Data Protection Manager

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

8 Bank Holidays + Privilege Day

Professional qualifications paid by CS

Job summary

Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking a Data Protection Manager within the Digital, Information and Security Directorate. You will lead a team of advisers, delivering expert guidance on information rights and risk management to enable public trust and compliant operations.

You will champion data protection by design, ensure accurate records and rights requests are handled within statutory timescales, and drive professional development across the team.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of data protection law and practices.
• Experience advising on complex data processing activities.
• Experience with FOI and a practitioner-level qualification within 6 months of starting.
• Experience leading a team in information governance.
• Knowledge of information risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of expert advisers delivering timely advice on information rights and risks to the business.
• Champion data protection by design and default in new projects and services.
• Maintain records evidencing compliance, e.g., Register of Processing Activities.
• Oversee processing of individual rights requests within statutory timescales and improve performance.
• Pursue ongoing professional development for self and team.

Skills

Data protection law

FOI advisory

Information governance

Team leadership

Risk management

Education

Data protection practitioner qualification

Job description

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 31st August 2026

Location: Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, London, Swansea (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

This is a unique opportunity to join the Department for Transport's Digital, Information and Security Directorate, where you'll act as the Data Protection Manager for the central department and support the Data Protection Officer in the delivery of their statutory tasks. Working at the heart of the organisation, you'll provide expert advice on information rights legislation, helping the Department manage risk and maintain public trust.

Leading a team of specialist advisers, you will champion a culture of data protection by design and default, ensuring compliance is embedded into new projects, services and ways of working from the outset. You'll work closely with senior leaders, influencing decision-making on complex and high-profile issues, while maintaining appropriate records to demonstrate compliance.

Top Responsibilities

• Manage a team of expert advisers who, along with yourself, provide expert and timely advice on information rights law and associated risks to the business, ensuring a sensible and proportionate approach is taken to help the department operate in a way that inspires public trust and confidence.
• Be an enthusiastic advocate for data protection by design and default to ensure that data protection requirements are factored into processes and change projects at the earliest stages.
• Ensure the department’s accountability obligations are met by maintaining accurate records that help evidence compliance such as an up-to-date Register of Processing Activities.
• Ensure adequate arrangements are in place to fulfil individual rights requests in accordance with statutory timescales, monitoring compliance and taking steps to address poor performance.
• Maintain your ongoing professional development and that of your team.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 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.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 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

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Expert knowledge of data protection law and practices and experience of advising on complex data processing activities.
• You will have extensive experience in FOI and either have a relevant practitioner-level qualification or be willing to acquire within 6 months of starting the role.
• Experience of leading a team in the field of information governance to deliver excellent customer service.
• Knowledge of information risk management.
• You will hold at least a practitioner level, industry-recognised qualification in data protection.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 31st August 2026