We are looking for an experienced Information Governance Manager to lead and develop our corporate information governance function.
This is a key role providing oversight, assurance and expert advice across the Council on data protection, information rights, records management and lawful information sharing. You will help ensure that information is managed responsibly and effectively, while enabling services to make appropriate use of data to deliver for our residents.
You will work across the organisation, providing constructive advice and challenge, setting standards and helping services understand and manage information risk. You will support the Data Protection Officer, work closely with the Senior Information Risk Owner, and act as Deputy Data Protection Officer where required.
What you’ll be doing
You will lead a small specialist team and have a broad remit across information governance. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the Council’s approach to information governance policies, procedures, standards and compliance.
- Providing expert advice on the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004, information sharing and records management.
- Leading the information governance response to personal data breaches and information incidents, including risk assessment, containment, regulatory reporting where required and lessons learned.
- Supporting effective oversight of corporate information risk and the work of the Council’s Information Management Strategy Group.
- Working closely with Legal Services, Internal Audit, Technology, Digital and operational services to strengthen information governance and assurance.
- Leading implementation of the Council’s corporate approach to records management, including appropriate retention, disposal and sharing of information.
- Advising on Data Protection Impact Assessments, data sharing and processing agreements and other information governance requirements.
- Developing guidance and training that helps colleagues understand and meet their information governance responsibilities.
You will also be responsible for managing the team effectively, including staff development and performance, service planning, resources and continuous improvement.
About you
We are looking for someone with strong practical experience of information governance in a public authority, regulated environment or similarly complex organisation.
You should have experience across a number of areas, including:
- Data protection and information governance.
- Personal data breaches and information incidents.
- Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations and Subject Access Requests.
- Data Protection Impact Assessments and information sharing.
- Records management and information retention.
- Information governance assurance, compliance reviews, risk management and improvement planning.
- Managing people, workloads and competing service priorities.
- Developing guidance, briefings and training for colleagues.
You will need a strong working knowledge of the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004, together with the ability to turn complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical advice.
Just as importantly, you will be confident working with senior managers and service leads. You will need to provide credible, evidence-based challenge while understanding the operational realities of delivering public services.
What we’re looking for
You will bring:
- Sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
- The confidence to provide independent, evidence-based advice.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to communicate complex issues clearly to non-specialists.
- A collaborative approach, working effectively across professional boundaries.
- A practical focus on improving compliance, processes and organisational understanding.
A degree-level qualification, or equivalent relevant professional experience, is essential. Relevant professional qualifications or specialist training in information governance, data protection, records management or information rights would be an advantage.
Why this role?
This is an opportunity to take a leading role in how information is governed across a large and complex public organisation.
You will have the scope to influence practice across the Council, strengthen our approach to information risk and records management, and help services find practical ways of meeting their legal and regulatory responsibilities. The role also offers significant engagement across Technology, Digital, Legal Services, Internal Audit and operational services, as well as with regulators and external partners.
If you are an experienced information governance professional who combines technical knowledge with sound judgement, strong communication skills and a practical approach to problem solving, we would welcome your application.