Data Protection Manager

We are recruiting a Data Protection Manager to play a pivotal role in safeguarding information, strengthening compliance, and supporting high‑quality decision‑making across the organisation. This is a senior, influential role leading a specialist team within Information Governance, working closely with services, senior leaders and external partners.

If you are an experienced data protection professional who thrives on solving complex issues, influencing at senior level and leading people through change, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real organisational impact.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively neworganisation that combines the strengths and expertiseof the previousfive councils in the countytocreate positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to providestronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.

About the role

As Data Protection Manager, you will lead the delivery of the statutory Data Protection service, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and best practice. You will deputise for the Data Protection Officer where required, managing complex and sensitive casework while adapting to changing priorities in a fast‑moving regulatory environment.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Working closely with the Data Protection Officer to support and embed compliance with UK GDPR, the DPA 2018 and associated statutory guidance across the organisation.
• Working closely with the Data Protection Officer during ICO engagement or regulatory correspondence, as required.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on Subject Access Requests (SARs), providing expert advice, guidance and ongoing support to staff involved in SAR processing and wider data protection rights.
• Overseeing the completion and quality assurance of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and risk assessments.
• Leading and developing a team of Information Governance professionals, ensuring high standards of performance, motivation and service delivery.
• Leading and managing the operational delivery of Subject Access Requests (SARs), ensuring statutory compliance, effective case management and performance against deadlines.
• Leading on and overseeing the investigation, coordination and management of personal data breaches and incidents, ensuring timely risk assessment, appropriate remedial action and organisational learning.
• Designing and delivering data protection training and awareness programmes across the organisation.
• Promoting a strong culture of accountability, transparency and privacy by design.
• Coaching and mentoring staff to build organisational capability in data protection and information governance.
• Monitoring performance, quality and statutory deadlines for information rights work
• Acting as a subject matter expert on Subject Access Requests (SARs), providing expert advice, guidance and ongoing support to staff involved in SAR processing and wider data protection rights.

This role offers the opportunity to work at both a strategic and operational level, balancing leadership, technical expertise and stakeholder engagement.

At Buckinghamshire Council, we follow a hybrid working model. As an ‘any‑desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital files and systems, whether from home or one of our offices.

You’ll be required to attend the office for a minimum of two days per week, depending on role and team needs.

About you

You will be a confident and credible Information Governance professional with strong leadership skills and expert knowledge of data protection legislation.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of managing complex and escalated data protection matters, including high‑risk, sensitive or contentious cases.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, associated statutory guidance and emerging developments in the data protection landscape.
• Experience of developing, reviewing and embedding data protection policies, procedures and service improvements within a regulated environment.
• An experienced and effective people manager, with a proven ability to lead, motivate and develop staff to deliver high‑quality, compliant outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain legal or technical issues in clear, confident and accessible language.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, enabling you to manage competing priorities and meet statutory deadlines.
• Analytical skills, with experience of researching, evaluating and presenting information to inform decision‑making and assurance.
• Confidence and sound professional judgement to provide pragmatic, risk‑based advice and to work effectively with senior stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach, with a commitment to sharing knowledge and contributing to continuous service improvement.

You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and hold a relevant professional or vocational qualification.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 4th May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like‑minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work‑life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

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