Job Title: Operational Policy and Compliance Manager
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000
Working arrangements: Hybrid
Direct Reports: X2
Overview
This role leads a newly established Operational Policy and Compliance function, responsible for developing, embedding and continuously improving operational policies and procedures. The function also supports the organisation’s compliance with data protection and information access legislation.
The postholder will oversee a small team and ensure the function can respond effectively to changing operational demands.
The role sits within the Information Management team as part of a wider Legal and Information function. It requires close collaboration with legal, policy, knowledge management and operational teams across the organisation.
Purpose of the Role
The key objective of this role is to ensure that operational policies and supporting materials are clear, consistent and aligned with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
The role also provides oversight and guidance on statutory obligations relating to data protection and information access requests, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Development and Governance
- Establish and maintain a structured framework for the review and update of operational policies, procedures and guidance
- Work with policy owners and subject matter experts to prioritise and deliver policy development activity
- Ensure all policies reflect current legal, regulatory and organisational requirements
- Identify gaps in policy coverage and drive continuous improvement
Drafting and Quality Assurance
- Lead the drafting and refinement of operational policies and guidance to ensure clarity and usability
- Develop standardised templates and guidance to promote consistency and best practice
- Provide expert input on structuring and presenting policy content, including complex or legally informed material
Advice and Interpretation
- Provide guidance on the interpretation and application of operational policies
- Support teams in implementing policy requirements effectively
- Contribute to decision making by offering clear, practical advice
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
- Assess the effectiveness of policies through feedback, audit activity and performance data
- Implement improvements based on insight and evaluation
- Ensure policies remain accessible, relevant and aligned with organisational priorities
Communication and Engagement
- Lead the communication of policy updates across the organisation
- Deliver briefings, reports and presentations to senior stakeholders as required
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure engagement and understanding
Compliance and Information Governance
- Support compliance with data protection and information access legislation
- Oversee processes relating to information requests and ensure statutory deadlines are met
- Develop and maintain processes that support effective information risk management
Team Leadership
Line manage and develop team members, supporting performance and professional growth
- Monitor workloads and allocate resources in response to changing demands
- Establish clear service standards and performance measures for the function
Wider Contribution
- Support strategic and operational planning within the Information Management team
- Contribute to the leadership of the wider Legal and Information function
- Build a strong understanding of the organisation’s regulatory and operational environment
Person Specification
- Degree or equivalent experience
- Strong experience in drafting and reviewing policies, procedures or guidance
- Proven ability to interpret and apply legislation, regulation or formal standards in an operational setting
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex information
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
- Experience of leading or supervising others
- Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Proactive approach with sound judgement and decision making ability
- Experience of working with data protection and information access frameworks
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles