Data Protection Officer - Fixed Term (10-12 months) in High Wycombe

This role is responsible for maintaining and updating legally required data protection records across the organisation and leading key compliance processes, including data breaches, Subject Access Requests, and STAIRs. You will develop and embed data protection policies, procedures and assessments, while working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to support the Record of Processing Activities (RoPA) data mapping exercise and establish a sustainable process to keep it updated. You will also review and deliver training, including regular in-house workshops, and identify software solutions that improve both efficiency and compliance.

Working across the business, you will ensure that an appropriate legal basis for processing data is clearly identified and applied, and collaborate with the Data Governance team to address data retention issues, putting in place robust and well-documented erasure processes. You will work with the Internal Audit Senior Specialist to develop periodic checks to test and verify that data is processed, stored and deleted in line with requirements. In addition, you will manage the Subject Access Request process end-to-end, support the identification of a suitable SAR system, review and advise on data sharing agreements, and take responsibility for managing the STAIRs process and procedures from October 2026.

Added extras

Flexible and adaptable in a changing environment, you are a trusted professional who acts with integrity and sound judgement. You are approachable and confident, able to provide support while constructively challenging decisions where appropriate, and are committed to achieving both individual success and wider organisational goals.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Educated to graduate level with a relevant GDPR qualification, you will bring experience of implementing UK GDPR compliance within an organisational setting, alongside a strong understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, including compliance and monitoring. You will be confident in applying best practice in a practical, business-focused way to support effective data protection across the organisation.

You will have excellent verbal, written and presentation skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders, executives and customers. Confident, independent and self-motivated, you will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, alongside a clear commitment to our aims, ambitions and the wider social housing sector.

35-hour week pilot

Since June 2024 we have been piloting a change to our normal full-time, 37-hour 5-day week. We have been piloting a shorter 35-hour week (for the same pay as before) where staff work a full day Monday to Thursday, and finish the working week at 1pm every Friday. It’s just a pilot at this stage while we evaluate its impact on our staff, our tenants, and the service we provide, but if successful we will consider a permanent move to this way of working in 2026.

In addition to this, hybrid working is expected with 2 to 3 days a week in our modern, bright and welcoming office with dedicated parking.