Compliance Manager

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DfT Operator Ltd (Department for Transport Operator - DFTO) is the public sector owning group behind eight key train operators: LNER Northern Southeastern TransPennine Express South Western Railway c2c Greater Anglia and WM Trains.

Were here to make your rail journeys smoother safer and more reliable. Since taking on LNER in 2018 weve focused on delivering better train services enhancing customer experiences and boosting performance across the network.

Stats about DFTO:

• 8500 services each weekday
• 640 million customer journeys across the networks every year
• 30000employees
• 7000people 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:

The Compliance Manager plays a key role in supporting DFTOs compliance framework across the organisation and its subsidiary Train Operating Companies (TOCs).Working under the direction of the Senior Compliance Manager the post-holder delivers compliance monitoring supports policy development provides operational compliance advice and ensures DFTO meets its legal regulatory and contractual obligations.

The role promotes a robust compliance culture by working closely with stakeholders identifying risks escalating concerns and supporting assurance activity across the Group.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Frameworks & Governance

• Support the development maintenance and review of compliance policies guidance and Group standards.
• Ensure policies are accessible understood and implemented consistently across DFTO and TOCs. Assist with governance reporting including preparing materials for the Compliance Steering Committee and other forums.
• Monitoring Assurance & Reporting
• Deliver risk-based monitoring and assurance reviews across DFTO and the TOCs.
• Identify non-compliance trends root causes and required actions.
• Track follow up and support closure of remediation and audit actions.
• Prepare clear written assurance reports and findings for the Senior Compliance Manager.
• Compliance Advisory Support
• Provide operational advice on compliance topics including GDPR Bribery Act Modern Slavery Act Equality Act public sector obligations and rail industry requirements.
• Support investigations into compliance breaches and incidents where required.
• Monitor changes to regulation and help assess implications for DFTO and TOCs.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
• Work collaboratively with Legal Risk Audit HR Operations and other key teams.
• Build positive working relationships with TOC compliance leads to embed consistent compliance practices.
• Assist in the delivery of compliance training communications and awareness activities.

Knowledge Skills Experience & Technical Qualifications:

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• Professional compliance audit legal or risk qualification desirable (e.g. ICA CCEP IIA ACCA)
• Experience in compliance regulatory audit or governance roles within complex organisations
• Experience in the transport sector regulated industries or public sector beneficial
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks risk policy development and assurance activity

Vacancy Details:

Duration:2 year Fixed Term contract/secondment
Location:London Waterloo
Salary:up to 60000
Closing date: 18th 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 - Were an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly as we know traditional working patterns dont always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly just let us know and well 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

Please do not email any CVs to us your application must be made by clicking the Apply button.