Data Protection Manager in Glasgow

Overview Are you passionate about safeguarding personal data and ensuring organisations uphold the highest standards of information governance? Social Security Scotland’s Data Protection and Information Governance team is looking for a dedicated Data Protection Manager to play a vital role in maintaining public trust and ensuring compliance across our organisation.
Based in Dundee or Glasgow, you will be part of a collaborative team committed to high standards and continuous professional development. This is an exciting opportunity to influence data protection practices and support organisational excellence in a fast-paced, impactful setting.
As a key member of our Data Protection and Information Governance team within the Data Office, you will lead on complex and sensitive issues related to data protection and governance. Your leadership will support our commitment to responsible data handling, risk management, and compliance, helping shape the organisation’s approach to data protection by design. You will also contribute to organisational learning and improvement by representing our interests in various forums and fostering a culture of best practice.
Experience & Leadership Experience & Expertise : Demonstrable experience in completing DPIAs and managing data sharing agreements. Skilled in raising and discussing information risks, making informed recommendations, and influencing actions to mitigate risks.
Leadership & Communication : A confident leader who has line management experience and the ability to lead others, handle challenge, and navigate differing views while ensuring data protection requirements are understood and upheld.
Analytical & Influential : Competent in analysing information risks and communicating complex issues clearly to stakeholders at all levels, including senior management.
Responsibilities Data Protection Governance & Risk Management
Lead the implementation and delivery of our data protection by design principles and data sharing strategies.
Oversee the production, maintenance, and review of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), ensuring they are comprehensive and up-to-date.
Manage the creation, review, and maintenance of data sharing agreements with external partners such as DWP and HMRC.
Ensure oversight of the data protection governance workload and backlog, aligning priority tasks with organisational objectives to effectively manage resources and mitigate risks.
Provide expert advice on complex data protection issues across Social Security Scotland, particularly to senior staff.
Support the development of policies and best practices in data protection and information governance.
Stakeholder Engagement & External Relationships Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.
Advise on data protection and information risk, escalating issues to the Data Protection Officer and senior leadership as appropriate.
Support external data sharing requests received from other departments, working closely with the wider Data Services branch.
Ensure contractual arrangements with suppliers meet data protection standards and requirements.
Leadership & Professional Development Line manage at least two Senior Data Protection Practitioners, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
Lead on issues of particular complexity and sensitivity, using your knowledge and experience to build team capability.
Work collaboratively with the Data Protection Officer and other managers to set objectives, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement based on risk assessments, breach reports, and assurance findings.
Qualifications You must have, or be willing to work towards, an approved accreditation such as the British Computer Society Data Protection Practitioner Certificate or relevant equivalent.
Experience Proven experience in leading or supporting the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and managing data sharing agreements with external partners. Ability to oversee their production, maintenance, and review processes to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
Demonstrable experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Skilled in advising on data protection and information risks, supporting external data sharing requests, and ensuring contractual arrangements with suppliers meet data protection standards.
Experience of line managing or leading teams, with the ability to support, develop, and motivate staff. Proven track record of leading on complex or sensitive issues, providing guidance and professional development to team members, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
Success Profiles & Behaviours Success Profiles : We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.
Changing and Improving (Level 4)
Seeing the Big Picture (Level 4)
Delivering at Pace (Level 4)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.
How to Apply Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words ). Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Experience and Behaviours required for the role as outlined in the Success Profiles above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that you’ve done that showcase your relevant experience.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the CV and Supporting Statement based on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who successfully pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Assessment. The interview and assessment will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert. Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Assessment stage will receive full details of the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used. We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
Information Session
We would like to invite you to a candidate information session on Friday 13th February at 1-2pm.
The Session Will Include
About Social Security Scotland
The Data Protection Manager role and team
Our recruitment process
Q&A with the hiring manager
Please join us using the link below to find out more about us and the role and how to make a great application.
Join the meeting
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 23rd February 2026
Interview – w/c 9th March 2026
Location – In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow
Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 9 months.
About Us Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security Checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality & Accessibility Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Right to Work in the UK: Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice on Gov.UK – Skilled Worker visa: Overview – GOV.UK
Further Information
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade. Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint by contacting Social Security Scotland at in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via
Apply before 19th February 2026 at 23:55
Contact Name – Resourcing Team
Contact Email –
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