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), Southern, 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.
About the Legal & Compliance Directorate
The Legal and Compliance Directorate play a pivotal role providing legal support, oversight and strategic direction across multiple DFTO TOCs (“TOC Group”) to ensure the efficient, timely and risk‑mitigated provision of quality and commercially focused legal advice.
The Team will play a critical supporting role in safeguarding the reputation of the TOCs within the TOC Group and will provide assistance to ensure that the companies strictly follow all relevant legislation. The Legal Counsels and Senior Legal Counsels will report to the General Counsel for the TOG Group and will assist with the management and supervision of junior members of the TOC Group legal team.
A TOC Group will, ultimately, consist of multiple DFTO TOCs, but in the early stages of the transition programme, a SLC may only have responsibility for one TOC. The composition of each TOC Group may change over time and on more than one occasion as the DFTO Group grows in size and to reflect wider business decisions in relation to the structure of the Group.
About the role
To assist the Regional General Counsel (TOCs) with providing legal support, oversight and strategic direction to multiple DFTO TOCs (“TOC Group”) to ensure the efficient, timely and risk‑mitigated provision of quality and commercially focused legal advice. The role holder will play a critical supporting role in safeguarding the reputation of the TOCs within the TOC Group and will provide assistance to facilitate compliance by the companies with all relevant legislation.
The Senior Legal Counsel will report to the General Counsel for the TOC Group, and will assist with the management and supervision of the Legal Counsel and other developing members of the TOC Group legal team.
Who will we be looking for?
The core competencies for the team will include:
* Demonstrable experience of rail related legal and regulatory requirements (This is a desirable experience NOT a core skill, we welcome CV's from non‑rail)
* Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex legal and commercial documents
* Credible role modeller and ambassador of the DFTO culture/brand
* Consistently delivers on time and accurately
* The ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Dynamic can do attitude with the ability to find creative legal solutions and seek alternative options in challenging environments
* Track record of building strong relationships with the ability to engage, inspire and influence stakeholders
* Sound judgement, strong commercial acumen, resilience, and a balanced attitude to risk
* Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal risks to protect companies from potential legal issues
Vacancy Details
Duration: Permanent
Location: London Waterloo
Salary: up to £85,000
Closing date: 26th April 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
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