Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategy development for a ÂŁ3bn/year rail industry transformation.
- Company: Join the government’s public sector rail owning group, DFTO.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and networking opportunities.
- Other info: Permanent role based in London with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of Great British Railways.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy development and understanding of commercial issues required.
The predicted salary is between 47052 - 47052 ÂŁ 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, delivering 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 – LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. 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.
Senior Strategy Adviser – Key Responsibilities
- Rapidly getting up to speed with a developing but high‑profile policy area that will bring significant change to the rail industry worth £3bn/year and is critical to the transition to Great British Railways.
- Leading development of key sections of an “interim” rolling stock and infrastructure strategy that provides a framework for decision‑making on rolling stock and infrastructure ahead of the full strategy, enabling IPDC to make decisions worth several hundred millions of pounds.
- Leading a programme of engagement with key internal stakeholders such as the Head of Train Service, Rolling Stock and Depots, and the Head of Network Interfaces to support development of a future rolling stock and infrastructure needs assessment.
- Lead engagement with teams developing various alternative strategies for the supply of rolling stock and associated infrastructure, in line with other industry strategies and DfT policies, particularly the emerging Long Term Rail Strategy, working with and coordinating other workstreams as needed.
- Developing positive working relationships with key stakeholders and using operational stakeholder expertise to inform policy decisions.
Additional Contributions
- Ongoing communication with other teams across RSG and MPRG around rolling stock and infrastructure decisions, to ensure consistency with the interim and emerging strategies.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
This role requires experience of strategy development and a strong understanding of commercial, financial and economic issues. Rail industry experience is not required.
Minimum evidence required:
- Experience of strategy development.
- Experience of analysing commercial, financial and economic issues.
Qualifications & Development
Completion of the Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP) Foundation accreditation after joining.
Vacancy Details
- Duration: Permanent or Secondment
- Location: London Waterloo
- Salary: up to ÂŁ47,052
- Closing date: 10th May 2026
Benefits
- Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 years, up to a maximum of 5 additional days (30 days).
- DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.
- Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.
Contact
If you have any questions or require reasonable adjustments, please contact Amra Hurley.
Senior Strategy Adviser in London employer: DfT Operator
Contact Detail:
DfT Operator Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategy Adviser in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research DFTO's recent projects and their impact on the rail industry. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your strategy development experience can contribute to DFTO’s mission. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 the DFTO team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategy Adviser in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and the company. Dive into the job description and pick out key responsibilities and skills. This will help us tailor your application to show how you fit right in!
Be Specific: When detailing your experience, don’t just list your previous jobs. Use specific examples that highlight your strategy development skills and understanding of commercial issues. We want to see how your past experiences relate directly to what we’re looking for.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the rail industry and public service shine through! Share why you’re excited about the opportunity to contribute to the transition to Great British Railways. A bit of personality can go a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application as strong as possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the rail industry, even if you don’t have direct experience. Brush up on current trends, especially around public ownership and the transition to Great British Railways. This will show your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with key internal stakeholders. Think about examples from your past where you successfully collaborated with different teams. This is crucial for a Senior Strategy Adviser role, so be ready to share your strategies.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your experience in analysing commercial, financial, and economic issues. Bring specific examples of how your analysis has influenced strategy development in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to make informed decisions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the interim rolling stock strategy or how they envision the transition to Great British Railways. This shows you’re thinking ahead and are genuinely interested.