Overview
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 Learning and Development Manager is a key leadership role within the DfT Operator, sitting within the Learning, Leadership & Capability directorate. The post-holder will support delivery of the learning and development strategy across the organisation and, where required, across the wider group, ensuring capability is built in line with business priorities and the rail integration agenda.
A distinctive element of this role is ownership of the apprenticeship offer (including sourcing and provision of apprenticeships to the group where required), alongside coordination of leadership development, continuing professional development (CPD), and the maintenance and updating of online learning resources. The post-holder will work closely with HR Business Partners and leaders to identify learning needs, commission and deliver development interventions, manage supplier relationships, and support the integration of an industry Learning Management System (LMS) where applicable. The post-holder will report directly to the Director of Learning, Leadership & Capability.
Key Responsibilities:
Learning & Development Strategy Delivery
* Support delivery of the DfT Operator learning and development strategy, translating priorities into deliverable plans, programmes and interventions.
* Work with HR Business Partners and leaders to identify learning needs, agree priorities and shape solutions across operational, technical and corporate functions.
* Maintain a clear view of current and future capability requirements and ensure learning pathways, CPD activity and resources remain relevant, accessible and up to date.
* Evaluate learning effectiveness (participation, feedback and outcomes) and use insight to continuously improve provision and demonstrate value.
Apprenticeships (Sourcing, Provision and Governance)
* Coordinate the sourcing and provision of apprenticeships for the DfT Operator and, where required, across the wider group, ensuring a consistent learner experience and value for money.
* Maximise the use of the Apprenticeship Levy and related funding, ensuring investment aligns to organisational priorities and agreed apprenticeship standards.
* Manage supplier relationships (training providers, universities and colleges), holding partners to account for quality, completion, learner support and outcomes
* Ensure appropriate governance and compliance with relevant apprenticeship rules and assurance requirements, maintaining accurate data and reporting. Maintain an apprenticeship portfolio that reflects business need (including operational, technical, professional and leadership pathways) and supports progression
* Work with line managers and HR Business Partners to embed a strong apprenticeship culture, equipping managers to support apprentices effectively.
Leadership Development and CPD
* Coordinate leadership development activity, working with senior leaders and HR Business Partners to define target audiences, outcomes and programmes.
* Develop and coordinate a CPD offer that supports professional standards, role requirements and career pathways.
* Commission, curate and/or deliver development interventions (including blended and digital learning) to meet identified needs, ensuring accessibility and quality.
* Maintain clear learning pathways and signposting for colleagues, promoting a culture of continuous learning and development.
* Monitor participation and outcomes for leadership and CPD activity, using feedback and data to drive continuous improvement.
* Ensure programmes reflect organisational values and inclusion commitments, and are designed to meet diverse learner needs.
Digital Learning Resources and LMS Integration
* Maintain and update online learning resources, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, well signposted and aligned to learning pathways.
* Establish appropriate governance for digital learning content (ownership, review cycles, version control and quality standards).
* Support the implementation and/or integration of an industry LMS, working with stakeholders and suppliers to enable access, reporting and user support.
* Stakeholder and Supplier Management
* Build strong working relationships with HR Business Partners, leaders and subject matter experts to ensure learning provision is joined up and responsive.
* Manage supplier performance and contracts for learning provision, ensuring agreed service levels, quality measures and continuous improvement.
* Work with relevant teams to promote the learning offer, share success stories and support engagement in development activity.
* Programme Governance & Reporting
* Manage learning and development budgets as agreed (including Apprenticeship Levy and externally funded provision), ensuring effective allocation and value for money.
* Deliver regular management information on learning activity, outcomes, supplier performance and apprenticeship funding/utilisation to the Director and HR leadership.
* Maintain robust governance across L&D provision, including due diligence on suppliers, contract management, data quality, risk and issue management.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:
Essential Skills & Experience:
Apprenticeship & Skills Expertise
* Substantial experience in apprenticeship programme management, including Levy management, provider relationships and compliance with ESFA requirements.
* Thorough working knowledge of the Apprenticeship Standards system, End Point Assessment process and the regulatory landscape for apprenticeships in England.
* Experience developing or commissioning learning and skills programmes in a large, complex organisation.
* Understanding of T-Levels, industry placements and the broader 16–19 technical education landscape.
Early Engagement & Outreach
* Proven track record of designing and delivering early engagement or educational outreach programmes targeting young people.
* Experience building partnerships with schools, colleges, universities and community organisations to develop talent pipelines.
* Ability to create engaging careers content and represent the organisation as an inspiring employer at educational settings and public events.
* Commitment to widening participation and reaching young people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Stakeholder & Partner Management
* Strong relationship management skills with experience working across multiple organisations, including training providers, funding bodies and industry partners.
* Experience engaging with trade unions and works councils on workforce development matters.
* Ability to influence senior leaders and build cross-organisational coalitions around skills investment.
Operational & Commercial
* Budget management experience, including management of Apprenticeship Levy accounts and external funding.
* Strong data literacy with the ability to monitor programme performance, identify risks and report on outcomes.
* Experience operating in a regulated, safety-critical or technically complex industry is advantageous.
Desirable Skills & Qualifications
* CIPD, ILM or equivalent qualification relevant to L&D, skills development or HR.
* Experience working within or alongside the rail industry, transport sector or a similarly safety-critical environment.
* Familiarity with NSAR (National Skills Academy for Rail) frameworks and rail-specific competency standards.
* Knowledge of the Civil Service skills agenda, including the Government Campus and public sector apprenticeship targets.
* Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM) or equivalent experience managing complex multi-workstream programmes.
* Understanding of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework as it applies to apprenticeship provision.
Behaviours & Values
Working Together – Building effective networks internally and across the rail industry.
Communicating and Influencing – Inspiring action at all levels through authentic leadership.
Developing Self and Others – Championing learning and growth as a foundation for inclusive culture
Changing and Improving – Driving meaningful, evidence-based change in how the organisation.
Vacancy Details
Duration: FTC up to 31st October 2027
Location: London Waterloo/Hybrid
Salary: up to £64,000
Closing date: 28th May 2026
Reports to: Group Head of Learning, Leadership and Development
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 Jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk
Please do not email any CVs to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
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