Compliance Project Manager

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 to deliver improvements 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 each year. 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year.

Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeast, 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.

Primary Purpose of Job

We are seeking a dynamic and energetic Compliance Project Manager to support new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) as they transition from private sector operations to public ownership. The role will focus on providing guidance, training, and practical support on compliance requirements, including the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). The successful candidate will engage with TOCs, traveling to their locations to deliver training sessions and offer hands on support. They will work closely with subject matter experts in the Legal and Compliance teams to ensure TOCs receive the expertise needed to meet public sector legal and regulatory requirements.

The role will also assist the Head of Legal to ensure that all legal and compliance activities associated with TOC transitions are effectively monitored through the use of project planning tools. Reporting to the Head of Legal, the postholder will build strong relationships with TOC stakeholders to drive understanding in compliance and foster continuous improvement throughout the onboarding process.

Key Responsibilities

• Strong organisational and project management skills to manage multiple TOCs' onboarding processes simultaneously.
• Create detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, to ensure the successful delivery of compliance training programmes and legal support.
• Track, document, and report activities to key stakeholders.
• Work closely with legal teams, compliance functions, senior leadership teams within TOCs, and external partners.
• Foster collaborative relationships with TOCs to identify further training needs and secure buy in for compliance initiatives.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to foster alignment and secure organisational support for compliance activities.
• Proactively identify compliance risks during business change or transitions and recommend solutions.
• Collect feedback, identify lessons learned, and improve processes to ensure continuous improvement for TOC onboarding.
• In depth understanding of relevant compliance regulations and standards, or proven ability to upskill quickly regarding legal and/or regulatory requirements.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of training program development and delivery.
• Thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment by proactively taking on diverse tasks beyond core responsibilities, supporting team members and fostering a collaborative and flexible work culture.
• Lead and support new TOCs during the onboarding process to ensure they fully understand and comply with public sector legal and regulatory obligations.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans for each TOC onboarding process to monitor legal and compliance activities.
• Manage relationships with multiple TOCs simultaneously through project management tools and processes.
• Travel to new TOCs to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and provide hands on support and guidance.
• Document and continually improve the onboarding process to ensure smooth transitions and compliance adherence.
• Proactively identify and report compliance risks during onboarding and transition processes, recommending effective mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align on goals, strategies, and compliance requirements.
• Support other legal, compliance, and operational activities critical to the successful onboarding of TOCs.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications

• Experience in a legal, compliance or regulatory role, ideally within the public sector or a regulated industry.
• Project Management expertise.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders across different levels.
• Degree level qualification.
• Relevant qualifications in project management, law, compliance, or governance are preferred.

Vacancy Details

Duration: Fixed Term up to 31st October 2027 (contract/secondment). Location: London Waterloo (travel required). Salary: up to £56,142. Closing date: 15th May 2026.

DFTO Benefits

• Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, 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 total).
• DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.
• Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.