Internal Auditor

About DFT Operator

DFTO (Department for Transport Operator – DFTO) is the public sector owning group behind eight key train operators: LNER, Northern, South Eastern, TransPennine Express, South Western Railway, c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains. We are here to make your rail journeys smoother, safer and more reliable, and since taking on LNER in 2018 we have focused on delivering better train services, enhancing customer experiences and boosting performance across the network.

Internal Auditor (x3) – Working under Finance

Join our team at DFTO. This role is ideal for a strategic thinker and a self‑starter with an understanding of internal audit methodologies and a passion for continuous improvement.

Stats About DFTO

• 8,500 services each weekday
• 640 million customer journeys across the networks each year
• 30,000 employees
• 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year

Primary Purpose of the Job

Conduct thorough and effective audits across operations of assigned Train Operating Companies (TOC(s)), testing the effectiveness of internal controls and recommending improvements to support compliance, risk mitigation, value add and operational efficiency. Contribute to the development of an assurance framework for assigned TOC(s) and implement core audit processes and procedures.

Key Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate internal audit findings and recommendations to senior leadership
• Proven ability to manage tasks and deadlines while maintaining high quality and attention to detail
• Collaborative team player with a positive and adaptable attitude
• Strong commitment to professional ethics, integrity and confidentiality, adhering to the highest standards of professional practice

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct detailed audits of various departments and processes, including operational and compliance areas to a high quality standard in line with best practice.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the TOC Assurance Framework and core audit processes.
• Utilise a variety of audit techniques – risk assessments, control testing and data analysis – to conduct thorough and complete audits. Gather and analyse relevant documentation to assist the process.
• Prepare clear and concise audit reports that communicate findings, conclusions and recommendations effectively, driving timely management responses and agreed action plans.
• Build strong working relationships with operational teams and management to promote the value of internal audit and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Contribute to business assurance and audit activities relating to major business projects, in accordance with agreed plans.
• Identify and document control weaknesses and inefficiencies that enable targeted improvements and stronger internal controls.
• Monitor the implementation of corrective actions and improvements recommended in audit reports, driving timely completion and measurable reduction of risk exposure.
• Contribute to external audit requests, enabling accurate and timely provision of information.
• Participate in cross‑TOC audits, supporting alignment with best practice and sharing insights to improve group‑wide processes.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications

• Degree educated ideally with Finance, Accounting or an equivalent discipline
• Internal Audit professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, IIA) preferred
• Proven technical knowledge of internal audit, including IIA standards
• Experience planning and executing internal audits
• Strong ability to identify, assess and evaluate risks and controls in a commercial and operational environment

Vacancy Details

Duration: 2‑year fixed‑term contract/secondmentLocation: London, London/Hybrid – willingness to travel across the UKSalary: up to £51,550Closing date: 16th February 2026Reports to: Regional Head of Internal Audit

DFTO Benefits

• Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 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 Name.dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk. Please do not email any CVs to us; your application must be made by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.

#J-18808-Ljbffr…