Senior Finance Transition Manager

DfT Operator; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government rail owning group in the UK seeks a Senior Finance Transition Manager. This pivotal role will lead financial transition activities as new train operators join the group, providing direction and support throughout the process. The manager will oversee a team, ensuring that all financial operations are efficient, compliant, and aligned with the group’s policies. Candidates must have strong communication skills and a proven background in finance leadership. This position offers a hybrid working model and a salary of up to £70,000.

Benefits

Annual leave starting at 25 days

10% employer pension contribution

Opportunities to learn and network

Qualifications

• Proven track record in finance management and leadership.
• Ability to manage teams and projects effectively.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance transition activities for incoming TOCs.
• Manage junior transition managers and teams.
• Oversee financial tasks ensuring efficient transfer.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Pro-active approach

Microsoft suite competence

Knowledge of compliance standards

Driving process efficiencies

Education

Finance-related degree

Job description

Senior Finance Transition Manager

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 24,000 employees, runs over 6,500 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 28% of total UK passenger journeys and 32% 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, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c and Greater Anglia.

Our vision is to unify and strengthen train operators under the DFTO banner. By working collaboratively, we aim to become industry-leading in safety, customer service, financial and operational performance.

Vacancy Details

Duration: 2 Year FTC

Location: Hybrid

Salary: up to £70,000

Closing date: 6th January 2026

Report to: Director of Business Planning

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

Primary Purpose of Job

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 accountable 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 leading the TOC finance and insurance (POTP) workstream and supervising the other Finance Transition managers on the POTP (transfer) finance and insurance 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 senior finance role that will be utilising their knowledge and skillset, working alongside the TOCs, and other DFTO colleagues, to ensure that the finance leadership teams understand changes to their ways of working when joining the DFTO group. They will be accountable 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 groups responsibilities.

The role acts as a deputy to the Director of Business Planning, leading 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 Development Director and Business Planning Director where needed.
• Provide Senior leadership to Mobilisation Programme (Pre and Post Transfer) to be the main point of contact.
• Management of a junior transition manager/partner. Supporting with escalations.
• Manage other ad hoc projects and tasks as required

Finance mobilisation

• Finance & Insurance workstream Lead (POTP)
• Supervision of Finance Transition manager
• Implementing, creation, assurance and training 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 are 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.
• 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 other 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

• Manage a team providing guidance, and knowledge throughout the programme
• Provide robust professional recommendations and financial guidance on accounting processes ensuring they are in line with up‑to‑date regulations, and DFTO Group finance policies and procedures.
• Influence, coach and challenge senior stakeholders to help them understand new centralised ways of working. The role holder will be the DFTO Group Finance Lead
• Proactively challenge processes and finances throughout the programme, including but not limited to net asset statements, new regulations, while providing advice and new initiatives to save costs and be more efficient as an organisation.
• Foster and lead relationships with senior stakeholders in the incoming TOCs
• Influence and challenge ways of working during the post transfer programme while TOCs settle into DFTO Group ways of working
• Assist in preparation for any reporting to DFTO Finance Board on the Programme

How to apply

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.

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