Data Governance Manager

Job summary

Do you have ideas on how to change and improve data governance processes? Would you love the opportunity to help shape the future of data within DWP?

A role in our Chief Data Office (CDO) may well be the opportunity you’re looking for.

DWP uses data every day in multiple different ways to enable us to operate as an organisation. Data helps us make better policy choices, as well as day to day decisions about how we run our services and achieve outcomes for our customers.

DWP Digital Group is dedicated to developing and delivering world-class digital services that benefits society today and improves the lives of future generations.

We are seeking experienced Data Governance Managers to provide expertise and help us drive the evolution of data within DWP. This is an exciting time to join - DWP's five-year Data Strategy was introduced in 2023, and you will be at the heart of its implementation, alongside the introduction of a Data Hub and Spoke model.

The CDO together with Data and Analytics within DWP Digital are part of the new hub for Data in the DWP.

You will have an opportunity to develop transferrable data skills that are valuable to both DWP and wider industry through on-the-job training, soft skills learning, and professional qualifications.

If you’re an experienced Data Governance Manager looking to work on a variety of data governance priorities and enjoy collaborating with stakeholders, we’d love to hear from you.

Job description

It is recognised across DWP that data is an enabler in all that we do to deliver improved outcomes for citizens – our Data Governance Managers are critical to support this.

As a Data Governance Manager working within Chief Data Office these are some of the things you will have the opportunity to be doing:

• Support the implementation of the Data Strategy across DWP.
• Assist with the design and application of DWP’s Data Governance Framework.
• Writing and updating Data Governance policies and supporting Data Governance Boards.
• Assist the roll out of DWP’s Data Ownership and Stewardship model.
• Implementation of Data Quality Framework and provide targeted support.
• Support the department in meeting its Data Protection legislative compliance.
• Understanding and tracking the data maturity across the department.
• Support to Data Ethics and data governance for AI.
• Working across government to implement Government Digital Service (GDS) data initiatives.
• Collaboration across different projects managing multiple competing priorities with a degree of flexibility.
• Engaging with colleagues across DWP and across government to support Data Sharing.

You will have the opportunity to shape and deliver innovative solutions to meet DWP’s data needs, contributing to key Chief Data Office (CDO) priorities including our live services such as the Data Sharing Advice and Guidance Team and the Data Quality Centre of Excellence.

As part of the Data Governance Job Family, reporting to a Senior Data Governance Manager, you will work across a range of data governance projects with the flexibility to rotate and explore different areas over time.

You can choose to specialise in areas such as Data Quality or Data Sharing Governance or take a broader approach as a Data Governance Generalist. Whichever path you take, you will be supported through formal and informal training, with opportunities to gain professional qualifications like GDPR Practitioner or Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), helping you grow your career.

While not essential, familiarity with the following would be helpful when starting the role:

• Understanding of different Data Maturity Models and best practice.

Person specification

See selection process for further details.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Aisha.gultasab@dwp.gov.uk.

Technical skills

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

• Data Governance

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Hybrid Working

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

Salary Information

New entrants to the Civil Service will join on band minimum.

Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer will maintain their current substantive salary.

Existing Civil Servants who gain promotion will move to the bottom of the grade pay scale or receive a 10% increase applied to their current substantive salary, whichever is greater.

Any temporary allowances that you are currently in receipt of will not form part of the calculation to determine your pay. Any allowances that are in payment will cease when you move into your new role.

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 Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application

Your application will consist of five parts:

1. A Personal Details application form.

2. Civil Service Judgement Test.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stages of the application.

Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for a fully completed application is 16/03/26 at 23:55hrs. Please allow sufficient time to complete the online test and your full written application before the deadline. If you fail to complete the online test and full written application before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The test is administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4 p.m and Midnight on 1st March and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 8th March. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

Following successful completion of the test, you will then be asked to complete:

3. Employment history - this should contain your work experience and any skills, qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you have completed.

4. Personal statement - up to 750 words. This statement should be used to provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria below:

• Proven experience in a data governance role, proactive in approach to the practical implementation of data governance practices and a deep understanding of data protection legislation.
• Experience advising on data governance approaches and standards, setting direction, building and maintaining networks and collaborating across teams with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience of communicating/presenting technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Experience of navigating ambiguous situations, displaying strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess complex information, identify key issues and support the reporting of data risks.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals and contribute to the development of strategy and policies.

5. Technical statement (up to 250 words). The following statement is aligned to the required technical skill of Data Governance. This statement should be used to provide example(s) of how you meet the criterion below:

• How have you implemented an effective data governance process, ensured compliance and collaborated with stakeholders to embed best practices and align with broader business objectives?

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Ensure that all examples provided in your statements are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. If you choose to use gen-AI to support your statements, you must follow the guidelines outlined in the Artificial intelligence and recruitment guide.

The sift panel will use the information in your employment history, personal statement, and technical statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge.

An initial sift will be conducted using the technical statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.

If you do progress to a full sift, you will be provided with one combined overall assessment score for both your employment history and Personal Statement.

For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.

Important Information

• You will be asked to complete your employment history. Any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• If your employment history, personal statement or technical statement contain any personal details your application will be withdrawn.

Stage 2: Interview

If you’re successful at sift stage you will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the experiences listed above.

You will be asked to do a 5 minutes presentation on the following:

• How can data governance be implemented within a large organisation effectively and inclusively and what value does this add to an organisation?

Interviews will take place from Mid April 2026. Interview dates to be confirmed.

Further Information

Find out more about Working for DWP

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

All successful candidates and those placed on reserve will be posted in merit list order by location.

For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Reasonable Adjustment

At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via DigitalRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

For further information on reasonable adjustments, terms and conditions and how we recruit visit the How we recruit page.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Aisha Gultasab
• Email : Aisha.gultasab@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you wish to make a complaint, please find further details here: https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/how-we-recruit/.

Attachments

DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB)Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)