Internal Auditor

Job Ref: DOH1235

Branch: DFT Operator

Location: London

Salary/Benefits: Salary up to £51,550

Contract type: Fixed Term

Hours: Full Time

Hours per week: 37.5

Posted date: 01/07/2026

Closing date: 31/07/2026

Internal Auditor x 3 required- (Working under Finance)

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DfT Operator Ltd (Department for Transport Operator - DFTO) is the public sector owning group behind eight key train operators: LNER, Northern, Southeastern, TransPennine Express, South Western Railway, c2c, Greater Anglia and WM Trains.

We’re here to make your rail journeys smoother, safer, and more reliable. Since taking on LNER in 2018, we've focused on delivering better train services, enhancing customer experiences, and boosting performance across the network.

Stats about DFTO:

8,500 services each weekday

640 million customer journeys across the networks every year

30,000 employees

7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year

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:

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

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker and self-starter with an understanding of internal audit methodologies and a passion for continuous improvement.

Key Competencies:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively 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 practise.

Contribute to the development and implementation of the TOC Assurance Framework and implementation of core audit processes and procedures.

Utilise a variety of audit techniques, such as risk assessments, control testing, and data analysis in order 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 the 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 other equivalent

Internal Audit professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, IIA) is 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/secondment

Location: London/London/Hybrid – willingness to travel across the UK

Salary: up to £51,550

Closing date: 16th February 2026 Reports to: Regional Head of Internal Audit

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 Name.dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk

Please do not email any CV's to us, your application must be made by clicking the 'Apply' button.