At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Information Governance function and ensure compliance with data protection laws.
- Company: Tameside Council, dedicated to improving community outcomes through responsible data use.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on local communities while shaping digital services.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in Information Governance and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Tameside Council is seeking an experienced Information Governance professional to lead our Information Governance function and fulfil the statutory role of Data Protection Officer (DPO) over a 12 month fixed term period. You will provide strategic leadership to ensure compliance with data protection, information governance and freedom of information legislation, while supporting innovation and the effective use of information across the organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the Information Governance service and providing expert advice on UK GDPR, FOI and related legislation.
- Acting as the Council's statutory Data Protection Officer.
- Developing governance frameworks, policies and standards to support secure and compliant information use.
- Promoting a positive data culture across all services.
- Supporting digital transformation and the safe adoption of emerging technologies, including AI.
- Managing information risks, incidents and compliance activities across the Council and hosted services.
This is an excellent opportunity to influence organisational strategy and help ensure data is used responsibly to improve outcomes for residents.
About You
You will have:
- Significant experience in Information Governance, Data Protection and FOI.
- Experience leading teams and driving organisational improvement.
- Strong knowledge of governance frameworks, information risk and compliance.
- The ability to influence senior leaders, elected members and partners.
- Excellent communication, analytical and leadership skills.
- A relevant professional qualification, or equivalent experience, is essential.
Why Join Us?
We offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits.
- Professional development opportunities.
- A strong focus on health, wellbeing and work-life balance.
- A supportive culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact for local communities.
Our STRIVE values are at the heart of everything we do.
About Us
At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities. We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship. We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria. We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. We welcome applications from internal and external candidates. This role may be offered as a secondment opportunity, subject to line manager approval. If you are passionate about information governance and data protection and want to help shape the future of digital services at Tameside, we would love to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager Becky Swan at becky.swan@tameside.gov.uk.
Head of Information Governance employer: Tameside Council
Tameside Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive and make a significant impact on the community. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to sustainable financial strategies, staff are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to ambitious regeneration plans. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and provides exceptional visibility in decision-making, making it a rewarding place to work for those looking to lead in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Information Governance
✨Dive into Industry Groups
Join compliance and risk management groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. These communities often share temp job postings and insights. You’d be surprised at how many temporary gigs float around through word of mouth!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Consider creating content on compliance topics that get you noticed—think LinkedIn articles or even a blog. This not only shows off your knowledge but can grab the attention of companies like Tameside Council when they’re searching for someone to fill a temporary position.
✨Tap into Recruitment Agencies
Reach out to recruitment agencies that specialise in compliance and risk roles. They’re usually in touch with companies looking to fill temporary roles, which can save us a lot of time in our job search.
✨Go Local with Networking
Attend local compliance and risk seminars or workshops. Meeting professionals in our area can open up temp opportunities, and it’s a great way to make your face known in the industry—plus, you might even meet someone from Tameside Council!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Information Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compliance Know-How:When you’re applying for a compliance-risk role like Head of Information Governance, make sure to highlight your understanding of industry regulations and risk management principles. Mention any relevant coursework, certifications, or projects that showcase your expertise in these areas—it's what sets you apart!
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the compliance-risk field, strong analytical skills are essential. Talk about your experiences that required critical thinking and data analysis, whether in past roles, internships, or academic projects. Show us how you've identified risks and implemented solutions in the past.
Tailor Your CV for the Temporary Role:Since this is a temporary role, focus on your availability and flexibility in your CV. Highlight any previous short-term roles or projects that demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. This helps employers see you as an easy fit in their team!
A Concise Cover Letter is Key:Keep your cover letter short and focused! Explain why you're interested in the compliance-risk area specifically for this temporary position at Tameside Council. Mention what you hope to learn and achieve, showing your enthusiasm and motivation to contribute positively during your time there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tameside Council
✨Know Your Compliance Basics
Make sure you're clued up on the key compliance and risk regulations pertinent to the industry you're applying to. Understanding frameworks like GDPR or AML will not only impress but also show that you’re ready to hit the ground running in your temporary role at Tameside Council.
✨Prepare for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. They might ask how you'd handle a specific compliance issue. Think through real situations you’ve encountered in past roles or study hypothetical cases to showcase your analytical skills and practical judgement during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly to new environments and team dynamics. Share examples of how you’ve successfully adjusted to changes in past roles and how this flexibility can benefit Tameside Council in the short term.
✨Gather Your Technical Tools
Familiarise yourself with commonly used compliance tools or software, as they might come up in the interview. If you've used tools for risk assessments or compliance tracking, mention those and be ready to discuss how they can streamline processes at Tameside Council.
