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 deliver improvements in the here and 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 every 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 - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), southeastern, 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
The Strategic Communications Manager will play a critical role in developing and delivering the DFTO Communication strategy. You will work with colleagues from across DFTO, its operators and Network Rail to develop and deliver successful communications to internal and external audiences. You will have experience managing communications projects, developing creative content in multiple formats and identifying innovative ways to engage audiences and deliver messaging. You will also lead the communication team’s planning and coordination function, ensuring the opportunities are identified for multi-channel communications and plans are aligned across the DFTO and its operators.
Key Responsibilities
* Support with planning and development of change communications products that tell the story of DFTO’s development and the establishment of Great British Railways.
* Support the Senior Strategic Communications Manager with developing plans, content and briefings and managing meetings and engagements for the transfer of train operators into public ownership, including liaising with Department for Transport and DFTO operators.
* Work closely with the internal communications team to develop and support the cascade of internal content on Great British Railway and support alignment across operators, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
* Lead the communication team’s planning and coordination function working closely with DFTO communication and operator colleagues to drive alignment and identify opportunities for impactful multi-channel communications.
* Support functions across the communications team in mapping and coordinating strategies and provide project management to support their delivery.
* Support the DFTO Press office, including on call duty rota, as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
Essential Criteria
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to condense complex issues into concise tailored messaging for specific audiences and an understanding and experience of delivering across a range of channels.
* Able to build trust and navigate multiple stakeholder relationships and form effective working relationships. Ability to work collaboratively with team members.
* Proactive self-starter with strong attention to detail and the ability to project manage tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable Criteria
1. Experience managing in-person events and/or engagements
2. Experience working in change or transformation communications
3. Rail industry experience
Vacancy Details
Duration: Fixed Term up to 31st October 2027 contract/secondment
Location: London Waterloo
Salary: up to £45,352
Closing date: 8th May 2026
Reports to: Senior Strategic Comms Manager
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 - 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
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk
Please do not email any CV's to us. Your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
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