Job Ref: DOH1230
Branch: DFT Operator
Location: Birmingham
Salary/Benefits: Up to £73,000
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Posted date: 11/06/2026
Closing date: 30/06/2026
DFT Operator (DFTO) is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Our purpose is to bring train operators into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027, while delivering improvements now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.
This is a rare opportunity to join us at a defining moment for the railway. Based in Birmingham, at the heart of one of the UK’s most important transport and commercial centres, you will support businesses that serve communities across the network every day while contributing to a major public sector programme shaping the future of Britain’s railway.
DFTO has more than 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services each day and delivers more than 640 million customer journeys every year. With more operators joining public ownership, this is an exciting time to be part of a growing organisation with a clear public service mission.
Our train operating companies already under public ownership include LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, South Western Railway, c2c, Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains and GTR. Our priority is simple: to provide efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Our Legal Compliance Directorate provides legal support, oversight and strategic direction across multiple DFTO train operating companies through both day-to-day operations and a period of significant change. We partner closely with our business partners and industry stakeholders to help manage risk and support sound commercial decision-making in a complex, highly regulated public sector environment.
We are a collaborative, well-respected and supportive team, known for providing accessible, pragmatic and commercially focused advice. Our lawyers work across a varied mix of operational matters and strategic projects, with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully in a frontline public service environment.
As Legal Counsel, you will work closely with the Senior Legal Counsels and the Regional General Counsel to provide legal advice and support across multiple DFTO train operating companies. The businesses you support may evolve over time as the legal team and wider organisation continue to develop.
This is an excellent opportunity for a lawyer looking to develop a broad in-house practice. You will gain exposure to commercial contracts, procurement, disputes, regulatory issues, corporate compliance and public sector duties.
You will work closely with colleagues across legal, compliance and the wider business, building strong stakeholder relationships and developing into a trusted adviser with the support of an experienced and collaborative legal team.
We are looking for a capable and motivated lawyer who is keen to develop in-house and attracted by the opportunity to work in a complex, operational and publicly significant environment.
You will ideally bring:
- qualification as a solicitor or equivalent, with around 2–6 years’ post-qualification experience (although we are open to considering strong candidates outside this range)
- excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with experience of commercial contracts
- an interest in working across a broad range of legal and compliance matters in a regulated environment
- strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex legal and commercial issues and explain them clearly to a range of stakeholders
- excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
- a collaborative, professional and pragmatic approach, with the confidence to build trusted relationships across the business
- strong communication, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills
- an interest in public sector and rail-related issues; prior rail experience and/or in-house experience would be welcome, but is not essential
This is an opportunity to build an interesting in-house practice while contributing to work with real public impact. You will gain exposure to senior stakeholders and be part of a supportive legal team in a business of genuine scale and significance.
You will also benefit from:
- Annual leave: 25 days on joining, rising by one additional day per completed year of service in the first five years, up to 30 days
- Pension: Defined contribution pension scheme with a 10% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
- opportunities to learn, develop and build your network across the wider rail industry
Duration: Permanent
Location: Hybrid, primarily based in our Birmingham office
Salary: £60,000–£73,000, depending on experience
Contact: If you have any questions about the role or require any reasonable adjustments, please contact Jason Blakemore.
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.
