Key Responsibilities
* Advise staff on data protection obligations under UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and ISO standards.
* Lead privacy-by-design initiatives across projects and ensure data protection is embedded from the outset.
* Oversee compliance with data protection laws, internal policies, and certification frameworks.
* Conduct audits, maintain records of processing activities, and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
* Maintain and update data protection and security policies, including consent forms and data management plans.
* Deliver training and awareness programmes to ensure staff understand their responsibilities—especially in high-risk areas like HR, IT, and clinical research.
* Guide teams through Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and advise on safeguards for sensitive data.
* Support breach response efforts, including containment, reporting, and post-incident reviews.
* Act as the primary contact for regulators (e.g., ICO) and coordinate responses to inspections and inquiries.
* Manage data subject rights requests and ensure timely, compliant handling.
* Represent the organisation in external partnerships, ensuring data protection requirements are clearly defined and upheld.
✅ Essential Experience
* Proven experience as a Data Protection Officer or equivalent privacy leadership role.
* Deep knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and related data protection principles.
* Experience leading ISO27001 and ISO9001 certification activities.
* Familiarity with applying data protection in scientific research, healthcare, or not-for-profit settings.
* Understanding of information security standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001) and their intersection with privacy obligations.
* Comfortable engaging with regulators and managing high-risk data processing consultations.
* Experience working cross-functionally with legal, HR, IT, and research teams.
* Ability to establish and maintain a robust data protection compliance programme, including DPIAs, breach response, training, and vendor assessments.
* Strong grasp of technology systems and data management practices, including cloud services, databases, and analytics.
🎓 Education & Certifications
* Bachelor’s degree or higher in Law, Information Governance, Data Security, or a related field.
* Certifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, CISSP, or CISM are highly desirable.
🌟 Skills & Attributes
* High integrity and independence; able to work autonomously with sound judgment.
* Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
* Strong communication skills; able to translate complex regulations into clear guidance.
* Analytical and problem-solving mindset with a methodical approach to compliance.
* Excellent organisational and project management capabilities.
* Resilience and discretion when handling sensitive information.
* Collaborative and influential; able to build trust across departments while maintaining an objective stance.