Senior Data Governance in Leeds

You will love this role if you are motivated by using information well to deliver real-world impact. This is a senior, influential role with the opportunity to shape how information is trusted, protected and used across the UK’s largest nature conservation organisation.

As Head of Information Governance, you will provide enterprise-wide leadership for information management, ensuring our information assets are compliant, well-governed and enable confident decision-making, regulatory assurance and conservation impact. You will set the strategic direction for information governance, lead organisational change, and work closely with digital, legal and operational colleagues to embed effective, future-ready approaches including the use of platforms such as Microsoft Purview.

You will lead a specialist team and work with colleagues across the organisation, from Board level to front-line delivery, building capability, accountability and confidence in how information is managed. If you are excited by complexity, collaboration and making governance work in practice, not just on paper, then this role offers a genuine opportunity to make a difference.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

• Proven experience of setting and leading an organisation-wide information governance strategy, aligning information management priorities with organisational objectives and operational needs.
• Proven experience of implementing and embedding enterprise information governance platforms, specifically Microsoft Purview, including configuration, optimisation and driving adoption.
• Demonstrated skills in designing and operating data and information governance controls, including retention, sensitivity labelling, access management, metadata and audit reporting, using a proportionate, risk-based approach.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective information governance frameworks, including policies, standards and assurance arrangements that support compliance, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Applied knowledge of information-related legislation and regulation, including the Freedom of Information Act and UK GDPR, with experience translating regulatory requirements into practical organisational processes.
• Experience ensuring information assets are discoverable, trusted and well-managed, through consistent metadata, taxonomy and stewardship practices across structured and unstructured information.
• Proven experience of leading, developing and supporting specialist teams, building capability, performance and an inclusive, positive team culture.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and work collaboratively with senior stakeholders, communicating complex governance or technical concepts clearly to non-specialist audiences.
• Track record of planning and delivering change or service improvement initiatives, managing priorities, risks, resources and budgets to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Experience building organisational understanding and capability in information management, including designing and delivering training, guidance or behaviour-change activity.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear assurance to senior leaders, including oversight of audits, regulatory reporting and engagement with internal and external assurance partners.
• Evidence of horizon-scanning and applying emerging best practice, standards and technologies in information governance to support future organisational needs.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 37.5 hours per week.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature's side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer.