Senior Data Compliance Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council; Oldbury; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Training and development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee benefits package

Job summary

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a Senior Data Compliance Officer to lead FOI, EIR and SAR processes, and to advise on GDPR, DPIAs and data sharing with stakeholders across the council. You will investigate data breaches, prepare ICO responses and develop junior staff.

The role offers flexible, hybrid working and opportunities for professional development within a large public sector body. A strong background in information governance and data protection is essential.

Qualifications

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Professional qualifications in Data Protection, Information Rights or Investigations (desirable).
• Significant experience of working within Information Governance and Data Protection.
• Strong understanding of GDPR, Data Protection legislation, Freedom of Information legislation and wider Information Governance principles.
• Experience of conducting investigations and managing complex cases; advising senior managers and stakeholders on compliance matters.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and report-writing skills.
• Ability to explain complex legislation to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of supervising staff and allocating workloads; collaborative approach and commitment to high-quality public services.

Responsibilities

• Lead on FOI, EIR and SAR processes and manage data breaches.
• Advise on GDPR compliance, data sharing agreements, privacy notices and DPIAs.
• Prepare responses to ICO and conduct investigations with detailed reporting.
• Develop and mentor junior team members; deliver training on information governance across the Council.

Skills

FOI

EIR

SAR

GDPR

Data Protection Act 2018

DPIAs

Privacy notices

Data sharing agreements

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Education

Degree-level qualification

Professional qualifications in Data Protection or Investigations

Job description

Are you an experienced information governance professional looking to make a real impact across a large and complex public sector organisation?

We are seeking a highly motivated and knowledgeable Senior Data Compliance Officer to join our Registration and Data Compliance Service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the Council meets its statutory obligations under data protection, freedom of information and information rights legislation, while helping to shape the future of information governance across the organisation.

About the Role

• As Senior Data Compliance Officer, you will lead on a diverse and challenging portfolio of work, including:
• Managing and overseeing Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and Subject Access Request (SAR) processes. Investigating and managing data breaches across the Council.
• Providing expert advice on GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 compliance, data sharing agreements, privacy notices and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Supporting governance arrangements relating to emerging technologies, including AI-related privacy risks and automated decision-making.
• Preparing responses to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Conducting investigations and producing detailed reports and recommendations.
• Supporting and developing junior members of the team.
• Delivering training and promoting best practice in information governance across the organisation.
• Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, partner organisations and external stakeholders.

About You

We're looking for a confident and experienced professional who can combine technical expertise with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

You will ideally have:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Professional qualifications in Data Protection, Information Rights or Investigations (desirable).
• Significant experience of working within Information Governance and Data Protection.
• A strong understanding of GDPR, Data Protection legislation, Freedom of Information legislation and wider Information Governance principles.
• Experience of conducting investigations and managing complex cases. Experience of advising senior managers and stakeholders on compliance matters.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and report-writing skills.
• The ability to explain complex legislation to a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of supervising staff and allocating workloads. A collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering high-quality public services.

What We Offer

In return, we offer:

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements. A supportive and collaborative team environment. Opportunities for professional development and further training. The chance to influence strategic information governance across the Council. Local Government Pension Scheme and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of the Council's information governance agenda. You'll help protect the information rights of residents, support organisational improvement and contribute to the effective delivery of services across the borough. If you are passionate about data protection, governance and public service, we'd love to hear from you

Sandwell Council welcomes applications from Armed Forces veterans and values the transferable skills and experience they bring. Under our Veterans’ Guaranteed Interview Scheme, eligible veterans who demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered under the scheme.