Regional FOI Manager ( Under Legal)

Regional FOI Manager

Please be aware that the role will run for 1 month due to the Xmas holiday

About DFT Operator

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 to 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 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 28% of total UK passenger journeys and 32% 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), Southeast, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c and Greater Anglia.

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.

Vacancy Details

Duration: 2 Year FTC
Reports to: Head of Compliance
Location: Home based/Waterloo, Ability to travel across DFTO's network
Salary: Up to 54,000K
Closing Date: 13th January 2026

DFTO Benefits:

1. 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)
2. DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution
3. Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Primary Purpose of Job:

Managing stakeholder relationships with a group of Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to support and guide them through the Freedom of Information process. Processing and responding to complex and legally challenging information access requests, internal reviews and further appeals in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).

Key Competencies:

1. Expertise in FOIA and EIR.
2. Strong verbal reasoning skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and engage in challenging conversations.
3. Ability to work collaboratively within a fast paced, regulated environment.
4. Strong written communication and problem solving skills.
5. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and explain the same in an accessible format.
6. Ability to manage multiple complex requests and internal reviews to ensure statutory deadlines are met.

Key Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities

1. Providing first line support for a group of TOCs on all matters relating to FOI. Meeting with TOC leadership/communications teams periodically to discuss any complex/high profile requests and/or any wider FOI concerns.
2. Manage a caseload of complex and high profile FOI and EIR requests, following internal processes to meet statutory deadlines. Research, assimilate and interpret complex information in order to write clear, accurate and legally compliant FOI responses.
3. Review, challenge and interpret a wide variety of sensitive, complex or technical information, so that the release of information and the