DfT Operator
Workforce Analytics & Insights Manager- (Business Analyst)
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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 30,000 employees, runs over 8,500 services a day and delivers over 640 million customer journeys across its networks every year. 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year.
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, Greater Anglia, WM Trains and GTR.
We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient, dependable rail services for everyone.
Primary Purpose Of Job
Own the translation of workforce data and planning outputs into clear, decision-ready insight for DFTO and TOC leadership.
Ensure leaders have a consistent, trusted understanding of workforce performance, risk, cost and future position—and use that insight to drive decisions.
This role will work collaboratively across all DFTO TOCs and multiple stakeholders at all levels.
Key Deliverables
- Clear, decision-ready workforce insight used by senior leaders across DFTO and TOCs
- A consistent narrative on workforce performance, risk and cost across the system
- Insight packs linking workforce data to operational and financial outcomes
- Early identification of workforce risks, pressures and constraints
- Trusted interpretation of SWP outputs for business decision-making
Key Responsibilities
Insight & Decision Support
- Accountable for ensuring workforce data and analysis are understood, challenged and used by senior leaders
- Translate workforce data and SWP outputs into clear, actionable insight
- Provide direct support to senior stakeholders on workforce-related decisions
- Ensure insight answers “so what” and “what should we do”
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Narrative & Storytelling
- Build clear, consistent narratives on workforce performance and risk
- Present complex analysis in simple terms for executive audiences
- Ensure a single version of the truth in how data is interpreted
Performance & Risk Insight
- Analyse workforce performance, cost drivers, and operational pressures
- Identify emerging risks (e.g. attrition, capability gaps, constraints)
- Provide forward-looking interpretation, not just historic reporting
Integration with SWP
- Translate SWP scenarios into business implications
- Ensure planning outputs are understood, challenged and used
- Support decision-making across tactical and strategic horizons
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with HR, Operations, Finance and TOCs
Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications:
- Strong ability to translate complex workforce data and analysis into clear, decision-ready insight
- Deep understanding of workforce metrics (e.g. attrition, absence, productivity, headcount, cost drivers)
- Strong analytical thinking with ability to connect data to operational and financial outcomes
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders using evidence
- Ability to simplify ambiguity and provide clear recommendations
- Strong understanding of data visualisation and insight presentation principles
Experience
- Significant experience in analytics, insight, or business analysis roles
- Experience working with workforce, HR, or operational data in a complex organisation
- Proven experience influencing decision-making at senior or executive level
- Experience translating data and models into business implications (not just reporting outputs)
- Experience working across multiple stakeholders (e.g. HR, Operations, Finance, or equivalent functions)
- Ideally from an HR background
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Technical Qualifications / Capability
- Strong data analysis and modelling skills (Excel essential)
- Experience with data visualisation tools (Power BI, Qlik or similar)
- Ability to interpret outputs from forecasting and scenario models (e.g. SWP models)
- Understanding of data structures, data quality considerations, and KPI definitions
- Desirable: experience with SQL, Python, or other analytical tools
Vacancy Details
- Duration: Fixed Term contract/secondment until 31st October 2027
- Location: London Waterloo/Hybrid
- Salary: up to £49,632
- Closing date: 23rd June 2026
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
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.
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.
Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact Dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk
Please do not email any CV's to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.
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