Data Governance Manager

Job summary

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

The Digital, Data and Cyber Division is transforming the way GLD works through modern and secure digital services.

We are building an ever expanding and modern digital workplace that empowers our people, strengthens collaboration and enables the organisation to operate efficiently, securely and sustainably.

Through agile delivery and user-centred approaches, we design and deliver products and services in partnership with the people who use them, ensuring solutions meet real needs and deliver lasting value.

As part of the wider Government Digital and Data profession, we play a key role in transforming how government operates, enabling better outcomes for colleagues, stakeholders and the public we serve.

The Role

As a Data Governance Manager, you will play a key role in delivering GLD's Data Strategy by helping to establish and embed the governance frameworks, standards and controls that ensure our data is accurate, consistent, secure and trusted.

Working closely with the Lead Data Governance Manager, Data Architect, Data Engineers and stakeholders across the business, you will help strengthen data governance practices throughout the data lifecycle. This includes supporting data ownership and stewardship, improving data quality, enhancing metadata management, and promoting effective information management across the organisation, as well as helping to maintain governance controls covering ownership, access, sharing, retention and classification requirements.

You will help develop the governance capabilities needed to support reporting, analytics, interoperability and emerging AI-enabled services. You will also work with business teams to build their understanding of data governance and support them to manage data effectively, responsibly and in line with organisational policies and standards.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a modern, data-driven organisation, ensuring that data remains a valuable strategic asset that supports better decision-making and service delivery.

What you’ll be doing

• Help shape and embed the governance frameworks, standards and controls that ensure GLD's data is trusted, secure and fit for purpose.
• Work with colleagues across business and technical teams to strengthen data governance and promote good data management practices across the organisation.
• Support data owners and stewards to develop clear accountability for data and ensure governance responsibilities are understood and applied effectively.
• Help build and maintain data catalogues, metadata and governance documentation, making it easier for teams to find, understand and use data.
• Drive improvements in data quality by working with stakeholders to identify issues, implement controls and increase confidence in organisational data.
• Support the management of data-related risks and compliance activities, helping to ensure data is managed appropriately throughout its lifecycle.
• Enable trusted reporting, analytics and AI innovation by ensuring data is well-governed, well-documented and understood.
• Champion data literacy across GLD, developing guidance and engaging with colleagues to build confidence in using and managing data effectively.

How you’ll do it:

• Build strong relationships with business and technical stakeholders to promote good data management practices and support the adoption of governance standards.
• Work collaboratively with data owners, stewards, architects and engineers to improve data quality, governance and accountability.
• Maintain governance documentation, policies, standards, metadata and ownership records to ensure information remains accurate and up to date.
• Support governance forums, working groups and assurance activities, providing clear advice and guidance on governance requirements and best practice.
• Monitor governance processes and controls, identifying opportunities for improvement and helping to resolve governance issues and risks.
• Communicate complex governance concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, helping teams understand how to manage data responsibly and effectively.
• Support the governance of new data products, reporting solutions and shared datasets, ensuring governance considerations are embedded from the outset.

This is an opportunity to help shape how data is governed across GLD, ensuring it remains a trusted strategic asset that supports innovation, insight and better outcomes for the organisation.

Candidate Information Session

We will be holding a candidate information session for these roles on Microsoft Teams from 10:30am-11:30am on Friday 30th October 2026.

This session is an opportunity to learn more about the role, working in government and what to expect, as well as an opportunity to to ask any questions you may have.

If you are interested in further information on this role please join the link below:

10:30am-11:30am on Friday 30th October 2026.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3708737239982652?p=88SUSYuouH7HA3ozKt

Meeting ID: 370 873 723 998 265 2

Passcode: N5KS99Xj

Please note that candidate information sessions are not filmed and any presentations cannot not be shared afterwards.

Person specification

Behaviours

As part of the selection process, we’ll assess you against the Success Profile behaviours listed below. You’ll need to demonstrate each behaviour at the application stage, interview stage, or both. You can find guidance on Success Profiles to help you understand what we’ll be looking for.

