At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Data Protection Office and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Company: Join the Student Loans Company, a government-owned organisation dedicated to supporting students.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, flexible working options, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data protection while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of data protection and experience in managing high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 61950 - 72952 £ per year.
Salary: £61,950.00 - £72,952.00 GBP Annual
Location: Glasgow, Darlington or Llandudno
Pension: A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Advert Closing Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
Student Loans Company is a non-profit making Government-owned organisation to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK. Since 1989, we have enabled our customers to invest in their futures by delivering secure, accurate and efficient assessment, payment and repayment services.
Our Values
- Honesty: We act with integrity and transparency, sharing information openly and addressing challenges with courage.
- Empowerment: We enable people to take initiative, make impactful decisions, and continuously learn and grow.
- Accountability: We deliver on commitments, own our successes and mistakes, and strive for quality outcomes.
- Respect: We value diverse perspectives, actively listen, and create an inclusive environment where everyone belongs.
- Trust: We collaborate across teams, build dependable relationships, and work as one to deliver for our customers.
These values are more than words—they guide our decisions, shape our collaborations, and strengthen our impact on the students we serve.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Senior Manager to lead our Data Protection Office function within Assurance Services, providing leadership in Information/Data Governance and Data Protection Compliance, and ensuring adherence to Legal, Regulatory and Internal Policy requirements across the organisation. This is a highly visible role, working closely with stakeholders across Operations, Technology and Security, Corporate Services, People, Risk and Internal Audit, to apply subject matter expertise, influence decision-making, highlight risks and drive effective Governance outcomes.
You’ll motivate and develop a team of Data Protection professionals, including setting objectives, conducting regular 1:1s, performance reviews and coaching to build capability, resilience and drive high performance. Please note that SLC operate a hybrid working environment, with a minimum of 2 days in the office. This role has a mandatory requirement for Wednesday to be one of your in office days.
What You Bring:
- Experience of managing/leading a high performing team
- Strong Data Protection knowledge, including experience of Audit activity, Risk Management and Information/Data Governance frameworks, with the ability to oversee their consistent application across business areas
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence to influence at a senior management level and represent the Data Protection Office in key meetings/forums
- Ability to identify and communicate process improvements, policy development and supporting documentation/processes
- Works independently within their remit, trusting own judgment and with confidence in challenging situations
- Ability to interpret complex Regulatory, policy and control requirements, translating these into clear direction and guidance for delivery across business areas
- Skilled in Risk identification, assessment and prioritisation, acting as a senior escalation point and ensuring appropriate mitigation/risk acceptance actions are in place
- Strong analytical and critical thinking capability, able to navigate ambiguity and assess impacts across interconnected processes, Risks and Controls
- Strong attention to detail and professional judgement, enabling effective oversight of multiple priorities and informed decision-making through others
- Recognised Data Protection qualification eg. CIPP-E or Certified GDPR Foundation and Practitioner
- Experience of people management in a relevant subject matter Governance/Compliance role, in ensuring adherence to Regulatory requirements/standards
- Experience of being a confident communicator
- Experience in developing and implementing relevant subject matter policies and procedures
- Experience in applying risk management principles
- Experience of data breach investigation case work and being a SME in incident response
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a fast-paced environment, providing leadership and authoritative professional opinion in a timely manner.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays
- Option to buy/sell annual leave
- Flexi-time and enhanced flexible working options available
- Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme
- Life insurance cover for 4 x annual salary
- Enhanced company sick pay and family leave including maternity, paternity and adoption
- Contributory lifestyle benefit options including discounts at hundreds of retailers, cycle to work scheme, access to the Civil Service Sports and Leisure Club for discounted gym memberships, and an optional dental insurance scheme
To find out what’s it’s like to work at Student Loans Company click here SLC Careers
The Legal Bits
We’ll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some background checks we need to complete before you can start with us. This will include employment history, criminal record check, credit reference check and fraud check.
SLC are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are inclusive for all candidates and will make reasonable adjustments for those who consider themselves to have a disability or long-term condition in line with the Equality Act 2010. Our application process provides candidates with the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments but if you would like to discuss this in more detail, please email ask_recruitment@slc.co.uk.
Information Assurance Manager (Data Protection) in Glasgow employer: Student Loans Company
At Student Loans Company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development through our Career Pathways programme, generous benefits including a Civil Service pension, flexible working options, and a focus on work-life balance, we ensure that our team members in Glasgow, Darlington, or Llandudno can unlock their full potential while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Assurance Manager (Data Protection) in Glasgow
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Student Loans Company looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Information Assurance Manager (Data Protection) in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Student Loans Company. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Student Loans Company
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Student Loans Company’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
