Data Protection Governance Manager

idibu; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water & wastewater company in the UK seeks a Data Protection Governance Manager to oversee compliance and data protection initiatives. Responsibilities include managing policies, training, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication skills and a background in risk management. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including up to 26 days of holiday, a pension plan, and various health and wellness perks.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £60,000

26 days holiday, increasing to 30

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Health assessments

Family health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop, update, and communicate policies, standards, and procedures.
• Experience leading compliance initiatives and managing risk activities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with internal teams and regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee review and update of policies and procedures.
• Manage Privacy Notices and training initiatives.
• Administer the Data Protection Committee and Water UK forum.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Compliance initiatives

Risk management

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Initiative

Collaborative approach

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Job description

This is a 12 week Fixed Term Contract, with a minimum requirement of 3 days in the office.

We are looking for a Data Protection Governance Manager who understands how data protection integrates with core business operations, including audit, assurance, cyber security, customer experience, and learning & development.

The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to develop, update, and communicate policies, standards, and procedures across the organisation.

You will bring experience in leading compliance initiatives, managing risk and control activities, and supporting business units to meet regulatory obligations. Strong stakeholder engagement skills are essential, as you’ll be working with internal teams, regulatory bodies, committees, and cross-functional groups.

What you will be doing as Data Protection Governance Manager

• Overseeing the review, update, and communication of policies, standards, and procedures to relevant stakeholders and business areas.
• Managing and maintaining Privacy Notices and FAQ documents.
• Planning, coordinating, and delivering data protection training, communications, and engagement initiatives across the company.
• Administering the Data Protection Committee and the Water UK forum.
• Leading risk and control activities for the Data Protection function.
• Managing ICO registrations for all entities within the Kemble group.
• Maintaining and updating entries for the ICO accountability tracker.
• Overseeing the upkeep of the DP Hub and Portal on SharePoint.
• Potential line management / supervisory expectation.

What you should bring to the role

• Highly skilled in engaging with both internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, committees, and cross‑functional teams.
• Have a proven track record in planning, coordinating, and delivering training, communications, and engagement initiatives that promote a strong understanding of data protection across the business.
• A solid awareness of how data protection integrates with key business functions—such as audit, assurance, cyber security, customer experience, and learning & development—is essential.
• Strong IT proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint administration, is required.
• The role also demands experience in compliance, ideally within GDPR or data protection, as well as expertise in risk management, multitasking, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organisational skills, and written communication—including minute‑taking—are critical to success in this position.
• Positive and approachable, an excellent communicator.
• Initiative, proactivity, the ability to work without close supervision.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly and take ownership of the role.
• Collaborative approach to work.

What’s in it for you?

An opportunity to join a company that offers its employees a rewarding career path, allowing individuals to reach their full potential. This is an exciting time to join Thames Water as we continue to deliver our innovative turnaround plan.

• Competitive salary up to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Performance‑related pay is directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well‑being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.