• Seeing the big picture

Key Skills and Experience

Essential – Candidates must demonstrate the following key skills at interview and application:

• Experience improving how organisations manage, govern and use data.
• An understanding of data ownership, stewardship and accountability, and how these contribute to trusted data.
• Experience working with data quality, metadata, information management, data catalogues or data lifecycle management practices.
• The ability to identify risks, solve problems and implement practical improvements.
• Experience building effective relationships with business and technical stakeholders to drive positive change.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and influence a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of data governance best practice, including information management and UK GDPR principles.

Desirable

• Experience with data lineage, taxonomy or advanced metadata management capabilities.
• Experience supporting reporting, analytics, business intelligence or AI-enabled services through effective data governance.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview or similar data governance platforms.
• Experience working in government, the public sector, or another large and complex organisation.

If candidates are closely matched after assessment against the essential criteria, we may use the desirable criteria to help make a final decision at sift and interview.

Technical Professional Skills

We’ll be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Data governance manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework role.

Essential – Candidates must demonstrate the following key skills at interview and application:

• Communicating between the technical and non-technical
• Data life cycle
• Data management
• Data standards
• Enabling and informing risk-based decisions
• Stakeholder relationship management

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must successfully obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance before starting employment. In addition to BPSS all colleagues based in our London offices must hold Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. If London based, you can start your position pending this clearance level, however your continued appointment will be conditional upon obtaining and maintaining CTC clearance.

This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. You can start employment once BPSS clearance has been completed and while your SC clearance application is being processed; however, obtaining and maintaining SC clearance is a condition of employment. If you are unable to obtain or maintain SC clearance, you may not be able to remain in the role you have been appointed to and this may lead to the termination of your contract or offer of employment.

Current SC clearance requirements typically include a 5-year verifiable UK residency history, with no more than 6 months spent outside the UK in the preceding 12 months. You will be asked to confirm whether you believe you meet these requirements as part of your application. This information will not be used as part of the assessment process.

As security vetting requirements are determined by the relevant vetting authority and may change over time, applicants are encouraged to review the latest UK Security Vetting guidance before applying via United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant Guidance.

If during pre-employment checks it is found that you are unable to gain the required level of security clearance for the role, your provisional offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Sponsorship and Visa Information

Visa sponsorship will not be given to candidates except where they are existing civil servants employed by GLD who meet the Home Office/UKVI requirements

for sponsorship. If you are an existing civil servant employed by GLD who requires sponsorship, you should confirm your eligibility for sponsorship for this role before applying. Individuals should seek Home Office guidance on how a new position within the organisation may affect their sponsorship eligibility.

Candidates with Limited Leave to Remain may apply but must have at least 12 months remaining on an existing visa which permits them to work for GLD when employment begins. Candidates must ensure that their current visa covers the full period of employment or that they are eligible under a non-sponsored immigration route that allows them to remain employed by GLD for the duration of the role.

The expectation is that applicants have an existing visa, which at the point they start work with GLD has at least 12 months remaining on it. The share code provided as part of pre-employment checks must relate to a visa that gives you the right to work in the role for a minimum of 12 months. The 12-month requirement must be met by your existing visa and cannot be met by relying on a visa application that is still awaiting a decision.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK and hold an appropriate visa or use an alternative immigration route covering the full period of your employment. GLD will not be able to sponsor this role when your current visa arrangements expire, and you will not be able to continue your employment with GLD through sponsorship. Please allow three months for the onboarding process from the point of offer.

Candidates with Indefinite Leave to Remain may apply.

You will be asked to confirm your immigration status and visa type as part of the application process. If you do not meet these requirements, your application will be fail the eligibility pre-sift for this vacancy and your application for this role will rejected.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical professional skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,500, Government Legal Department contributes £12,601 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Benefits of working for the Civil Service

Whatever your role, we’re committed to supporting your career, learning and development. You’ll have opportunities to build your skills, develop your career within GLD and explore opportunities across the wider Civil Service.

As a Civil Service employee, you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits and development opportunities.

