delivery partner remits for the transition programme.
- Own and lead the analysis of functional business data to provide intelligence and insight to the Functional Director, DFTO PMO and ExCo, in particular, reporting on progress, performance and inform decision-making, especially where intervention/additional support that may be necessary.
- Provide project management and project control standards and advise on best practice for DFTO in order to establish successful delivery of targeted benefits and outcomes.
- Establish and maintain the complicated functional activities of the transition programme, managing dependencies and interfaces with the PMO and lead the proactive identification and resolution of key risks, dependencies and resource requirements to deliver key outputs and benefits.
- Support the Head of Programmes to deliver a coherent, integrated and trustworthy planning base for executive review, tracking and decision-making.
- Develop, own and maintain the functional level Risk Register, planning and implementing responses and mitigations with identified Risk Owners and escalating risks that remain a threat to delivery of the integrated schedule.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
Essential:
- Degree level with Chartered APM status or equivalent
- Comprehensive experience and skills in leading and managing complicated programmes in multi-stakeholder environments
- Strong leadership skills, with the vision and ability to establish cross-industry relationships and drive cultural / organisational change
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with people at all levels across the business and industry stakeholders
- Demonstrable experience of leading and motivating large teams within a large complex/matrix management organisation
- Proven ability to effectively lead, coach, mentor and motivate at all levels within the organization
- Experience advising and working in conjunction with senior staff at Executive and Board level
- Familiarity with agile methods of programme management
Vacancy Details
- Duration: FTC or Secondment until October 2027
- Reports to: Head of Programmes
- Location: Waterloo/Leeds/Birmingham Hybrid
- Salary: Up to £77,000
- Closing Date: 22nd July 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 are planning to commence interviewing as soon as suitable candidates apply; we will not wait until the closing date to commence the recruitment. If you are interested in this opportunity please apply early and do not wait.
We are an inclusive employer of choice and 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, while you have a healthy work life balance.
Contact
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact jason.blakemore at dftoperator.co.uk.
Application instructions: Please apply via the official Apply button. Do not email CVs to the address above.
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