Salary: 61,950.00 - 72,952.00 GBP
Annual Pension: A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. Please refer to the Civil Service Pensions website for more information.
Type: Full time
**Please note: The advert will close at 11:59PM the night before the listed closing date.**
About the Role
Senior Manager – Data Protection Office (Assurance Services)
Lead the Data Protection Office function, providing leadership in Information/Data Governance and Data Protection Compliance. Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory and internal policy requirements across the organisation. Work closely with stakeholders across Operations, Technology and Security, Corporate Services, People, Risk and Internal Audit to influence decision‑making, highlight risks and drive effective governance outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Motivate and develop a team of Data Protection professionals, setting objectives, conducting regular 1:1s, performance reviews and coaching.
- Oversee the application of Audit activity, Risk Management and Information/Data Governance frameworks across business areas.
- Represent the Data Protection Office in key meetings and forums, influencing senior management.
- Identify and communicate process improvements, policy development and supporting documentation/processes.
- Act as a senior escalation point for risk identification, assessment and prioritisation, ensuring mitigation or risk acceptance actions are in place.
- Interpret complex regulatory, policy and control requirements and translate these into clear direction for delivery across business areas.
- Lead data breach investigation case work and act as a subject matter expert in incident response.
- Provide leadership across organisational boundaries in a fast‑paced environment, delivering authoritative professional opinion in a timely manner.
What You Bring
- Experience managing/leading a high‑performing team.
- Strong Data Protection knowledge, including audit activity and governance frameworks.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence to influence at a senior level.
- Ability to identify and communicate process improvements and develop policy documentation.
- Independent judgement, confidence in challenging situations and ability to work autonomously.
- Understanding of regulatory, policy and control requirements, translating them into clear guidance.
- Risk identification, assessment and prioritisation skills, acting as a senior escalation point.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking capability, navigating ambiguity and assessing impacts across interconnected processes.
- Attention to detail and professional judgement for effective oversight of multiple priorities.
- Recognised Data Protection qualification (e.g. CIPP‑E or Certified GDPR Foundation and Practitioner).
- Experience of people management in a governance/compliance role.
- Experience developing and implementing subject‑matter policies and procedures.
- Experience applying risk management principles and data breach investigation case work.
- Experience working across organisational boundaries in a fast‑paced environment.
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× annual salary.
- Enhanced company sick pay and family leave including maternity, paternity and adoption.
- Contributory lifestyle benefit options (discounts at retailers, cycle‑to‑work scheme, access to Civil Service Sports and Leisure Club, optional dental insurance).
Legal Bits
We require confirmation of right to work in the UK. Background checks (employment history, criminal record, credit reference and fraud check) will be conducted prior to commencement.
EDI – As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to an inclusive recruitment experience. Reasonable adjustments will be made for candidates with disabilities. Please contact ask_recruitment@slc.co.uk for further assistance.
Use of AI in Job Applications – While tools can assist, all examples and statements must be truthful and original. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of applications.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Student Loans Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
