Job Summary
Essex Police is recruiting a Data Protection Compliance Manager on a temporary basis until December 2027, the end date may be subject to change, to support the delivery of the Force's data protection audit, assurance and compliance arrangements.
Contract Details
* Location: Chelmsford
* Advert Closing Date: 23/06/2026
* Starting Salary: £45,765.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)
* Part/Full Time: Full Time
* Contract Type: Secondment/fixed-term
* Working Pattern: Mon-Fri
* Weekend/Evening Working: No
Responsibilities
* Act as tactical lead for information-based risk, focusing on personal data breach management and DPIA oversight across the organisation.
* Support day-to-day application of data protection governance, including DPIAs, information rights activities (rectification and deletion) and policy/procedure guidance.
* Provide line management of data protection resources and deputise for the Force DPO where appropriate, including supporting force‑wide training.
* Coordinate and deliver audit and assurance activities, such as site visits and compliance‑based audits, to identify non‑compliance, assess risk, and support mitigation measures.
* When residual risk remains, support escalation through appropriate governance routes, as agreed with the Force DPO.
Required Qualifications and Experience
* Strong working knowledge of data protection legislation, ideally with practical application within a policing or regulatory environment, and a clear understanding of the roles of the DPO and SIRO.
* 2–5 years’ experience working in a data‑protection‑led environment (e.g., sharing/disclosure of material).
* At least 2 years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership role, demonstrating the ability to coordinate work, set standards, and support others to deliver consistently high‑quality outcomes.
Additional Qualifications (Desirable)
* A formal data protection qualification (e.g., BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection). If not currently held, it is expected to be achieved in the role.
* An information security qualification (e.g., BCS CISMP) and/or experience managing information security incidents and personal data breaches, including investigation and mitigation tracking.
Location
The role is home‑based agile, based at Essex Police Headquarters, Chelmsford. The post is worked Monday to Friday, with occasional on‑site attendance required to support audit and assurance activity.
Benefits
* Work directly to support public confidence, organisational risk management, and lawful policing practice.
* Exposure to force‑wide governance, senior stakeholders, and complex regulatory issues.
* Opportunities for professional development within a specialist compliance function.
Contact
For further information contact Force Data Protection Officer, Michelle Watson, email michelle.watson@essex.police.uk.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
* If you are not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years, and you must be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain.
* If you are from the UK, you must have lived here continuously for the last three years (exempt for serving abroad in the British Armed Forces).
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.
* As a Disability Confident Leader we have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation.
* We are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
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