Data Management Lead in Northampton

The Data Management Lead is responsible for overseeing and improving Portman’s data governance framework, data management controls and data security posture. This role will lead the data management group, review and challenge existing security and data controls, and be accountable for implementing agreed improvements across systems, processes, and suppliers. The ideal candidate will act as a subject matter expert on data management including security and data risk, and be able to provide pragmatic, risk-based advice rather than theoretical guidance. The role requires strong practical experience in data management including security and cybersecurity, combined with the ability to operate across technology, compliance, and marketing/commercial teams. A secondary responsibility of the role is to support the safe acquisition and use of third-party data, including prospecting and marketing datasets.

Responsibilities

• Review, assess, and continuously improve data security controls across systems, platforms, and suppliers.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place for:

• Data access and permissions
• Data storage, transmission, and retention
• Encryption, identity, and authentication

Requirements

• Typically 5+ years’ relevant experience in data management including data security, information security, or related roles, with demonstrable ownership of security and data control implementation.
• Experience reviewing, designing, or improving data security controls across systems and platforms.
• Demonstrable experience implementing security or data control changes, not just defining policy.
• Strong understanding of the data lifecycle (collection, storage, use, sharing, retention, disposal).
• Practical knowledge of common cyber threats (e.g. phishing, credential compromise, data exfiltration, insider risk) and appropriate mitigating controls.
• Experience assessing third-party risk, including suppliers, data providers, or technology partners.
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, PECR and data protection principles, with experience applying them pragmatically.
• Ability to challenge technical and non-technical stakeholders on data and security risks.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working across Technical, Compliance, and Commercial teams.
• Experience producing clear risk reporting for senior management or governance groups.
• Experience in a regulated environment (e.g. financial services, professional services, regulated technology).
• Hands-on cybersecurity background or close working relationship with security teams.
• Experience supporting or responding to security incidents involving data.
• Experience procuring or assessing third-party datasets, including prospecting or marketing data.
• Relevant certifications (e.g. CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001, or equivalent) - beneficial but not essential.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise and handle multiple tasks at any given time in a fast-paced environment.
• Pro-active and enthusiastic with a can-do attitude.
• Good commercial acumen.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as being a team player.

Competitive basic salary and annual bonus; Vibrant, high-spec office environment; Enhanced annual leave, increasing with length of service; Salary sacrifice pension; Quarterly all-staff events and dynamic culture.

Portman Finance Group was established in 2007 to provide UK SMEs with access to a range of finance options under one roof. We have now arranged over £1.5 billion in funding for over 15,000 companies. Portman secure finance for businesses of all sizes via our own lending and panel of over 40 partners. We offer flexible payment terms, reducing large initial outlays and protecting cash-flow, and are one of the largest privately owned Broker-Lenders in the UK.

Please note that as part of the recruitment process a criminal records check/credit history check will be carried out by an authorised third party.