Professional Development

Grow your skills and build your career in digital, data and cyber

Joining GLD’s Digital, Data and Cyber Directorate means becoming part of the wider Government Digital and Data profession, with opportunities to:

• Develop your skills against the relevant Government Digital and Data role and capability standards
• Follow a clear professional pathway and build the skills needed for career progression
• Access role-specific technical learning, professional qualifications and practical development
• Learn through challenging projects, new technologies and multidisciplinary team working
• Connect with professional networks and communities of practice across government
• Benefit from coaching, mentoring, peer support and knowledge-sharing

Find out more at Government Digital and Data profession , Civil Service Careers

Talent and Career Development at GLD

There are opportunities throughout the year to develop your skills, experience and career, including:

• Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes: accelerated development opportunities across the Civil Service.
• Beyond Boundaries: a cross-government development programme supporting the development of knowledge, skills and professional networks.
• Mentoring and coaching: opportunities to learn from others, share knowledge and develop skills and capability.
• Apprenticeships: a range of apprenticeship opportunities across professions, supporting development and career progression.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this post you need to complete the following application on Civil Service Jobs. The deadline for this application is Monday, 2nd November 2026 at 12:00 Midday. You can search for the job using the reference number below.

Application

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

• A CVsetting out your employment history, previous skills and experience. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the application form. The CV will be used to assess key skills and experience as set out in the Person Specification.
• Please provide a personal statement of no more than 1000 words answering the following 3 questions:

1.Tell us about a time you helped establish or improve data ownership, stewardship, metadata or data quality arrangements. What approach did you take and what impact did it have?

2.Give us an example of how you worked with technical and non-technical stakeholders to establish or improve data ownership, stewardship or accountability.

3.Tell us about a time you identified a risk relating to data ownership, quality, standards or management. What approach did you take and what was the outcome?

Your answers should be drawn from your previous work experience and will be used to assess yourtechnical professional skills. All essential criteria for technical professional skills will be assessed across the personal statement, but each question does not need to cover every criterion.

CV Guidance for candidates

Please find the following guidance on how to populate the three sections of the CV when completing the online application: You will be asked to provide your, employment history, previous skills and experience, and qualifications.

For Employment History – please add your employment history, you can set out the roles you have completed in the past with start to end dates.

For Previous Skills and Experience - please add your experience, skills, achievements, key responsibilities, and any transferable skills you can bring to this role.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk. In the subject line of the email please state the vacancy name and reference number as well as the closing date.

Eligibility Pre-Sift

There are essential eligibility requirements for this role. As part of the application process you will be asked to confirm you meet the full criteria. To be eligible for this role, you must confirm the following:

• If you are a UK national or if you have been granted indefinite leave to remain
• If you have limited leave to remain in the UK and are currently a visa holder.
• If you currently hold a visa you will be asked to confirm the visa type, expiry date and the current sponsor for a skilled worker visa, if applicable.

If you do not meet the above requirements your application will not progress and you will be rejected during the pre-sift, as your application will not have passed the eligibility requirements.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Staged sift

If a high number of applications are received, a two-stage sift may be used.

Stage 1: Applications will initially be assessed against CVonly.

Applications that meet the required standard for CV will progress to Stage 2. Applications that do not meet the required standard will not progress further.

Stage 2: Applications progressing to this stage will then be assessed against Personal Statement.

Applications must meet the required standard at this stage to progress further in the selection process.

Longlisting

If a high number of applications meet the required standard at sift, a longlist may be used. This means some applications that meet the minimum pass mark but are not initially selected for interview may be placed on hold. If vacancies remain following the initial interviews, applications on the longlist may then be considered for interview.

Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed against the criteria set out in the Person Specification, alongside scenario-based exercises and questions and strength-based questions:

• Behaviour: Seeing the big picture
• Key skills and experience
• Technical professional skills

Interview format

The interview will take placeonline.

Offer and Reserve Lists

Interview outcomes will be communicated through Civil Service Jobs, with expected timings set out in the campaign timeline. Feedback will only be available following an interview.

Appointments will be made in order of merit. Those who meet the required standard but are not offered a role may be placed on a reserve list and considered for suitable GLD vacancies at the same or a lower grade.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Colin Greaves
• Email : colin.greaves@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Further information

This campaign is run in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application hasn’t been treated in accordance with these Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance. Please title your email as follows: Job Reference Number – Job Title – Recruitment Complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or the decision which has caused the complaint. To fully engage with the issues raised GLD require that you submit evidence of your complaint.

Attachments

484528 Data Governance Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 619kB)