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 Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Whole System Strategy team is responsible for producing an overarching strategy for the specification and supply of trains on the network and the infrastructure needed to support them. The strategy will focus on passenger needs while improving rail industry efficiency and environmental performance and improving visibility and certainty to industry supply chains. The new team brings together consideration of the financial, economic, commercial and operational aspects of the rolling stock and infrastructure in the long-term. It includes policy teams on train service, rolling stock, depots and infrastructure, and will work closely with stakeholders in Network Rail, DfT- Operator and others elsewhere in DfT and wider government. Key Deliverables: The Network Interfaces Policy Manager will support the Systems Infrastructure Interfaces Policy Manager in identifying and analysing the interfaces between rolling stock and infrastructure requirements, including electrification, power supply and control systems, and developing options to improve alignment with rolling stock decisions. The role-holder will work closely with Network Rail, as the owner and planner of UK rail infrastructure, and with policy and Region teams within RSG who sponsor individual projects and programmes. As with many rail projects, knowledge of both strategic and detailed factors that affect feasibility and cost are critical to the whole system strategy development. Key to this role will be understanding interdependencies and opportunities in a highly complex technical environment and with projects and programmes that can take many years to plan and implement. The role-holder will work closely with other parts of the RSISS team, including economists and finance experts. Key Responsibilities: The role-holder’s main areas of responsibility are: Lead on the development and maintenance of a baseline view of committed, planned and proposed infrastructure that affects rolling stock operation and provision across the network over the next 25 years, through working with NR and others. This includes electrification, power supply and charging points, as well as more general improvements to infrastructure (e.g. station platform changes) to deliver benefits for passengers. Undertake analysis on the interdependencies, opportunities and risks between infrastructure and rolling stock programmes to support a joined-up whole system strategy. Support the System Infrastructure Interfaces Policy Manager to understand the deliverability of the Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Whole System Strategy. · Working with analysis and finance experts, appraise different approaches towards infrastructure investments (for example different technologies) from a whole system perspective, and feed the information into Whole System Strategy business case development. Support the System Infrastructure Interfaces Policy Manager with policy input in associated workstreams around supply chain management, cost / value maximisation and alternative funding approaches.The Network Interfaces Policy Manager will support the Systems Infrastructure Interfaces Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications: Behaviours You will need to be able to demonstrate the following behaviours: Seeing the Bigger Picture: Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders. Making Effective Decisions: Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks. Leadership: Ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and timeframes. Take into account different individual needs, views, and ideas, championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. Recognise and praise the achievements of others to drive positivity within the team. Communicating and Influencing: Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner - choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests. Experience · This role will be developing policy in a highly technical environment but with multiple policy interfaces. Detailed existing technical knowledge will not be required however an ability to learn quickly in this policy area and challenge views or evidence will be needed. The role holder will also be expected to handle and analyse operational, financial and economic data confidently and identify strategy and plan interdependencies. Please ensure that in your application you submit evidence of the following: Developing policy in a technical area which you are not expert in. Experience of analysing operational, financial and economic data. Vacancy Details: Duration: Permanent or Secondment Location: London Waterloo Salary: up to £47,052 Closing date: 10th May 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 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 Amra.Hurley @dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CV's to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.