Date: 27 Jul 2026
Location: Palestra, London Bus Services Ltd
Company: TfL, GLA or OPDC
Key Information
Job title: Contract Compliance Manager
Salary: Up to £70,000 Grade: Band 3 Contract type: TfL Reference: 5222
Team: Bus Performance Management Directorate: Chief Operation Officer
Contract details: Full-time Location: Southwark, London SE1 with hybrid working
Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements
Application closing date: 03 August 2026 @ 2359
All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Overview of project/role
At Transport for London (TfL), our Bus Performance Delivery team helps keep one of the world's largest and busiest bus networks running smoothly. By working closely with bus operators, using real-time performance data and driving continuous improvement across the network, the team plays a vital role in delivering reliable, efficient and accessible services for millions of customers every day. From tackling operational challenges and improving service reliability, to supporting better journey experiences, the team is focused on keeping London moving and ensuring bus services remain a trusted part of the capital's transport network.
As Contract Compliance Manager , you'll play a key role in helping TfL maintain effective oversight of its contracted bus services and wider Surface Transport operations. Using a risk-based audit and compliance approach, you'll ensure that operators have robust management systems, controls and procedures in place to meet contractual obligations, safety requirements and performance standards. You'll oversee the accuracy and completeness of operational data provided by operators, support the effective management of audits, investigations and improvement initiatives, and help ensure compliance with key legislative requirements, including drivers' hours and working time regulations. Working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, you'll also provide guidance on TfL systems and applications, while supporting assurance activities across related Surface Transport services as required, including Victoria Coach Station and London Dial-A-Ride.
Key Accountabilities
Lead the audit programme for TfL's contracted bus network, ensuring a robust and effective audit control function is delivered across the Buses Directorate
Manage and develop a team of auditors , planning and overseeing regular and ad hoc audits to assess compliance with contractual requirements and agreed standards
Oversee audit delivery by ensuring all audits and related assignments are completed in line with established methodologies, quality standards and timescales
Drive corrective action by reviewing audit findings, ensuring reports are issued promptly to stakeholders and operator senior management, and monitoring the timely implementation of agreed actions
Build effective stakeholder relationships with bus operators and internal teams, leading post-audit debriefs, follow-up meetings and discussions to support continuous improvement and compliance
Provide strategic insight by briefing senior leaders on significant audit findings, emerging risks and potential impacts on operational and contractual performance
Monitor performance and trends through the production of monthly, quarterly and annual management reports, identifying key themes, risks and opportunities for improvement
Support business objectives by working collaboratively with peers and the Head of Bus Performance Management to contribute to the effective leadership, development and performance of the wider team
Promote continuous improvement by working with internal and external stakeholders to enhance audit processes, strengthen controls and deliver more targeted and effective assurance activities
Provide expert support to TfL internal and external auditors, government bodies and other stakeholders, offering advice, information and assistance as required
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Skills
Team player with proven excellence in leadership and motivation skills (Essential)
Influencing and Collaborating – able to obtain acceptable audit outcomes with senior staff in Buses, external contractors and internal stakeholders (Essential)
Analysis and Innovation – able to use available knowledge and locate and extract data to define, recommend and implement workable solutions to audit issues that arise (Essential)
Excellent written, IT, oral and presentation skills and the ability to explain and present audit and performance results and analysis senior management internally and externally (Essential)
Ability to manage interaction and relationships between external and internal stakeholders on compliance issues (Essential)
Ability to plan, implement and manage audit plan to deliver a quality audit product in a timely manner (Essential)
Good numeracy and problem-solving skills and the ability to analyse and interpret statistical data (Highly desirable)
Knowledge
A thorough knowledge of TfL’s Bus Operations is required to undertake this role, with particular regard to its contractual relationships with Bus Operators. A working knowledge of other areas of Surface Transport for example Rail Replacement (Highly desirable)
A thorough working knowledge of bus operations and/or internal control disciplines or internal / external auditing processes must be demonstrated (Highly desirable)
A working knowledge of drivers’ hours rules (UK and EU) and the Working Time Directive (Desirable)
To develop a thorough knowledge of the following:
contractual terms of all types of TfL contracts for the provision of bus services including Rail Replacement (Desirable)
UK Domestic and EU Drivers Hours Regulations (plus Masters Hours as applicable) (Desirable)
A working knowledge of other areas of Surface Transport such as Victoria Coach Station and Dial-A-Ride (Desirable)
Experience
Degree level of education and/or equivalent experience in a bus operational or audit environment (Essential)
Proven record of influencing external stakeholder management of the need for effective controls and disciplines is required (Essential)
To clearly demonstrate experience in undertaking complex tasks where the focus on results and delivery are key attributes (Essential)
Experience in managing or leading a team of people including staff development in a performance review and development process (Highly desirable)
Proven record of utilising collaboration skills to influence decision-making of internal stakeholders is required (Highly desirable)
Additional information
Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place from 01 September 2026.
Application Process
Please apply using your CV and a one-page cover letter
Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV and cover letter
PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.
Benefits
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:
Final salary pension scheme
Free travel for you on the TfL network
Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
Discounted Eurostar travel
We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.
Vetting Process
At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter ( https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.
