Data Protection Officer

Red Kite Community Housing Limited; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Kite Community Housing Limited is seeking an experienced data protection and information rights professional to support the Board, Executive Leadership Team and staff.

You will lead a proportionate assurance programme, advise on DPIAs and data breaches, and coordinate readiness for STAIRs Phase 2 from 1 April 2027 while establishing governance, records and reporting to senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Graduate with a GDPR qualification and experience implementing UK GDPR compliance.
• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, including monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Advise on Data Protection Impact Assessments, personal data breaches and complex information rights decisions.
• Lead readiness for STAIRs Phase 2 requests from 1 April 2027.
• Establish governance, guidance, templates, case records and management information; monitor response times and escalations to the Housing Ombudsman.

Skills

Data protection

Information rights

Presentation skills

Education

Graduate with GDPR qualification

Job description

Job Reference: 888
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: £48,560 per annum
Interview Date: TBC
Closing Date: Monday 26 October 2026

Key responsibilities

You will provide independent, expert advice to the Board, Executive Leadership Team and colleagues on data protection and information rights, while leading a proportionate, risk-based assurance programme covering policies, training, audits and improvement actions. You will advise on Data Protection Impact Assessments, personal data breaches and complex information rights decisions; act as the principal contact with the Information Commissioner's Office where required; and lead Red Kite's readiness for STAIRs Phase 2 requests from 1 April 2027. Working across Customer Services, Governance, IT, Communications and service teams, you will establish effective governance, guidance, templates, case records and management information, monitor the 30-calendar-day response and internal review timescales, and oversee escalations to the Housing Ombudsman, reporting material risks and issues to senior leaders and the Board.

Added extras

Flexible and adaptable in a changing environment, you are a trusted professional who acts with integrity and sound judgement. You are approachable and confident, able to provide support while constructively challenging decisions where appropriate, and are committed to achieving both individual success and wider organisational goals.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Educated to graduate level with a relevant GDPR qualification, you will bring experience of implementing UK GDPR compliance within an organisational setting, alongside a strong understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, including compliance and monitoring. You will be confident in applying best practice in a practical, business-focused way to support effective data protection across the organisation.

You will have excellent verbal, written and presentation skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders, executives and customers. Confident, independent and self-motivated, you will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, alongside a clear commitment to our aims, ambitions and the wider social housing sector.