Data Governance and Protection Lead

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Culham; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary incl. specialist allowance

Bonus up to 7%

Final salary pension

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority invites applications for the Data Governance and Information Protection Lead role based at Culham. This 2-year Fixed-Term Appointment will drive the enterprise data governance framework and information protection controls across UKAEA, ensuring compliant, well-managed, classified and securely accessed data.

You will work with the Knowledge & Information Manager and Head of Data Solutions to align governance with the organisation’s KIM direction, monitor risks, develop

Qualifications

• Degree (or relevant experience) in a Library, Information Management or STEM subject.
• Significant experience in data governance, information protection, data management, or information management within a complex organisation.
• Experience operating data governance frameworks and information protection controls (e.g. Microsoft Purview).
• Experience producing KPIs, dashboards and management reporting.

Responsibilities

• Operate and continuously improve the enterprise data governance framework.
• Manage metadata, standards, protection and data quality across priority datasets.
• Maintain visibility of data risks and develop KPIs, dashboards and reports.

Skills

Data governance

Information protection

KIM / governance

Metadata and data quality

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Degree in Library/Information Management or STEM

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Job description

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our worldbadly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industryand research organisations to achieveground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the gridby developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the job

Contract: 2-year Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)

The Data Governance and Information Protection Lead will work closely with the Knowledge & Information Manager and Head of Data Solutions to develop and continuously improve data governance and information protection practices across UKAEA.

As an internal specialist, you will operate the enterprise data governance framework and information protection controls, ensuring data is compliant, well managed, appropriately classified, protected, and securely accessed and shared.

You will also help align data governance and information protection with UKAEA’s information architecture and Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) direction, supporting greater organisational maturity, accountability, risk visibility and secure knowledge sharing.

In this role, you will analyse governance and information protection issues, recommend process and system improvements, and provide specialist advice to influence consistent practice across the organisation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Data Governance, KIM & Compliance: Operate and continuously improve the enterprise data governance framework, aligned with KIM strategy, information architecture and organisational priorities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and internal policies.
• Metadata, Standards, Protection & Data Quality: Manage enterprise metadata and governance tools, including Microsoft Purview, ensuring consistent application of data standards, classification, labelling and secure handling, while monitoring data quality and access across priority datasets.
• Risk, Monitoring & Reporting: Maintain visibility of data and information risks, monitor protection controls and governance effectiveness, and develop KPIs, dashboards and reports to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Advice, Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Provide specialist advice on data governance, information protection and KIM practices, working with teams and data owners across UKAEA to embed consistent approaches and deliver practical improvements.
• Projects, Resources & Capability: Manage assigned governance and information protection activities, contributing to resource and tooling planning, capability development and the prioritisation of governance activities.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree (or relevant experience) in a Library, Information Management or STEM subject
• Significant experience in data governance, information protection, data management, or information management within a complex organisation.
• Practical experience operating data governance frameworks, information protection controls and related tools (e.g. Microsoft Purview or equivalent).
• Experience performing and analysing data quality checks.
• Strong understanding of data standards, metadata, governance processes and secure information handling.
• Familiarity with KIM frameworks, DAMA-DMBOK, information protection standards or relevant ISO standards.
• Experience supporting compliance, audit, or assurance activities.
• Experience producing KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting.
• Professional accreditation or working towards chartered status in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in research, engineering and / or industrial organisations.

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role

We have a generous range of benefits (see the full list here ) and highlights include:

• A salary of£57,117(inclusive ofa £5,800specialist allowance)
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus2.5 privilege days;8 Bank Holidays
• 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity,inclusionand accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require adjustments to help youparticipatefairly in our recruitment process, for example changes to the way we interview or share information. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made onmeritand further information can be found here .

£57,117 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme,details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus schemeup to7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovation, Commitment, Trust, and Collaboration.