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- Tasks: Support project planning, documentation, and coordination to ensure successful project delivery.
- Company: Join DFTO, a key player in the rail industry focused on enhancing customer experiences.
- Benefits: Up to £34,000 salary, 25 days annual leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making rail journeys smoother and safer for millions.
- Qualifications: Some project management experience and HND/HNC or equivalent education required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 40000 £ per year.
About DfT Operator
DfT Operator Ltd (Department for Transport Operator - DFTO) is the public sector owning group behind eight key train operators: LNER, Northern, Southeast, TransPennine Express, South Western Railway, c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. We’re here to make your rail journeys smoother, safer, and more reliable. Since taking on LNER in 2018, we have focused on delivering better train services, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting performance across the network.
Stats about DFTO:
- 8,500 services each weekday
- 640 million customer journeys across the networks every year
- 30,000 employees
- 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year
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
To provide high-quality project support within the DFTO PMO, enabling Project Managers to deliver projects safely, efficiently and to agreed time, cost and quality parameters. The role supports project controls, reporting, risk, safety compliance and administrative coordination across the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Support project planning and scheduling, maintaining timelines, milestones, and updates to keep the project on track.
- Prepare, maintain, and manage project documentation, including risk logs, issue registers, change logs, meeting minutes, and action trackers.
- Assist in progress monitoring and reporting, gathering data from team members and compiling reports for stakeholders and governance forums.
- Coordinate project meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, tracking actions, and ensuring follow-up.
- Support financial and resource tracking, including monitoring expenditures and preparing updates for budget reports.
- Provide administrative and logistical support, such as diary coordination, document control, system updates, and communication management.
- Assist with procurement-related activities, liaising with suppliers and supporting the preparation of purchase requests or documentation.
- Monitor adherence to project methodology and standards, ensuring documentation, processes, and governance requirements are followed.
- Support risk and issue management, helping identify risks, updating risk registers, and coordinating reviews with project stakeholders.
- Act as a central point of coordination, supporting communication between project team members, PMO, stakeholders, and external partners.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
Essential
- Some management experience including project management.
- Educated to HND/HNC or similar standard.
- HSQE awareness, issues and principles.
Desirable
- Membership (or working towards membership of) the Association for Project Management.
- A degree or equivalent.
- Knowledge of safety, quality, environmental, planning, RAID or commercial and financial aspects.
Vacancy Details
- Duration: 2 year Fixed Term contract/secondment
- Location: London Waterloo/Hybrid
- Salary: up to £34,000
- Closing date: 20th March 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
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 are 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 jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CVs to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
Project Management Assistant employer: DfT Operator
Contact Detail:
DfT Operator Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Management Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research DFTO and its projects. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨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 the interview by practising common project management scenarios. Think about how you would handle risks, track progress, or coordinate meetings. Being ready with examples will make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining DFTO and ready to contribute to making rail journeys smoother for everyone.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Management Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Project Management Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description, especially in project support and coordination.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your management experience and any project management knowledge you have. Mention specific tools or methodologies you’re familiar with, as this will show us you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is by clicking the 'Apply' button on our website. This ensures your application goes directly to us, and we can review it without any hassle!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, brush up on your project management knowledge. Familiarise yourself with common methodologies and tools used in project planning and scheduling. Being able to discuss specific projects you've worked on will show your practical experience and understanding of the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific project challenges, such as risk management or stakeholder communication. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated similar situations, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Project Management Assistant, organisation is key. Be prepared to discuss how you manage documentation, track actions, and coordinate meetings. You might even want to bring a sample of your work (like a project tracker) to demonstrate your skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics, project methodologies used at DFTO, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.