Information Governance Lead / Data Protection Officer

Location: Blended between office and home (England and Wales). Time in office negotiable.

Salary: £60,035 base salary per annum (plus £3,612 London allowance if applicable).

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

The role involves spearheading the national organisation's information governance strategy, ensuring full compliance with UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. This pivotal leadership role goes beyond oversight; you will drive the cultural shift necessary to embed accountability and responsible information handling into everyday practice. Leading a dedicated team, you will provide expert, risk-based guidance to senior stakeholders, manage external regulatory relationships with the ICO, and champion excellence in Freedom of Information and Records Management.

You are a pragmatic advocate, balancing legal integrity with the organisation’s mission. Proven expertise and qualification in the UK GDPR and UK Data Protection Act 2018, Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 with understanding of the legal and regulatory background pre-2018 and working knowledge of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) is required.

A track record of practical experience in applying data protection in a medium/large or complex organisation to support business objectives includes:

• The ability to present complex technical or legal information in a simple and appropriate way to suit different audiences.
• The ability to draw reasoned and clear conclusions from complex information and multiple competing factors.
• The ability to provide considered, proportionate and pragmatic solutions and recommendations.

Experience of building, embedding or improving an overall data protection framework across an organisation or leading a long-term strategy of cultural change around data protection is essential, including the ability to bring this alive and link it with the organisation's broader values.

Proven experience of operating and/or influencing at a senior level in a medium to large organisation, and of successful stakeholder management at all levels includes:

• Balancing competing demands, often under pressure of time.
• Maintaining productive relationships across functions.
• The ability and willingness to provide and receive challenges constructively and manage differences of opinion in a positive and productive way.

A good understanding of Freedom of Information legislation and records management and its role in an organisation is necessary.

Strong team leadership and people management skills, with experience of developing and motivating diverse teams, creating opportunities for skills development, closing disparities and promoting pathways for career progression are required.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is of strategic importance within the organisation and recognised as integral to all we do as a service. Central to pursuing our EDI mission is building diverse and inclusive teams in which everyone has a sense of belonging. We believe inclusion is a social justice issue - a principle that underpins our EDI work. To that end, we particularly welcome applications from people we would like to see better represented in our organisation and sector - people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people.

We follow the social model of disability. We will offer an interview to disabled candidates who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.

We're a flexible employer, so this role may suit anyone who’d prefer a flexible arrangement to help their work/life balance; many of our colleagues spend most of their time working remotely. Whilst we prefer a blended approach between a local office, if one is near you, and home, we're open to being flexible on location. Occasionally a role may require you to be based in a certain location; if that's the case it will be detailed in the advert or job description. This can be discussed in more detail during your interview.

The National Citizens Advice operates from offices in England and Wales, with 4 regional offices based in Cardiff, London, Birmingham and Leeds; therefore all successful applicants must be based within England or Wales. Please be aware that Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. Therefore the successful applicant must already possess the right to work in the UK or be able to secure the right to work in the UK independently.

We have been awarded the top charity in Third Sector's employer index, where it's recognised that Citizens Advice is an organisation that not only prioritises the people we serve but also values the wellbeing of its employees.