Data Protection Officer

Wrexham County Borough Council; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Generous annual leave up to 32 days

Bilingual workforce supportive

Job summary

Wrexham County Borough Council is seeking an experienced Data Protection Officer to lead the council's approach to data protection, information governance and legislative compliance. The role is statutory under UK GDPR and requires independent expert advice to senior management.

You will monitor compliance, manage data breach reporting, liaise with the ICO and drive training and a culture of accountability across the council. Welsh bilingual capability is welcomed and valued.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience.
• A recognised Data Protection qualification (or willingness to achieve this within an agreed timeframe).
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, data protection legislation and information governance.
• Experience of advising on compliance within a complex organisation.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, investigative and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience of managing priorities, working independently and meeting deadlines.
• Supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council's data protection and information governance framework.
• Provide expert advice and monitor compliance with UK GDPR and information legislation.
• Manage data breach reporting and liaise with the ICO.
• Support organisational learning and training on information governance.
• Help ensure information is managed lawfully, securely and effectively across the Council.

Skills

Data protection knowledge

DPO qualification

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Deadline-driven

Independent working

Supervisory experience

Education

Degree-level education

Data Protection qualification

Job description

29.6 hours per week
Protect Information. Influence Strategy. Make a Difference.

Wrexham County Borough Council is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Data Protection Officer (DPO) to lead the Council's approach to data protection, information governance and legislative compliance.

This is a statutory role under the UK General Data Protection Regulation, providing independent expert advice and assurance to the Council's highest levels of management. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that the Council meets its obligations under data protection legislation and related information governance frameworks, while supporting a culture of compliance, accountability and continuous improvement.

About the Role

This is a key statutory role responsible for leading the Council's data protection and information governance framework. You will provide expert advice, monitor compliance with UK GDPR and information legislation, manage data breach reporting, liaise with the ICO, support organisational learning and training, and help ensure information is managed lawfully, securely and effectively across the Council.

About You

• Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience.
• A recognised Data Protection qualification (or willingness to achieve this within an agreed timeframe).
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, data protection legislation and information governance.
• Experience of advising on compliance within a complex organisation.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, investigative and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience of managing priorities, working independently and meeting deadlines.
• Supervisory or management experience.
• A commitment to integrity, accountability and public service values.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to undertake a highly influential statutory role within a forward-thinking local authority. You will work closely with senior leaders across the organisation, helping to ensure that information is managed lawfully, securely and effectively while supporting services that make a real difference to our communities.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rebecca Wright, Head of Service, Legal Democratic & Registration 01978 292214 [e-mail]

The Council welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religious belief or age.

The Council is committed to developing its bilingual workforce and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

About Us

• Grymuso

The County Borough of Wrexham, located in North East Wales, is proud of its Welsh heritage and cultural identity. Over the years it has grown to reflect a population that is multi-religious and multi-ethnic and complements the diversity of our communities.

Centred on the city of Wrexham, which nestles between the Welsh mountains and the Cheshire plains, it’s a location that really can offer you the best of both worlds and we are proud of our city status (awarded in 2022 when we became the seventh city in Wales).

Wrexham County Borough Council is a unitary Council which delivers a wide range of services aimed at improving the lives of Wrexham residents and surrounding communities. We are committed to providing services through collaboration with local and national partners. With a focus on sustainable development, community wellbeing, and improving the lives of Wrexham residents and surrounding communities, Wrexham is a fantastic place to work, live, and learn.

The council is an inclusive employer with a workforce of around 5,500, offering diverse roles, training and development and rewarding career opportunities. Wrexham County Borough Council values innovation, bilingualism in English and Welsh, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, the council ensures accessible recruitment and support for disabled employees including offering a guaranteed interview (where essential person specification items are met). Additionally, veterans will receive guaranteed interviews under the Armed Forces Covenant if eligibility criteria are met (where essential person specification items are met).

Employee benefits include:

• Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous annual leave up to 32 days
• Family-friendly policies supporting caring and family commitments
• Work-life balance and flexi time (dependent on role)
• Access to Wrexham Reward Scheme with discounts off leading retailers nationally and locally
• Health & well-being resources, for example:
  • Healthy & Wellbeing Champions
  • Employee assistance programme with advice on staying healthy financially, mentally or physically:
    • Counselling (available 24/7, 365 days a year)
    • In-the-moment emotional support (available 24/7, 365 days a year)
    • Option to set health-boosting goals with small, sustainable lifestyle changes
    • Connect health apps to track physical health and meet progress goals
    • Blogs, videos, recipes and more resources providing inspiration and motivation
    • Identify risks of developing leading lifestyle-related diseases with mental health and financial scores
    • Legal, financial and consumer advice
  • Health and wellbeing events and campaigns throughout the year (e.g., November Health Day, Time to Talk Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, Sun Awareness Week, Menopause Week, Financial Health Week)
  • Menopause Café and guidance
  • Unpaid Carer Café and guidance

Our Council Plan (2023–28) sets out our priorities for this period and we deliver these by following the Nolan Values of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership) as well as our own Corporate Values:

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