Data Protection Officer
| Posting date: | 24 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £450.0 per day |
| Additional salary information: | £450 Per Day |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 December 2025 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BE |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 4749511_1764005598 |
Summary
Senior Interim DPO required to lead organisation-wide governance, risk management and regulatory engagement.
- £450 + VAT per day
- 6-month Contract (Inside IR35) - Umbrella only
- Reading, Berkshire UK (Hybrid)
Your new company
We are a nationally respected charitable organisation with a singular mission: to bring hope, joy and life-changing experiences to children and families facing critical challenges. With a legacy of compassion and impact, we are now entering a bold new phase, one that harnesses the power of digital transformation to amplify our reach, streamline our operations and deepen our connection with those we serve. To safeguard this pivotal journey, we are seeking a highly experienced Interim Data Protection Officer to oversee data protection across the entire organisation, ensuring compliance, trust and resilience at every level.
Your new role
This is a senior, high-profile appointment with responsibility for data protection across the full breadth and depth of the organisation. You will act as the single point of accountability for all matters relating to data privacy and information governance, ensuring that every department, system and process adheres to regulatory requirements and best practice. Your remit will encompass organisation-wide oversight of GDPR, the UK Data Protection Act and broader governance frameworks. You will lead the development and implementation of policies that embed compliance into every function, deliver training that drives cultural change and ensure staff at all levels understand and embrace their responsibilities. You will manage audits and risk assessments, proactively identify vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience. You will also oversee incident response and reporting, providing authoritative guidance and assurance to senior leadership and regulators.
You will work closely with trustees, executives, programme managers, operational teams and external partners to ensure that data protection is fully integrated into our digital transformation programme and day-to-day operations. This is not a siloed compliance role, it is a strategic leadership position that will shape the organisation's future.
What you'll need to succeed
You are a seasoned Interim DPO with a proven track record of successfully fulfilling this role at least 3 times in complex, purpose-driven organisations. You bring authority, clarity and confidence to every aspect of data protection, from regulatory interpretation through to operational implementation. Your expertise includes leading organisation-wide compliance programmes, managing audits and regulatory engagement with assurance and credibility, advising boards and senior leadership on risk, governance and accountability and embedding best practice across diverse teams and functions. Most importantly, you understand the power of safeguarding data to serve a greater cause, and you are ready to make a difference at scale.
What you'll get in return
This is more than a contract; it is a chance to protect and enable meaningful change in an organisation that transforms lives every day. Alongside a competitive daily rate, you will gain exposure to strategic leadership, cutting-edge digital initiatives and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in the charitable sector by ensuring trust and compliance remain at the forefront of our transformation.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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