31435 - Data Protection Manager - 12 month assignment
| Posting date: | 15 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £52,929 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | Fixed Term Up to 12 months |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 July 2025 |
| Location: | UK |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 31435 |
Summary
We are committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies. This is a full-time assignment covering maternity leave for approximately 12 months to October 2026.
As a senior Data Protection specialist, you will deal with complex matters relating to personal data and manage data protection risks. You will lead the Data Protection team to provide expert advice and support across the organisation. Your work will influence decision-making at senior levels and support the Environment Agency’s legal obligations and business objectives.
You will work autonomously within policy frameworks, using your judgement and applying your deep understanding of data protection legislation to new and varied scenarios, assessing risk, and recommending appropriate actions to resolve complex data protection issues.
The responsibilities for this role include:
• acting as the organisation’s subject matter expert on all aspects of data protection, managing complex casework, complaints and directly supporting the Data Protection Officer
• providing strategic advice and guidance to teams on their processing of personal data
• manage more complex or sensitive requests, including those from individuals exercising their data protection rights, as well as leading advice on personal data aspects of high profile and complicated information requests
• commissioning and reviewing policies, procedures, training and guidance to ensure consistent and compliant handling of personal data
• building and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to support effective collaboration and risk management.
• contributing to the planning and delivery of strategic priorities, including through project leadership or specialist input to transformation initiatives.
• supporting development of data protection capability in the team and across the organisation through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
Everyone is required to participate in incident response when needed. See candidate pack for more information.
The team
You’ll join the Data Protection team, part of Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) within the Data and Information department. Alongside our Knowledge and Records Management colleagues, we shape how the Environment Agency manages information. We’re a friendly, supportive team spread across the country, working together to make a real impact.
You will line manage a small team of Data Protection advisers and work closely with the Data Protection Officer and Information Law team.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
*Current, recognised data protection practitioner qualification, such as BCS, IAPP, or PDP.
*Expert technical knowledge and significant experience in a data protection role
*Proven ability to build and influence relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, balancing multiple perspectives and securing consensus to deliver results through others.
*Demonstrated leadership in implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges, managing organisational priorities and resources in high-risk or reputationally sensitive matters.
*A clear commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement, contributing to a culture of learning and collaboration
*Excellent communication and technical coaching skills
*Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing priorities and demands, managing a busy workload, while maintaining focus on efficiency and quality outcomes.
*Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, leading confidently through uncertainty and complexity
*Ability to balance attention to detail and seeing the bigger picture
Desirable experience:
*Working within a large public sector organisation.
*Compliance monitoring and reporting
*Line management
As a senior Data Protection specialist, you will deal with complex matters relating to personal data and manage data protection risks. You will lead the Data Protection team to provide expert advice and support across the organisation. Your work will influence decision-making at senior levels and support the Environment Agency’s legal obligations and business objectives.
You will work autonomously within policy frameworks, using your judgement and applying your deep understanding of data protection legislation to new and varied scenarios, assessing risk, and recommending appropriate actions to resolve complex data protection issues.
The responsibilities for this role include:
• acting as the organisation’s subject matter expert on all aspects of data protection, managing complex casework, complaints and directly supporting the Data Protection Officer
• providing strategic advice and guidance to teams on their processing of personal data
• manage more complex or sensitive requests, including those from individuals exercising their data protection rights, as well as leading advice on personal data aspects of high profile and complicated information requests
• commissioning and reviewing policies, procedures, training and guidance to ensure consistent and compliant handling of personal data
• building and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to support effective collaboration and risk management.
• contributing to the planning and delivery of strategic priorities, including through project leadership or specialist input to transformation initiatives.
• supporting development of data protection capability in the team and across the organisation through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
Everyone is required to participate in incident response when needed. See candidate pack for more information.
The team
You’ll join the Data Protection team, part of Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) within the Data and Information department. Alongside our Knowledge and Records Management colleagues, we shape how the Environment Agency manages information. We’re a friendly, supportive team spread across the country, working together to make a real impact.
You will line manage a small team of Data Protection advisers and work closely with the Data Protection Officer and Information Law team.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
*Current, recognised data protection practitioner qualification, such as BCS, IAPP, or PDP.
*Expert technical knowledge and significant experience in a data protection role
*Proven ability to build and influence relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, balancing multiple perspectives and securing consensus to deliver results through others.
*Demonstrated leadership in implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges, managing organisational priorities and resources in high-risk or reputationally sensitive matters.
*A clear commitment to teamwork and continuous improvement, contributing to a culture of learning and collaboration
*Excellent communication and technical coaching skills
*Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing priorities and demands, managing a busy workload, while maintaining focus on efficiency and quality outcomes.
*Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, leading confidently through uncertainty and complexity
*Ability to balance attention to detail and seeing the bigger picture
Desirable experience:
*Working within a large public sector organisation.
*Compliance monitoring and reporting
*Line management