Senior Information Rights Advisor

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave (plus increases)

Hybrid working

Staff discounts portal

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Department for Transport in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Information Rights Advisor to support its data protection and information governance program. The role covers privacy, DPIAs, data sharing, and compliance across multiple business areas, with hybrid working in locations including Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds and Swansea.

The successful candidate will have expert knowledge of data protection law, experience in risk management and the ability to lead a small team and advise at all

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge and practical experience of data protection law and practices.
• Experience identifying, assessing and mitigating compliance risks.
• Independently leading a small team to deliver at pace.
• Excellent communicator to a range of stakeholders with eye for detail.
• Well-organised with ability to prioritise multiple demands on their time.
• Data Protection Practitioners Certificate (or equivalent).
• Freedom of Information Practitioner Certificate qualification.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Data Protection Officer in providing expert, timely, risk-based advice on DPIAs, notices, data sharing and processing contracts.
• Advocate for data protection by design and default and engage with project teams early in the design phase.
• Manage timely maintenance of departmental records to ensure accountability obligations.
• Risk-assess, record and escalate data breaches, advising the business on remediation steps.

Skills

Data protection

Education

Data Protection Practitioners Certificate

Freedom of Information Practitioner Certificate

Job description

473843 Senior Information Rights Advisor

Department for Transport

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 16th August 2026

Location: Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, Swansea (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary: £44,241 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Protect information. Influence decisions. Build public trust. Play a leading role in data protection, information rights and transparency across the Department for Transport. In this influential position, you'll use your expertise to shape policy, manage risk, drive compliance and help ensure the highest standards of information governance across the organisation.

Top Responsibilities

• Supporting the Data Protection Officer in carrying out their statutory tasks by providing expert, timely, risk-based advice to business areas and risk owners on DPIAs, privacy notices, data sharing, data processing contracts, overseas transfers and all other aspects of data protection compliance.
• Being an enthusiastic advocate for data protection by design and default and proactively engaging with project teams to ensure that data protection requirements are factored into the design of new solutions at the earliest stages.
• Managing the timely maintenance of departmental records to ensure compliance with our accountability obligations.
• Risk-assessing, recording and escalating data breaches, advising the business on steps to con

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Expert knowledge and practical experience of data protection law and practices.
• Experience of identifying, assessing and mitigating compliance risks
• Independently leading a small team to deliver at pace.
• Excellent communicator to a range of stakeholders at all levels of seniority with an eye for detail who can support their teams to handle and advise on complex issues.
• Well-organised and great at prioritising multiple demands on their time.
• You will have successfully obtained an industry-recognised Data Protection Practitioners Certificate
• You will have or be prepared to undertake a Freedom of Information practitioner certificate qualification.

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/certifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 16th August 2026