Job Description

Job Ref:

DOH1069

Branch:

DFT Operator

Location:

London

Salary/Benefits:

This role holds a 6 figure salary

Contract type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Posted date:

04/07/2025

Closing date:

18/07/2025

Chief Information Officer:

About DFT Operator:

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 23,000 employees, runs over 6,000 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 26% of total UK passenger journeys and 30% 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), Southeastern and South Western Railway (SWR).

Job Title = Chief Information Officer

Directorate = Finance

Location = Waterloo

Salary = This role holds a six figure salary

Close date = 18th July 2025

About the Position:

To lead DFTO's IT, data, and cybersecurity across DFTO as an entity, and have a strategic view of these across all TOCs. The CIO is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and optimisation of the Group's IT infrastructure which is currently quite fragmented, establishing a robust data function, and enhancing the company's cybersecurity resilience.



The CIO ensures that the company's expanding network is supported by forward looking technologies, data-driven insights, and secure systems. The CIO is also responsible for fostering cross-functional collaboration to support DFTO's growth and industry development, ensuring future compatibility with GBR.

Key Competencies:

Interpersonal Skills:

Demonstrates a strong ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, including executives, teams across the TOCs, and external partners. Effectively engages others to promote collaboration and achieve strategic objectives.

Planning and Execution:

Excels at creating and implementing detailed, effective plans for IT, cybersecurity, and data strategy development that align with DFTO's growth objectives. Capable of designing scalable and robust solutions to meet current and future demands.

Analytical Skills:

Proficient in analysing data and system performance, utilising insights to inform decision-making, optimize IT infrastructure, and guide long-term strategies. Adept at assessing risk and addressing complex challenges within DFTO.

Verbal and Written Communication

:


Possesses exceptional communication skills, able to articulate complex technical ideas clearly and persuasively in both written and oral formats. Communicates effectively with leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners and is able to set the IT agenda through a compelling vision.

Collaboration:

Fosters a collaborative environment across DFTO's portfolio, promoting teamwork within IT, cybersecurity, and data teams, as well as cross-industry groups. Encourages knowledge sharing and alignment across different operational areas.

Conflict Resolution:

Skilled in managing and resolving conflicts effectively, ensuring productive outcomes for all parties involved. Able to navigate differences between IT, business units, and external partners to maintain alignment and focus on shared goals.

Proactive Problem Solving:

Anticipates potential issues and challenges within the IT and cybersecurity landscape and develops mitigation strategies. Demonstrates an ability to think ahead, preventing disruptions and minimising risks.

Transparency:

Committed to open and honest communication, maintaining high ethical standards and promoting trust through consistent and reliable actions. Ensures transparency in decision-making and operations, particularly in cybersecurity and data handling.

Professional Networking:

Capable of building and leveraging a robust network of industry contacts, fostering partnerships that can benefit DFTO's IT, data, and cybersecurity objectives. Engages with industry groups and leaders to stay ahead of technological trends.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop IT Roadmap and support integration

Lead the creation of a comprehensive systems landscape roadmap for all TOCs, aligned with DFTO's growth profile, and GBR development. A key principle of this work should be simplification. Conduct a full review of the current TOCs' IT systems, researching existing infrastructures, and identifying areas for optimisation and improvement in an evolving industry corporate context. Support DfT's Public Ownership Transition Programme (POTP) team to identify and resolve risks in TOC transfer, and to ensure alignment and scalability as DFTO expands.

Cybersecurity Assurance

Review DFTO entity and TOC cybersecurity strategies, and recommend improvement, to ensure the safety and integrity of data and operations across all TOCs. Review and monitor DFTO entity and TOC cybersecurity protocols for robustness and compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards in DFTO entity Work proactively to identify vulnerabilities and support Group incident response strategies.

Develop IT Capacity within DFTO entity

Build and enhance the IT capacity of DFTO at a corporate level, ensuring it can support and scale with the company's growth. Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the IT department, identifying and deploying best practices, tools, and technologies. Create a delivery and governance framework to manage IT projects and ensure delivery of high-quality solutions on time and within budget. Establish a centralised data strategy for DFTO, ensuring that data collection, management, and analysis are aligned with the company's goals. Build the infrastructure and capabilities needed to transform data into actionable insights that enhance operational performance across all TOCs. Lead the development of data governance and data security practices, ensuring data integrity and compliance across all systems. This will include legislative compliance such as GDPR. Foster a data-driven culture within DFTO by promoting the use of analytics and insights in decision-making processes.

Leadership and Team Development

In time, lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing IT, data, and cybersecurity team to meet the demands of DFTO's expanding operations. Promote collaboration between DFTO's IT and data teams and other departments, ensuring smooth and cohesive operation across functions. Act as a strategic partner to the executive leadership team, providing insights on technological and data-driven innovations that could benefit DFTO's business.

DFTO

Group digital capability development

Support collaboration across TOCs and more widely to drive the development of digital solutions. Attend DFTO Digital Board and support deliverables as required.

Stakeholder Management

Partner with key stakeholders across the industry and DFTO TOCs to identify technology and data needs and align solutions with business objectives and industry corporate change. Liaise with DfT, DFTO Board members and other stakeholder to ensure their requirements are identified, considered, and resolved As required manage relationships with external IT and data vendors and service providers, ensuring that DFTO receives the best value and services.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Technical Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field. Proven experience as a Chief Information Officer, or similar leadership role in a multi-entity organisation. Strong knowledge of enterprise IT systems, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital transformation initiatives, and data management. Experience leading IT and data projects across multiple subsidiaries, locations, or operating companies, preferably in the transportation or infrastructure sectors. Demonstrated success in leading digital transformation, data infrastructure development, and IT infrastructure improvements. Solid understanding of data governance, analytics, and cybersecurity frameworks, with hands-on experience managing related programs. Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Experience

:


Experience working within the transportation, logistics, or rail industries. Familiarity with TOC operations and regulatory requirements related to transportation and rail services.

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

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is available on either a Permanent basis or an Industry secondment. Should anyone be applying for a secondment please ensure you notify your line manager prior to applying for the opportunity.

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.

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.

Equity Statement

At DFTO we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued. We believe that diversity enriches our team and contributes to our success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, and we are dedicated to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or other status. We strive to foster an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We actively promote practices that ensure fairness, eliminate biases, and support the growth and development of all employees. Join us in our mission to create a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve and fosters a culture of equity and inclusion. Together, we can build a brighter future where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.