Senior Data Protection Manager

Reed Talent Solutions; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Talent Solutions is looking for a Senior Data Protection Manager to lead the stewardship of data governance and compliance frameworks. This role involves managing risks, ensuring adherence to UK and EU data protection laws, and fostering an organisational culture emphasized on data protection compliance. Benefits include a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, generous leave, and significant career development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays

Pension scheme with 2 to 1 contributions

Interest-free loan for season tickets

Cycle to work Scheme

Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs

Life assurance scheme

Paid volunteering (2 days a year)

Employee assistance programme (EAP)

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Data Protection Officer or within a DPO team.
• Demonstrated experience identifying data protection risks.
• Capability to mentor others in data protection compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of data protection frameworks and policies.
• Manage organisational data risks and compliance mechanisms.
• Engage with senior decision-makers on data protection matters.

Skills

Expert knowledge of UK and EU data protection laws

Strong understanding of emerging technologies

Excellent communication skills

Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills

Ability to manage multiple workstreams

Job description

Role OverviewThe Senior Data Protection Manager will report directly to Head of Governance and Data Protection. In this role, you will be responsible for:Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of data protection frameworks, policies, and standards.
• Manage organisational data risks and issues, coordinating with data owners to resolve or accept these risks.
• Provide strategic oversight of data protection and advocate for improved data protection risk management practices.
• Engage with key programmes from a data protection perspective and maintain effective relationships with senior decision–makers and influencers.
• Oversee all data protection compliance mechanisms, including data protection impact assessments, data subject rights requests, and data breach processes.
• Lead the Freedom of Information compliance, ensuring timely responses to requests and adherence to publication schedules.
• Conduct continuous assessments and health checks to monitor and ensure data protection compliance.
• Promote a culture of data protection compliance through employee training and awareness programs.
• Manage the data protection/information assurance software to support best practices.

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience. To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:Essential Experience & Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of UK and EU data protection laws (UK GDPR, DPA 2018) and information security best practices, ideally within the UK government or public sector.
• Proven experience supporting or working as a Data Protection Officer or within a DPO team.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence) and their compliance implications, with the ability to align data protection strategy to business goals.
• Demonstrated experience identifying data protection risks, conducting gap assessments, and implementing risk–based compliance frameworks and KPIs.
• Solid track record of delivering continuous improvements and managing sensitive or complex data protection projects.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, practical guidance for non–specialists.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing at senior, Executive, and Board levels.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively, and maintain momentum across projects.
• Strategic thinker with a good understanding of organisational context, partners, and stakeholders.
• Confident in taking ownership, making decisions, escalating appropriately, and constructively challenging existing practices.
• Capable of mentoring others, promoting adherence to policies, and fostering a culture of data protection compliance.

About UsThe Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We're not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• CaringWe care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• ConnectingWe will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• TransformingWe are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working EnvironmentBy fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to "bring their whole selves to work."Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women's health, men's health, ethnicity, and diversity.What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest–free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible WorkingAt MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non–contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.Career DevelopmentIn MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment