Head of Programmes

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 500 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 28% of total UK passenger journeys and 32% of passenger miles.

Our vision is to unify and strengthen train operators under the DFTO banner. By working collaboratively, we aim to become industry leading in safety, customer service, financial and operational performance.

About the role

Lead the delivery and oversight of DFTO's portfolio of programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with departmental and national rail reform objectives.

The role is responsible for ensuring that DFTO's transformation activities, operational improvement initiatives, and preparatory work for Great British Railways (GBR) are delivered to time, cost, and quality standards.

The Head of Programmes provides visible leadership across DFTO and acts as a key interface with DfT, Network Rail, and other industry partners to ensure coordinated delivery and realisation of benefits that enable the transition to GBR.

The roleholder is tasked with building a right size project & programme management capability for DFTO, and initially with delivery of programmes in flight while this capability is created.

A significant leadership post for DFTO, this role is responsible for the preparatory, transition and activation programmes to deliver the transition of DFTO from its current operating state into a component of GBR.

Key Competencies

• Strategic programme and portfolio leadership
• Complex stakeholder and partner management
• Delivery assurance and benefits realisation
• Risk, issue, and dependency management
• Governance and performance oversight
• Leadership and team development
• Communication, negotiation, and influence
• Continuous improvement and innovation

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Leadership: Lead DFTO's portfolio of programmes and projects, ensuring all initiatives are aligned to organisational strategy and the wider transition to GBR.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and maintain a holistic view of DFTO's programme landscape, identifying interdependencies, risks, and opportunities for alignment and efficiency.
• Programme Delivery: Oversee delivery performance across all DFTO programmes, ensuring outputs and outcomes are achieved to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Governance and Assurance: Lead programme governance, ensuring decision making is supported by high quality data, reporting, and analysis.
• Benefits Realisation: Ensure programmes deliver tangible benefits to DFTO and the wider rail reform programme, tracking and reporting progress against business cases and objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with DfT, GBR Transition Team, Network Rail, and Train Operating Companies, ensuring DFTO's programmes contribute effectively to the development of GBR.
• PMO Oversight: Provide strategic direction to the DFTO PMO, ensuring effective reporting, risk management, and delivery assurance frameworks are in place.
• Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop programme managers and delivery teams to foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Resource Management: Plan and manage programme resources, ensuring efficient use of internal capacity and external expertise to deliver against DFTO objectives.
• Risk and Change Control: Oversee identification, assessment, and management of programme risks and issues, ensuring effective mitigation and escalation processes.
• Performance Reporting: Provide high quality management information and insights to the DFTO Executive and Programme Board, enabling informed decision making and intervention where required.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion the application of best practice in programme management, supporting DFTO's capability development and readiness for GBR.

Key Competencies required Essential

• Extensive experience leading large, complex programmes and portfolios in multi stakeholder environments.
• Strong track record of delivering outcomes focused transformation programmes in public sector or infrastructure settings.
• Deep understanding of programme and project management methodologies (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2, Agile).
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, including experience engaging at Executive and Board level.
• Proven ability to manage delivery risk, benefits, and dependencies across multiple programmes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and building organisational capability.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision making skills.

Desirable

• Chartered status with APM or equivalent professional body.
• Experience in the transport or rail industry, particularly within reform, operations, or
• Familiarity with government assurance frameworks, business case development, and public sector governance processes.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is available on either a 24 month Fixed Term Contract or as an Industry secondment. Should anyone be applying for a secondment please ensure you notify your line manager prior to applying for the opportunity.

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.

Equity Statement

At DFTO we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued. We believe that diversity enriches our team and contributes to our success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, and we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or other status. We strive to foster an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We actively promote practices that ensure fairness, eliminate biases, and support the growth and development of all employees. Join us in our mission to create a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve and fosters a culture of equity and inclusion. Together, we can build a brighter future where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.