Information Governance Officer (12 Month FTC)

Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc is seeking an Information Governance Officer in the UK to join our Information Governance team on a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract. You will deliver expert guidance on data protection and manage compliance for our customers.

The role requires strong communication, time management and technical skills, with travel to client sites as needed. The ideal candidate will hold a GDPR Practitioner Certificate and have experience applying PECR within the not-for-profit

Qualifications

• Experience in data protection and governance in the not-for-profit sector.
• Ability to carry out DPIAs and advise on risk mitigation.
• Experience building and updating information governance policies and procedures.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and reducing risk.
• Developing and maintaining policies and procedures; identifying improvements.
• Raise awareness of Information Governance internally and with clients.
• Provide information governance support and advise on complex data protection issues.
• Deliver data protection training to staff and customers.
• Assist with investigation of personal data breaches.
• Maintain Information Governance documentation and update processes.
• Stay updated on data legislation and communicate to the business.
• Support handling of individual rights requests, including Subject Access.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Time management

Not-for-profit sector

Data protection

DPIAs

Stakeholder management

Travel to sites

AI data protection

Education

GDPR Practitioner Certificate

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

We are seeking to recruit an Information Governance Officer to strengthen our Information Governance team. As a member of the team, the emphasis will be on delivering advice on data protection legislation and managing data protection compliance for our customers.

This is an exciting full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity to join our team and make a meaningful impact. You’ll have the opportunity to take on a key role, build valuable experience and contribute to an exciting period of growth and development within the organisation.

The Information Governance Officer will take responsibility for ensuring documentation is completed to a high quality and supporting the Information Security Consultants as a dedicated Microsoft Security Subject Matter Expert. This role would suit a highly competent individual with strong communication, time management & technical skills.

Amongst other task, you will be responsible for:

• Completing Data Protection Impact Assessments and identifying ways to minimise and eliminate risk.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement.
• Raise awareness and profile of Information Governance internally and with our clients.
• Provide information governance support to our customers and advising on complex data protection issues.
• Provide data protection training to both internal staff and our customers.
• Assist with the investigation of personal data breaches.
• Working on all Information Governance documentation including Policy and Procedure reviews and documenting changes to processes.
• Keep up to date on news, best practice and changes to information legislation then communicate to the business where necessary.
• Supporting the completion of individual rights requests, including Subject Access.

Key Skills:

• Attention to fine detail in all aspects of work including documentation of work undertaken
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic working environment and manage conflicting priorities to achieve deadlines
• Excellent communication skills
• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent time management skills
• In depth knowledge of data protection legislation and its application within the not-for-profit sector
• A strong understanding on the application of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) within the not-for-profit sector
• To be able to travel to various customer sites as and when required
• Prior experience working with not-for-profit organisations
• Documenting data protection impact assessments (DPIAs) and advising organisations on data protection risks
• Experience with data subject rights, particularly Subject Access, including reviewing and redacting information using Adobe Acrobat

The ideal candidate will have experience and/or certification in the following areas;

• Hold a data protection qualification (i.e. GDPR Practitioner Certificate)
• An understanding of the deployment of cookies and tracking technology
• An understanding on how data protection applies to artificial intelligence

Why Academia?

At Academia, we are redefining the landscape of IT services across education, business, public sector and nonprofit sectors. As an innovative and rapidly expanding technology company, we’re not just a supplier—we’re a trusted partner to thousands of clients nationwide.

With over 20 years of expertise, double-digit growth, a team of 300+ professionals and revenues exceeding £150 million in FY26, we’ve earned a reputation as a top-tier IT solutions provider. Our dedication has been recognised with prestigious industry accolades, including the coveted CRN Reseller of the Year award.

Our ethos is simple: by delivering outstanding technology and ensuring it works seamlessly, we empower our clients to maximise their tech investments. Their IT success is our business.

We foster a culture rooted in our people, teamwork, innovation, integrity, ambition and a commitment to exceptional customer service. Backed by Strive Capital since 2020, we’re continuously expanding, exploring new frontiers with a strong financial and strategic foundation.

Our dedicated Lifecycle Services division exemplifies our promise to sustainability, offering comprehensive IT lifecycle solutions that reduce environmental impact.

At Academia, you’ll find more than just a job—you’ll find an opportunity to be part of one of the UK’s most exciting tech success stories. If you’re passionate about technology, eager to make an impact and ready to grow with a dynamic, supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information on opportunities with Academia, visit our website.

Heres a sneak peak at some of our employee benefits..

• Gymmembershipcontribution
• HealthCash Plan
• Increasedannualleave withlength ofservice
• Free annual leave on your birthday
• Length of service bonus
• Free Will Writing service
• And more!