Data Protection Officer

RNLI; England; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A national charity in the UK is seeking a Data Protection Officer to lead their GDPR compliance program. This role involves developing a data protection compliance framework and working with various teams to embed best practices in data processing. Ideal candidates will have extensive knowledge of the data protection legal framework and strong interpersonal and communication skills. The position offers hybrid working between home and Poole.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of data protection legal framework, including GDPR.
• Proven track record of translating regulation into auditable processes.
• Ability to embed best practices in data processing activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the RNLI through a program to achieve GDPR compliance.
• Develop and implement a data protection compliance framework.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Reporting and presentation skills

Job description

Overview

Data Protection Officer

Salary: 62,623 - 73,674 (dependent on experience)

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Location: Poole, Dorset, England

Location description: Hybrid working between home and Poole, 3 days a week

Interview date: 20 - 23 October 2025

Closing Date: 09-10-2025

Reference: 20355

These are exciting times at the RNLI. Through our continuous improvement programme, we are driving fast-paced, transformational change that allows us to save more lives at sea in new and creative ways. We are engaging with different audiences, developing new products and finding even more effective and streamlined ways of running our lifesaving service, and we are working in a highly regulated and changing legal environment. Agility and innovation are high on our agenda as we transform our culture and the way in which we operate.

About the role

This role will have high visibility across the organisation and is an exciting opportunity to lead the RNLI through a programme of change to transition to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance and contribute to our data transformation journey.

Skills, knowledge and experience

The ideal candidate will have substantial knowledge and experience of the data protection legal framework, including GDPR. You will have a proven track record of translating regulation into auditable processes and demonstrate the ability to embed and promote best practice in data processing activities, especially in a digital supporter engagement context. You will need to work with the programme team to develop and implement a data protection compliance framework.

• Strong interpersonal, excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to translate regulation to a variety of audiences and to take a pragmatic approach to managing programmes of work.
• Good reporting and presentation skills relating to the technology required for this role.
• Experience of working in a large organisation is ideally suited for this role.

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable) and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.