Information & Governance & Data Protection Officer

Uttlesford District Council; Saffron Walden; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Uttlesford District Council is seeking an experienced Information Governance & Data Protection Officer to act as our statutory Data Protection Officer (DPO) and lead our Information Governance Team.

You will be the Council's lead adviser on UK GDPR, Data Protection, Freedom of Information (FOI) and Information Governance, ensuring compliance while helping embed a culture of "data protection by design" across the organisation. Closing date for completed applications is Monday 16 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, FOI, DSAR and EIR.
• Experience advising organisations on information governance and compliance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Experience developing policies, delivering training and managing compliance.
• Leadership experience and ability to work with senior stakeholders.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Council's statutory Data Protection Officer.
• Lead on GDPR, Data Protection and Information Governance compliance.
• Manage FOI, Environmental information regulations (EIR) requests and Data Subject Access Requests. (DSAR)
• Develop and maintain governance policies, procedures and records.
• Lead investigations into data breaches and compliance issues.
• Deliver training and advice to staff and managers.
• Manage and develop the Information Governance Team.

Skills

UK GDPR

FOI & EIR

Data Protection Act 2018

Communication & Influence

Training & Advisory

Leadership

Education

Relevant qualification in information governance

Job description

Uttlesford District Council is seeking an experienced Information Governance & Data Protection Officer to act as our statutory Data Protection Officer (DPO) and lead our Information Governance Team.

You will be the Council's lead adviser on UK GDPR, Data Protection, Freedom of Information (FOI) and Information Governance, ensuring compliance while helping embed a culture of "data protection by design" across the organisation.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Innovation and Commercialisation, you'll manage a team of three officers and work closely with senior leaders, councillors and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Your responsibilities include:

• Act as the Council's statutory Data Protection Officer.
• Lead on GDPR, Data Protection and Information Governance compliance.
• Manage FOI, Environmental information regulations (EIR) requests and Data Subject Access Requests. (DSAR)
• Develop and maintain governance policies, procedures and records.
• Lead investigations into data breaches and compliance issues.
• Deliver training and advice to staff and managers.
• Manage and develop the Information Governance Team.

Essential knowledge and experience necessary:

• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, FOI, DSAR and EIR.
• Experience advising organisations on information governance and compliance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Experience developing policies, delivering training and managing compliance.
• Leadership experience and the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Uttlesford District Council is an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a Fostering Friendly Employer and proud to support our Care Leavers and the Armed Forces Covenant. Anyone disclosing a disability or is a Care leaver or is a member of the Armed Forces community (Veteran/Service leaver, Reserve Forces, or their Spouses/Partners or Cadet Force Adult Volunteer) whose application meets the essential criteria for the post will be guaranteed an interview.

Closing date for completed applications is Monday 16 November 2026.