Data Protection Officer in Suffolk

Salary: £41,191 per annum

Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full time. Monday - Friday. 37 hours per week

Location: Ipswich/Hybrid (minimum of 2 days a week in the office) (Due to the on‑site requirements and commitments of this role, applicants must be able to attend our Ipswich office at short notice.)

At Orwell, we're driven by a simple belief: Together we make a difference. As our Data Protection Officer, you'll play a pivotal role in safeguarding the personal data of our customers, colleagues and partners, ensuring we continue to deliver housing, care and support services with integrity and trust at our core. This is a high‑impact role where you will act as Orwell's named DPO under UK GDPR, providing independent, expert advice across the organisation. You'll work closely with our Executive Team, Leadership Team, IT colleagues and operational services to embed a strong culture of data protection by design and default.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading Orwell's data protection and information governance function, ensuring compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and ICO requirements.
• Providing independent advice, assurance and practical guidance to colleagues at all levels.
• Overseeing key areas such as DPIAs, data breach management, Subject Access Requests, third‑party processor due diligence and information governance frameworks.
• Supporting digital and IT projects to ensure privacy is built in from the start.
• Delivering training, raising awareness and championing best practice across the organisation.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for the ICO and providing regular assurance reporting to senior leaders and the Board.

What we're looking for

• Strong expertise in data protection, ideally with experience as a DPO or senior data protection specialist in a regulated environment.
• A deep understanding of UK GDPR, information governance principles and risk management, along with the confidence to advise senior leaders and influence organisational culture.
• A recognised data protection qualification is essential, and experience within housing, care or the wider not‑for‑profit sector would be an advantage.

Why join Orwell?

You'll be part of an organisation that genuinely puts people first - our customers, our communities and our colleagues. You'll have the autonomy to shape our data protection approach, the support of a collaborative leadership team and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. Alongside our inclusive culture and commitment to our PACE values, we offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• 22 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
• Reward and recognition awards
• Cashback Health plan
• Access to Blue Light Card - membership fees apply
• Ongoing training and development opportunities to progress in your role through the Orwell Academy
• Wellbeing programme

Closing date for applications: 12th June

Interviews: 17th June

Before applying… Orwell is committed to safeguarding, safer employment practices and upholding the principles of empowerment. Please note Orwell Housing Association does not provide visa sponsorship. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. You will be required to provide the relevant right to work documentation if successfully appointed to the role.

Orwell is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We believe in creating an accessible and supportive environment, where every team member can thrive and contribute. Join us in our commitment to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and empowers all individuals to reach their full potential. We actively welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure equal access and opportunity for all.

We know that diverse teams drive innovation and deliver better outcomes. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If you're excited about this opportunity but don't meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply anyway. Your unique experiences, perspectives, skills and most importantly your alignment with our culture and values could be exactly what we're looking for.

If there is anything that might prevent you from applying for one of our roles, we want to help remove that barrier. Please contact our Talent team by calling 01473 228782 or emailing work@orwell-housing.co.uk.