Internal Auditor

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, Southern, Trans Pennine 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.

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 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

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

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.