Data Protection Advisor

QinetiQ; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension & life assurance

Holiday allowance

Health & dental insurance options

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces Covenant

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ in Farnborough is recruiting a Data Protection Advisor to support the Group Head of Business Governance as DPO, coordinating data protection obligations across the organisation and its entities. The role involves engaging with Procurement and Commercial Teams, monitoring UK and global data protection changes, and closing compliance gaps.

You will lead DPIA reviews, provide policy guidance, and drive training to strengthen data protection risk management across multiple sites, with some

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, including records of processing and DPIA registers.
• Experience interpreting data protection contractual requirements and implementing risk controls.
• Good understanding of related legislation including AI, Data Use and Access/Storage, RIPA, IPA, PECR and EU AI Act.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships across multiple business areas.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and attention-to-detail skills with experience developing policies and guidance documents.
• Excellent communication skills, able to work independently, train others, and provide practical compliance advice.

Responsibilities

• Maintain key data protection records, including Records of Processing, DPIA registers, and incident logs.
• Review and oversee DPIAs, agreeing mitigation actions with stakeholders and ensuring completion.
• Lead engagement with internal teams and group entities to implement data protection agreements and compliance frameworks.
• Provide expert guidance on data protection policies, processes, and compliance requirements, escalating complex issues to the DPO when necessary.
• Monitor changes in data protection and related legislation, leading initiatives to maintain ongoing compliance.
• Deliver training, conduct assessments and investigations, and manage data breach responses to strengthen risk management.

Skills

UK GDPR knowledge

Data protection

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Data protection certification (CIPP/E CIPM GDPR cert)

Job description

Package: £53,100 – £59,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits Role ID: SF20569 Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Data Protection Advisor at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Data Protection Advisor, you will support the Group Head of Business Governance in their capacity as Data Protection Officer (DPO) in undertaking data protection activities, which will assist QinetiQ in managing their data protection obligations. Day-to-day, you’ll also support the engagement with Procurement and Commercial Teams on Data Protection matters and wider engagement with the Group entities on how to manage their data protection obligations. Additionally, the role will monitor the changes to data protection both in the UK and global to proactively manage project to close any compliance gaps. The role may require travel to and from QinetiQ other sites.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain key data protection records, including Records of Processing, DPIA registers, and incident logs
• Review and oversee DPIAs, agreeing mitigation actions with stakeholders and ensuring completion
• Lead engagement with internal teams and group entities to implement appropriate data protection agreements and compliance frameworks
• Provide expert guidance on data protection policies, processes, and compliance requirements, escalating complex issues to the DPO when necessary
• Monitor changes in data protection and related legislation, leading initiatives to maintain ongoing organisational compliance
• Deliver training, conduct compliance assessments and investigations, and manage data breach responses to strengthen data protection risk management

Essential experience of the Data Protection Advisor

• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, including management of Records of Processing, DPIA registers, and incident logs
• Experience interpreting data protection contractual requirements and implementing effective risk management controls
• Good understanding of related legislation, including AI, Data Use and Access/Storage, RIPA, IPA, PECR, and the EU AI Act
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships across multiple business areas
• Strong analytical, organisational, and attention-to-detail skills, with experience developing policies, processes, and guidance documents
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work independently, deliver training, and provide practical compliance advice

Essential qualifications for the Data Protection Advisor

• Hold relevant data protection qualification, such as IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E), IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, GDPR Practitioner Certification, or other recognised data protection, privacy, or information governance certifications.

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Farnborough site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week.

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state‑of‑the‑art facility, with high‑energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) #UKD

Our Recruitment Process

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community