Data Protection Specialist

SSE PLC; Glasgow, Perth, Reading; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Online GP access

Cycle to Work scheme

Parental leave

Job summary

SSE is seeking a Data Protection Specialist to support the Distribution business in meeting GDPR obligations, managing incidents and DPIAs, and reporting to senior leadership. The role requires strong stakeholder engagement and a deep understanding of data protection in a regulated energy environment.

The position is a 12-month secondment/FTC with full-time hours, offering flexible first options and a base location with 50% travel to Glasgow, Perth or Reading.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of GDPR requirements and practical interpretation for a large organisation.
• Experience in risk assessment and providing business-focused compliance advice.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication to influence senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with data protection requirements including incident and breach management.
• Facilitate DPIAs for high-risk processing activities.
• Represent Data Protection in steering groups and develop communications and training.
• Prepare monthly reports for Senior Leaders including Distribution Executive Committee.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Negotiation

Influence

Education

GDPR Practitioner qualification

Experience with data protection laws in regulated environments

Job description

Base Location:You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Glasgow, Perth or Reading.

Salary:£50,964 - £60,899 + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern:12-month secondment/FTC | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

The Data Protection Specialist is a key role within the Distribution Data Protection team, responsible for supporting the Distribution business in ensuring that essential business obligations are met regarding Data Protection.

The role-holder is responsible for supporting SSEN Distribution in fulfilling their obligations, providing advice, recommendations, appropriate challenge and counter measures, and ensuring related business risks are managed effectively in line with internal processes.

You will

• Ensure that SSEN fulfils all its mandatory, and often timebound, data protection requirements including incident and breach management, the management and fulfilment of all data subject rights and Environmental Information Requests.
• Facilitate the completion of data privacy screenings, and - where necessary - full Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), for all new / high risk personal data processing activities.
• Represent the Data Protection team at steering groups and ongoing development of communication pieces, information tools and facilitation of training with key business teams and stakeholders to raise awareness of Data Protection.
• Prepare monthly reports circulated to Senior Leaders, including the Distribution Executive Committee and Data Protection Officer. Undertake analysis of incident reporting to recommend improvements and mitigations to the business and highlight areas of concern, emerging threats and opportunities for improvement.

You have

To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:

• GDPR Practitioner qualification.
• Deep understanding of GDPR requirements and extensive experience of ensuring compliance with data protection laws in a large and complex organisation that processes high volumes of sensitive personal data.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build consensus across diverse business areas and senior leadership teams.
• Experience of assessing risk, interpreting regulatory requirements and providing practical, business-focused advice that balances compliance obligations with operational needs.
• Experience of working in the energy industry / or a highly regulated environment.

About SSE

SSE's purpose is to be restless everyday until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

SSEN Distribution , part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses. Our team of more than 4,200 skilled engineers, customer service advisors and technical specialists keep customers connected to a safe, reliable supply of electricity while investing in and developing the flexible networks needed for our low carbon future.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

• Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships.
• Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service.
• Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] 01738 341814 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.