Job Description

Job Ref:

DOH1019

Branch:

DFT Operator

Location:

London

Salary/Benefits:

Up to 55,000

Contract type:

Fixed Term

Hours:

Full Time

Hours per week:

37.5

Posted date:

09/06/2025

Closing date:

23/06/2025

About the function...

The Finance Directorate is committed to safeguarding the finances of the organisation, while provided management with accurate and timely information to help in their overall strategic thinking. The Finance team works closely with all our Train Operators as well as the board sharing financial information working toward a common goal.

Vacancy Details

Duration: FTC

24 Months

Location:

This role is based in London

Salary:

Up to 55k

Closing date:

Some of our great benefits:

Annual Leave 25 days

Opportunities to learn and move across the wider industry

10 % pension contribution



Plus more....

About the Role:

This role will play a pivotal part for incoming TOCs to the DFTO Group. There are two arms to the role, the first is focus on mobilisation and the other post transfer, both working alongside the incoming TOCs.



Finance mobilisation



Tasks for the finance transfer and transition workstream focusing on the setting-up of the financial transactional and operational requirements and support the incoming TOC will need. They will be responsible for ensuring the transfer is efficient, with critical tasks are in place (or mitigated) for Day 1 of transfer. The role will be responsible for managing the TOC finance and insurance (POTP) workstream activities.





Post Transfer



We will be creating a Parachute Team that will be there to support incoming TOCs post transfer date. This role is a finance role that will be utilising their knowledge and skillset, working alongside the TOCs, and other DFTO colleagues, to ensure that the finance teams understand changes to their ways of working when joining the DFTO group. They will be responsible for ensuring the transition is efficient, and the TOCs fully are supported as they learn the processes within DFTO Group while handing over any of their previous owning group's responsibilities.





The role reports to the Senior Finance Transition Partner, supporting the activity on transition.

Key Competencies

Ability to liaise with senior internal and external stakeholders, working toward a common goal

Pro-active approach and motivated to continually improve business processes

Microsoft (suite) competent

Exceptional communication skills (verbal and non-verbal)

Good knowledge of compliance with all internal and external management and regulatory control

Proven track record of driving process efficiencies

Key Responsibilities

Main responsibilities but not exclusive:

Deputise for the Finance Senior Transition Partner where needed.

Support mobilisation requirements, and be accountable of ensuring all documentation is completed, and kept up to date.

Manage other adhoc projects and tasks as required

Finance mobilisation

Finance Insurance workstream lead (POTP)

Implementing, creation and assurance of bank accounts and Bankline (including GBS), suppliers, cash collection, Direct Debits, BAC systems, credit/purchase cards, treasury workshops, purchase orders (new and transfer).

Engagement with the TOC and its 3rd Party Merchant Acquirers such as fuel cards, PayPal and others 3rd parties (TOC related). Ensure the relevant accounts, processes etc are in place.

Review contract matrix list for Finance related services and IT software and provide guidance to the contract POTP/DFTO workstream.

Ensuring the readiness and transfer relating to HMRC area, including Corp Tax, PAYE, VAT).

Cashflow forecasting to ensure the management and timing of cash movement and requirements are understood. To guarantee payments for Day/Week one is in place.

Ensure the relevant paperwork and calculations for funding and working capital are in place.

Prepare and implement the delegate authority pack, ensure it is in place on Day one and aligned with DOHL TOCs governance.

Mapping TOC's finance teams, functions and smaller systems, carrying out a gap analysis and implement plans to mitigate risk. To identify services that require workorders.

Analysis and comply a schedule of Net Assets that will transfer to the transferring TOC. Work with the Finance team to under what should be included.

Engage with incoming TOC and DFTO insurance brokers, ensuring the necessary information is collected, reviewed and in order to allow DFTO insurance brokers to put in place insurance for Day 1.

Engage with incoming TOC and DFTO insurance claim handler, ensuring the necessary information is collected, reviewed for a smooth post Day transition.

Insurance assurance, identify the key contacts in the TOC and confirming all relevant information has been transfer over. Assisting with the introduction of DOHL insurance processes and procedures.

Support the TOC, post day one, during Milestone 2 to ensure a smooth handover, training and assurance is carried out with the Senior Finance Transition Partner.

Ensure all trackers, progress and risk reports are kept up to date.

Prepare agenda for POTP, TOC, DFTO meeting relating to the above.

Post Transfer

Be the TOCs main point of contact, to answer any questions, support with any escalations and ensure they are supported across the TOCs.

Manage internal stakeholders and escalate issues to the Finance Senior Transition Partner in a timely way.

Provide financial guidance on accounting processes ensuring they are in line with up-to-date regulations, and DFTO Group finance policies and procedures.

Help the TOC understand new centralised ways of working. The role holder will be the DFTO Group Finance Lead liaising with both the incoming TOC, and DFTO's Finance BAU team to ensure a smooth transition, and all parties are kept in constant communication.

Ongoing relationships with senior stakeholders in the incoming TOCs setting up their processes for the DFTO reporting requirements using the DFTO Accounting Manual.

Assist in preparation for any reporting to DFTO Finance Board on the Programme.

Key liaison for introductions, and knowledge share with dedicated external providers, and TOC.

Understand finance systems and lead the set-up of new processes as required for ease of reporting, while supporting TOC on process development where required.

Assist and execute a training programme in line with DFTO Group's Welcome Pack.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Technical Qualifications

Essential


Qualified ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills all levels. This should include all levels of staff, including management, and senior stakeholders, both with TOCs, and internally

Experience in managing ambiguity in a financial environment with strong evaluation and decision-making skills.

Excellent technical Financial and Accounting knowledge and application of that knowledge in a complex and commercial environment.

Ideally Project Management experience




Desirable


Substantial experience within multiple finance disciplines

Knowledge and technical expertise of Government accounting and relevant financial governance

Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

How to apply

Additional Information...

Contact:

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please Resourcing dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk



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.