Deputy Data Protection Officer in Bedford

Location: Can be based at any of our campuses

Salary/Benefits: £30,915 – £41,085 per annum DOE and Qualifications; 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays; People’s Pension; Retail and Leisure Discounts; excellent professional and personal development opportunities; access to college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Right to Work: This is a UK based contract. You must have the Right to Work in the UK and we are unable to offer sponsorship.

About The Role

We are currently seeking a Deputy Data Protection Officer to join us at The Bedford College Group.

Responsibilities

• Data Protection Compliance & Information Governance – strong understanding of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information legislation, and information governance principles, and support compliance monitoring, policy implementation and regulatory requirements.
• Data Protection Operations & Risk Management – manage Subject Access Requests, FOI requests, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), breach investigations, records management and maintain compliance documentation such as ROPAs and registers.
• Advisory, Training & Stakeholder Support – provide professional advice and guidance on data protection matters, support staff understanding of legislative responsibilities and contribute to the development and delivery of training and awareness activities.
• Organisation, Analysis & Communication Skills – excellent organisational, analytical and report‑writing skills, manage competing priorities, meet statutory deadlines, maintain accurate records and communicate complex information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Professionalism & Continuous Improvement – strong attention to detail, commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, equality and diversity, health & safety, proactive improvement and collaborative working.

About You

• Qualifications & Technical Knowledge – HND (or equivalent) with GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent); working knowledge of GDPR, Data Protection legislation, information governance principles and compliance requirements.
• Data Protection & Compliance Experience – experience supporting compliance monitoring, data protection processes, policy implementation, breach investigations, subject rights administration and information governance activities.
• Training, Communication & Stakeholder Support – strong written and verbal communication skills, experience developing or supporting training materials, delivering guidance, producing reports and procedures, and working effectively with managers and stakeholders.
• Organisation, Accuracy & Analytical Skills – excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain accurate records and handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Professionalism & Personal Attributes – work independently and collaboratively under pressure, build positive relationships, promote equality, diversity and safeguarding, demonstrate flexibility, commit to continuous professional development and travel across organisational sites as required.

Alignment to VISION Values

• Valuing Teamwork – we are one team and work together to achieve great outcomes, respecting opinions and valuing each contribution.
• Improving Continuously – challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student‑Centred – we consider students in all decision‑making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences.
• Inclusive – celebrate differences and diversity, recognising we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring – care about wellbeing of staff, students, community and wider society, build an environment of trust and support.
• Nurturing Education Excellence – promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge students to achieve ambition.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College. It is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year. The Group consists of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College, located in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land‑based college; The Bedford Sixth Form (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form (opened September 2023); and the National College for Motorsports beside the Silverstone race circuit. To widen access to education and training, the Group also has community‑based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers must share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The policy on Employment of Ex‑Offenders is attached to this vacancy. Candidates barred from working with children are reminded that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.