Programme Manager (GBR Transition)

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 24,000 employees, runs over 6,500 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year, accounting for 28% of total UK passenger journeys and 32% 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), Southeast, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c and Greater Anglia. Our vision is to unify and strengthen train operators under the DFTO banner, working collaboratively to become industry‑leading in safety, customer service, financial and operational performance.

Vacancy Details

• Duration: 2 Year FTC.
• Reports to: Programme Director/ Future Head of PMO.
• Location: Waterloo/Hybrid.
• Salary: Up to.
• 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.

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.

Key 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 the DFTO PMO 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 to the Head of PMO.

Essential: Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications

• 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 (Desirable).

Additional Information

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact HM / Resourcer – dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk.

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.