Information Governance Officer

Pendle Borough Council; Nelson; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Up to 31 days annual leave

Flexible contracts: 2-3 days in office

Local Government Pension Scheme

Option to buy extra annual leave

Cycle to Work

Vivup discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Pendle Borough Council seeks an Information Governance Officer to ensure compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and FOI legislation. You will promote best practices and provide guidance across the organisation.

The role focuses on handling FOI/SAR requests, maintaining DPIAs, and supporting governance with staff training, audits, and policy implementation. Flexible working arrangements are available within a 22.5-hour week.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and FOI legislation.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise.
• Strong communication skills for stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Act as council’s subject matter expert on data protection and information governance.
• Manage and respond to FOI and SARs within statutory timescales.
• Maintain and update Information Asset Register and DPIAs.
• Provide advice and training on information governance policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance and assist with audits; report findings to senior management.
• Support development and implementation of data security and retention policies.
• Assist with corporate governance compliance.

Skills

UK GDPR knowledge

Organisational skills

Stakeholder communication

Confidentiality

FOI handling

Tools

Information Asset Register

DPIAs

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Information Governance Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the council meets its statutory obligations around data protection, freedom of information, and records management. You will be responsible for supporting compliance with legislation such as the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and Freedom of Information Act, while promoting best practice in information governance across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the council’s subject matter expert on data protection and information governance.
• Manage and respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs) within statutory timescales.
• Maintain and update the council’s Information Asset Register and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Provide advice and training to staff on information governance policies and procedures.
• Monitor compliance and assist with audits, reporting findings to senior management.
• Support the development and implementation of policies relating to data security and retention.
• Assist with corporate governance compliance.

About You

• Strong understanding of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act, and FOI legislation.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.

This post is offered on a 22.5 hour per week basis. We are committed to supporting flexible working and, where operationally possible, the successful candidate will be able to agree a working pattern that suits their individual circumstances and work-life balance needs.

Pendle is in Lancashire’s scenic Pennines, close to the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, and Manchester.

Benefits

• Flexible working, including no set core hours, up to 2 flexi days per month, and compressed hours.
• Up to 31 days annual leave.
• Flexible contracts requiring 2-3 days in the office each week (more if needed), so you should live within commuting distance of Nelson, Lancashire.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Option to buy extra annual leave.
• Cycle to Work, home tech, and car salary sacrifice schemes.
• Discounts at major retailers via the Vivup programme.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.

Employment Details

Company: Pendle Borough Council. Salary: £24,594 to £26,239 a year. Hours: Part-time. Location: Nelson, BB9 7LG. Working pattern: Hybrid - 3 days remote. Job type: Permanent. Posting date: 2 Nov 2026. Closing date: 15 Nov 2026.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on any basis, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Please note: we are unable to support visa sponsorship for this post as the occupation code for the role is not one that is eligible for a skilled worker visa.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.