Overview
Senior Data Protection Lead role at Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).
Salary: £44,198 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Apply before: 11:55 pm on Monday 22nd September 2025
About the role
As Data Protection lead, you will have a proactive and pragmatic approach to lead and champion the highest data protection standards and drive forward compliance across all the VCA. In doing so, we ensure that the data collected, stored, processed, and shared by the agency is secure, compliant, and ethical. As well as promoting adherence across all business areas you will promote learning and embed improved ways of working to ensure that our legal position is robust, and we are following the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Working with colleagues of all levels of seniority across the VCA and the wider Department for Transport (DfT), you will need to be confident with addressing diverse interests and respectfully managing these with a high-level of tact, diplomacy, and corporate spirit. Forging professional and robust relationships with those around you and championing best practice will influence uptake and engage in the work you are leading and the importance of this.
We are passionate about supporting colleagues both mentally and physically, by offering a range of benefits and policies to ensure you achieve a work-life balance. You will be a valued member of an organisation who cares about you, by giving you the support you need to reach your full potential.
Top Responsibilities
* To work proactively as the VCA's Data Protection principal point of contact and subject matter expert. To independently monitor the VCA’s compliance and obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 / UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) promoting best practice and providing expert advice and guidance on the application of data protection legislation.
* Lead and manage the VCA team responsible for handling responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests, Subject Access Requests (SAR), as well as responses to Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial correspondence.
* Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key colleagues in the central department, and its executive agencies to share resources, knowledge, and expertise to promote regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
* Review and provide robust advice and recommendations across a range of data protection topics including the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Legitimate Interest Balancing Exercises and data Sharing Agreements to mitigate privacy risks and advise on potential solutions and changes to processes / policies proposed to aid both their legal and practical application.
* Create and maintain documentation that provides evidence of legal and regulatory compliance.
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
Benefits
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About you
* A current, and good working knowledge and understanding of both the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) / Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and Freedom of Information (FOI) / Environmental Information Regulations (EIR).
* Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain focus and alignment of the team’s activities.
* Work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
* Experience building relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on establishing trust and ensuring clear, honest communication to ensure effective and efficient handling of complex information requests.
* Experience providing evidence based, risk balanced advice to seniors, presenting complex considerations in clear and non-technical terms with a track record of analysing complex data from disparate sources.
How to Apply
Read the full job description and apply here https://bit.ly/46mhBth
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 22nd September 2025.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Information Technology
* Industries: Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr