Head of Transport Policing & Community Safety

Reporting into – Director of Security Policing & Enforcement

Contract – Up to 12 Month FTC (Permanency possible)

Vacancy type – Full time

Band - 5

Location – Palestra with up to 50% hybrid working

About Us

TfL keeps London moving, working closely with policing and enforcement partners to ensure every journey is safe, secure and reliable. We’re committed to reducing transport crime, anti social behaviour, road danger and fare evasion, safeguarding vulnerable customers and building a transport network that is inclusive, trusted and resilient.

As part of our Security, Policing & Enforcement (SPE) Directorate, you’ll join a team dedicated to strengthening security culture across TfL, protecting and supporting our customers, colleagues and the vital transport services London depend on.

About the Role

As the Head of Transport Policing and Community Safety, you will operate as one of TfL’s most senior and influential leaders, shaping the strategic direction of transport and roads policing across London and driving the performance of TfL’s partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police, British Transport Police Authority, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime  and other policing and security agencies. You will exercise significant authority in determining how transport and roads policing and community safety are delivered across the capital’s transport network to improve the safety and security of transport and travelling and delivering on the Mayor’s and TfL’s safety and security priorities.

In this role, you will provide leadership for TfL’s transport policing, community safety and Vision Zero policing and enforcement strategies improving safety and security and confidence to travel across all modes. You will be responsible for integrating and aligning policing and enforcement activity at a networkwide level, creating a unified and highly effective operational model that maximises public value and supports a safe, secure and reliable transport network.

A key element of your remit will be setting the direction, overseeing and performance managing policing services that support TfL’s operational needs, ensuring they deliver measurable impact and value for TfL and London. You will lead some of TfL’s most high profile and politically significant programmes, including major initiatives targeting fare evasion, traffic policing and broader enforcement activity, where your decisions will directly influence public trust and operational performance.

You will also act as a central strategic partner, cultivating and sustaining influential relationships across policing, transport industry, local authorities, national agencies, and senior TfL stakeholders. Through these relationships, you will shape priorities, strengthen cross agency cooperation, and drive improved outcomes on issues of critical importance to London.

As part of your role, you will provide authoritative briefing and insight to the Mayor, London Assembly Members, TfL’s Commissioner, and the Executive Committee, often in sensitive or complex contexts. Your judgement, political acuity and command of strategic risk will position you as a trusted voice at the heart of policy formulation and decision-making.

You will lead specialist functions encompassing intelligence, analysis, investigations, enforcement standards, policing and community safety policy development and policing partnerships and liaison. Through your leadership, you will set the tone for professional excellence, build high performing and inclusive teams, and embed a culture that places safety and security, integrity, and public confidence at the forefront of everything TfL delivers.

This role carries significant financial and leadership accountability, including direct leadership of over 60 staff and oversight of more than 2,000 uniformed personnel patrolling London’s transport network.

Security clearance at SC level and NPPV Level 2 will be required.

About You

For this role it is essential that you are an experienced senior leader with a deep understanding of policing, community safety, and transport environments.

You should have expert level knowledge of policing practice, criminal justice systems and the legislative frameworks that underpin them, including the Crime and Disorder Act 1988 and the Police Act 1996, and subsequent amendments. This in depth legal and procedural understanding enables you to provide authoritative advice and ensure that policing and enforcement activity is both effective and compliant.

Your background should include significant senior level experience within policing, community safety, the wider public sector, or similarly complex environments. You should be accustomed to operating in high profile settings where strategic decision making, cross organisational collaboration and public accountability are critical to success.

You must have a track record of managing complex and high value contracts or partnerships  delivering public services that have a direct and visible impact on communities. Your ability to oversee performance, manage risk and ensure value for money positions you as a trusted leader of major programmes and partnerships.

It is fundamental to the role that you have an exceptional ability to build relationships and influence at the highest levels. You will need to navigate political landscapes and stakeholder networks with confidence, securing buy in, shaping strategy and securing productive collaboration across multiple agencies and sectors.

The successful applicant will role model TfL’s values of being open, caring, and adaptable, and demonstrate a strong, proactive commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as to safety and security in every aspect of their work.

Application Process

Please submit an up to date copy of your CV (no more than 2 A4 pages, Arial size 12) along with a cover letter (no more than 1 A4 page, Arial size 12).
We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge, and experience required for this role and ensure your application outlines where you meet these criteria.

• Closing date for applications will be Wednesday 1st of April at 23:59hrs. Please note that if we receive many applications, we will close the advert early. We anticipate for 1st stage interviews to be held on W/C 27th April.
• We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.
• For more information or for a copy of the job description, please email talentacquisitionandexecutiverecruitment@tfl.gov.uk

We will be holding a Spotlight session, where you can learn more about the role and have the opportunity to ask the hiring manager questions. This will be held on Wednesday 25th March at 2pm on Teams. To be added onto the event please email your interest over to the above address.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

Our city. Made better by you. 

TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.  

Hybrid Working

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

Benefits 

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow.  Rewards vary according to the level of role and business area but mostly include:

• Final salary pension scheme.
• Free travel for you on the TfL network.
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket.
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays.
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow. 50% time in the office.
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional).
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme.
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers.
• Discounted Eurostar travel.
• TfL employees can access electric vehicles through salary sacrifice, making them more affordable. Whether brand-new or preloved, the scheme helps you save on tax and NI while making a greener choice.

Terms and conditions:

NPL Applications 

Applications to internally advertised roles can only be accepted from temporary workers who are on PAYE terms via agency, or PAYE via Umbrella Companies. Temporary workers who are paid through their own limited companies are not covered by the Agency Worker Regulations and are ineligible to apply.