Lead Data Governance Manager

Government Recruitment Service; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking a Lead Data Governance Manager in York to drive cross‑organisational data governance for the PSR TL&G programme. You will collaborate with Cabinet Office Data Protection and Public Digital to implement privacy‑first frameworks, policies, and standards, while managing data risks and infrastructure across central and local government partners.

The role requires framing governance principles, engaging senior stakeholders, and supporting the Grow team to

Responsibilities

• Ensure adoption and implementation of cross-organisational data governance framework, working with Cabinet Office Data Protection team and Public Digital.
• Develop, implement and manage data governance frameworks, policies, standards and agreements with stakeholders.
• Set principles for a data privacy-first approach, embedding data protection and minimising data risk.
• Establish and oversee the programme’s data infrastructure.
• Understand and manage the programme’s data risks and issues.
• Explore creative solutions to data governance issues meeting Cabinet Office standards.
• Ensure data governance issues are understood by senior staff and the Grow team.
• Support the Grow team to understand good data practices and scope cross-government data governance improvements.

Job description

The Public Sector Reform Test, Learn and Grow (PSR TL&G) team is at the heart of the UK government’s initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. With the £100 million PSR Innovation Fund, our team collaborates with local authorities and government departments across the United Kingdom and with the Devolved Governments to design, test, and grow innovative solutions that enhance public service outcomes. By employing a ‘Test & Learn’ approach, we focus on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services. Our work involves piloting foundational programmes and place-based initiatives to accelerate mission delivery, support preventative measures, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation in public services.

The TLG programme uses place-based projects to prototype solutions to complex policy issues (these are known as ‘accelerators’). Examples of some of the accelerators in our portfolio include ‘violence against women and girls’ in Islington, ‘special educational needs and disabilities’ in Nottingham and Sandwell, ‘economic inactivity’ in Wakefield, and ‘neighbourhood health’ in Plymouth and Liverpool.

The ‘Grow’ element of the programme also aims to change the conditions across government so that it’s easier to work in a ‘test & learn’ way, as well as building the energy, networks and demand to sustain this work after the programme ends.

Main responsibilities

You will:

• Ensure the adoption and implementation of the programme’s cross-organisational data governance framework, working closely with the Cabinet Office Data Protection team and our delivery partner–the transformation consultancy Public Digital (PD),
• Develop, implement and manage additional data governance frameworks, policies, standards and agreements for work with our other stakeholders (including other central government departments, local government partners, other public sector bodies, and occasional private sector or third sector organisations),
• Set principles for a data privacy-first approach, ensuring that data protection is embedded in the programme’s work and data risk is minimised,
• Establish and oversee the programme’s data infrastructure,
• Be responsible for understanding and managing the programme’s data risks and issues,
• Explore creative solutions to data governance issues that meet Cabinet Office’s policies and standards,
• Ensure that data governance issues are understood by seniors in the programme and by the Grow part of the TLG team,
• Support the Grow part of the TLG team to understand good data practices established within our programme, identify opportunities to improve cross-government data governance and protection policy, and scope possible solutions where technical expertise is needed.

Lead Data Governance Manager

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £59,207 to £70,958 a year Hours: Full-time Location: York Job type: Temporary Posting date: 19 Oct 2026 Closing date: 2 Nov 2026

Summary

The Public Sector Reform Test, Learn and Grow (PSR TL&G) team is at the heart of the UK government’s initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. With the £100 million PSR Innovation Fund, our team collaborates with local authorities and government departments across the United Kingdom and with the Devolved Governments to design, test, and grow innovative solutions that enhance public service outcomes. By employing a ‘Test & Learn’ approach, we focus on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services. Our work involves piloting foundational programmes and place-based initiatives to accelerate mission delivery, support preventative measures, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation in public services.

The TLG programme uses place-based projects to prototype solutions to complex policy issues (these are known as ‘accelerators’). Examples of some of the accelerators in our portfolio include ‘violence against women and girls’ in Islington, ‘special educational needs and disabilities’ in Nottingham and Sandwell, ‘economic inactivity’ in Wakefield, and ‘neighbourhood health’ in Plymouth and Liverpool.

The ‘Grow’ element of the programme also aims to change the conditions across government so that it’s easier to work in a ‘test & learn’ way, as well as building the energy, networks and demand to sustain this work after the programme ends.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.