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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Enforcement function, ensuring robust legal strategies and high-quality outcomes.
- Company: Join DFTO, the public sector rail owning group transforming UK railways.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of UK railways while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive experience in criminal and civil litigation.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 108000 - 162000 £ per year.
Overview
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 23,000 employees, runs over 6,000 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 26% of total UK passenger journeys and 30% 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), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c & Great Anglia.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the strategy and vision for the Enforcement function across the DFTO Group, ensuring a robust, consistent response to offences that protects the rail network’s reputation and recovers financial losses.
- Build, lead and motivate a high-performing team of legal professionals and case managers, promoting professional development to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes on complex criminal and civil litigation matters.
- Oversee all court proceedings relating to Railway Offences and ensure that all DFTO TOCs are compliantly represented in court.
- Oversee complex cases and ensure appropriate management and successful outcomes.
- Lead or oversee settlement negotiations and alternative dispute resolutions where appropriate.
- Provide high quality, professional and strategic legal advice to the business through the leadership of the Enforcement function, having primary legal responsibility for complex and/or high value Railway Offences, achieving successful outcomes for the business.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with executive and senior leadership within DFTO and TOCs to advise and guide effectively.
- Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including DfT, Network Rail, law enforcement, and external counsel, to facilitate collaboration and alignment on enforcement priorities.
- Lead or provide expert oversight of the development and implementation of group-wide policies and procedures relating to Railway Offences, ensuring the railway is protected by clear, compliant, and enforceable frameworks.
- As part of the senior leadership team in the wider legal function, provide expert contributions to group-level legal initiatives, projects and reporting to facilitate strategic development of the Group legal function.
- Oversee and direct continuous improvement initiatives within the team to achieve effective, consistent and quality outcomes across the wider group.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of governance and reporting frameworks for all Railway Offence cases, maintaining compliance with statutory reporting obligations.
- Lead engagement with industry forums and government bodies on Railway Offences enforcement matters, influencing policy and maintaining a strong external reputation.
- Own and oversee management of the budget for the Enforcement function, including oversight of external counsel spend and cost-control measures.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with the authority to conduct litigation, admitted to practice in England & Wales, with proven experience working in a senior leadership role for a reputable law firm/chambers/in-house organisation.
- Significant post-qualification experience (10 years+) in criminal litigation, including case preparation and advocacy in complex or high-value matters.
- Proven experience in civil litigation, particularly in areas such as fraud recovery and debt claims.
- Expert knowledge of criminal law, criminal and civil procedure, and relevant railway regulations.
- Demonstrable ability to lead and manage a legal team in a high-pressure, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Strong advocacy skills, with experience representing organisations or clients in court proceedings and negotiations.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.
- Proven ability to develop and implement legal strategies, policies, and governance frameworks.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex legal and risk issues in accessible terms.
- Experience in managing budgets and financial oversight for legal functions.
Vacancy Details
- Duration: Permanent
- Reports to: Group General Counsel
- Location: Hybrid/London Waterloo/Leeds
- Salary: up to £135,000
- Closing date: 13th February 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.
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
Contact: jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CVs to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
Enforcement General Counsel in Leeds employer: DFTO
Contact Detail:
DFTO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Enforcement General Counsel in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching DFTO and its mission. Understand the current challenges in the rail sector and think about how your skills can help tackle them. This will show that you’re not just another candidate but someone genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role of Enforcement General Counsel. Keep it concise and impactful – remember, first impressions count!
✨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 the DFTO team. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Enforcement General Counsel in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in criminal and civil litigation. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Enforcement General Counsel, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've motivated teams or managed complex cases in high-pressure environments. We love seeing candidates who can inspire others!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use plain English to explain your legal expertise and experiences. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex legal matters!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at DFTO
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of criminal and civil law, especially as it pertains to railway regulations. Be ready to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential leader in the Enforcement function, be prepared to share examples of how you've built and motivated high-performing teams. Highlight your experience in managing legal professionals and achieving successful outcomes in high-pressure environments.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with various stakeholders, including executive leadership and external bodies. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced policy or collaborated on enforcement priorities in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in plain English. The interviewers will want to see that you can communicate effectively with non-legal stakeholders, so think about how you can simplify your explanations without losing the essence of the legal issues.
