Senior Knowledge and Information Manager

Infected Blood Compensation Authority; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental compensation authority in Newcastle upon Tyne seeks a Senior Knowledge and Information Manager to lead the implementation of the Information Management Strategy and ensure compliance with data legislation. You will oversee knowledge management services, develop policies, and provide leadership to a team. Ideal candidates will have robust experience in information management, with a solid understanding of relevant laws. The role offers a salary of £47,258 along with a generous pension scheme and benefits including flexible working options.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working options

32.5 days of paid annual leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Senior Knowledge and Information Management role.
• Experience in developing and implementing information management strategies.
• Strong understanding of UK information management legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead IBCA's Information Management Strategy implementation.
• Develop Data Governance policies.
• Manage knowledge management services and digital platforms.
• Embed compliance frameworks across the organisation.
• Provide line management and support to Knowledge and Information Managers.

Skills

Information Management

Data Protection

Leadership

Policy Development

Education

Degree in Information Management or related field

Tools

Electronic Document and Records Management Systems (EDRMS)

Google Workspace

Job description

About IBCA

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is a new arm's-length body set up at unprecedented pace to administer compensation to people whose lives have been impacted by the infected blood scandal. IBCA will ensure payment is made in recognition of the wrongs experienced by those who have been infected by HIV, Hepatitis B or C, as well as those who love and care for them. They have been frustrated and distressed by the delays in achieving proper recognition, and we must help put this right. We are committed to putting the infected and affected blood community at the centre of every decision we make and every step we take to build our organisation to deliver compensation payments.

IBCA employees will be public servants. Successful applicants will be appointed directly into IBCA, on IBCA terms and conditions as a public servant and join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please note that the mission of IBCA means that it is likely to be operational for a period of approximately 5 to 7 years. When IBCA's work begins to wind down, IBCA employees will receive support and practical guidance to find a new role, whether in the Civil Service, another Arms Length Body (ALB), or an external employer.

Role Overview

The IBCA Data Governance team sits within the wider Data Directorate, and is staffed by leads for Data Protection, Knowledge and Information Management (KIM), and Information Rights and Disclosure Operations. The Data Protection strand enables IBCA to process personal data while assuring compliance with data protection legislation, and is led by IBCA's Data Protection Officer (DPO). The Disclosure Operations strand leads on providing responses to FOI requests, Subject Access Requests, and related correspondence relating to data subject rights and requests for information, and is led by the Information Rights and Disclosure Lead. This post reports to the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) strand, which is led by the Head of Knowledge and Information Management (KIM). KIM drives policy, standards, guidance and processes across the information lifecycle, to provide effective oversight on the creation, use, retention, archive, and disposal of organisational information, undertaking activities such as access control, and compliance monitoring. This applies across all systems used by IBCA, including but not limited to all Google Workspace products and any other communication, collaboration, project planning, tracking and management software, products and tools. The successful candidate will be appointed as a Senior Knowledge and Information Manager, operating within the critical Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) strand. This is a key leadership role responsible for protecting and managing IBCA's information holdings. You will work to ensure that staff across the organisation feel confident in their ability to handle organisational information safely, securely, and in compliance with all relevant legislation.

The three Data Governance strands (KIM, Data Protection, and Disclosure Operations) collaborate closely to provide effective oversight for IBCA. There is an expectation that work will flow between the strands as circumstances and business needs require. The successful postholder will work with the Head of KIM to strategically shape and develop the Knowledge and Information Management capability at IBCA. The top five responsibilities for this role include:

Responsibilities

• Strategic Implementation & Leadership: Lead the successful delivery of IBCA's Information Management Strategy, translating the ambitious vision into an achievable action plan to safeguard, exploit, and enhance organisational knowledge.
• Policy, Compliance, and Expert Guidance: Develop, implement, and maintain core Data Governance and KIM policies covering the full information lifecycle. You will provide expert advice on complex information management issues, such as setting retention and disposition schedules and implementing appropriate asset safeguarding controls.
• Digital Platform Management & Transformation: Drive the development of IBCA's knowledge management services. This includes guiding staff on the use of corporate workspaces (e.g., Google Workspace) and leading the full transformation lifecycle, including the migration of the corporate workspace to a new platform in 2026.
• Compliance Framework & Culture: Establish and embed a robust, cross‑organisational compliance framework (including identifying measurable Key Performance Indicators). You will create and deliver effective communications to foster a clear culture of good information handling across all teams.
• Team and Management Oversight: Provide effective line management for two HEO Knowledge and Information Managers, offering clear direction and support to deliver against departmental objectives. You will also deputise for the Head of Knowledge and Information Management as required.

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Essential Criteria

• Substantial, demonstrable experience in a Senior Knowledge and Information Management or Records Management role, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex KIM services.
• Demonstrable experience designing, developing and successfully implementing information management policies and/or strategies across an organisation.
• Expertise in applying and interpreting key UK information management legislation and regulations, including the UK Public Records Act, Data Protection Act/UK GDPR and Freedom of Information Act.
• Proven experience of effective line management and team leadership, providing clear direction and support to junior team members to deliver against departmental objectives.
• Deep technical understanding and practical experience in the administration, configuration and strategic management of Electronic Document and Records Management Systems (EDRMS) and collaboration platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, MS SharePoint).
• Ability to translate complex information management requirements and advice into clear, practical guidance for a wide range of stakeholders, from senior leaders to operational teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously, strategically prioritising workload to meet challenging deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• A qualification in a relevant field, including Information Management, Archives and Records Management, or Digital Curation.
• Experience of planning and successfully delivering the migration of an organisational corporate workspace/EDRMS to a new provider.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary of £47,258.
• £13,690 contributed towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Premium allowance paid monthly after probation.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• Available Civil Service Pension providing an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• 32.5 days of paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Family friendly policies to support you and your everyday responsibilities.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave, up to 12 months shared parental leave.

Working Conditions and Visa

Recent changes in skilled worker visa eligibility mean that a Skilled Worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a Home Office‑approved sponsor. From 22 July 2025, the job must normally be skilled to level 6 (graduate level) on the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland, or the equivalent level in Wales or Scotland, or be included on either the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. Please be aware that if the role is not eligible for a skilled worker visa that we will be unable to provide sponsorship.

Application Process

• This vacancy is using Success Profiles. It will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
• As part of your application you will be required to provide a CV setting out your career history and qualifications highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
• You will also be required to provide a Statement of Suitability (750 words max). Please use your statement to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.
• Your CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the 'Person Specification' section of the job advert.
• If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift may be conducted using your CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
• If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an interview where you will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.

Timeline

Expected sift date – w/c 5th January 2025.

Expected interview date/s – w/c 19th January 2025.

Interview location – Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non‑disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.