Data Governance Manager

Job summary

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government - we are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.

Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:

1. joining up public sector services
2. harnessing the power of AI for the public good
3. strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
4. elevating leadership and investing in talent
5. funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
6. committing to transparency and driving accountability

We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.

We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.

The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Data is critical to joined-up, efficient, user-friendly public services and realising the value of AI.

The Data Standards Authority (DSA) which is led by the Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) Directorate within GDS coordinates cross-public sector work on data standards and sets standards for common adoption to support interoperability and enable better data sharing between organisations.

Job description

You will be joining the Data Directorate at an exciting time. Our team has some big ambitions - we want to improve services for end users and improve how new policies are developed and implemented through the effective use and reuse of data. This post will involve solving complex problems to deliver on the Government’s commitments and build essential foundations for data strategy. You’ll work across departments and with external partners, challenging and supporting others to transform how data is used and shared to enable joined up, trusted public services.

As Data Governance Manager you’ll work alongside a team to:

• support the Data Standards Authority (DSA) in coordinating cross-government work on data standards to enable interoperability and effective data governance
• contribute to the development, review, and adoption of data standards and data sharing frameworks, including core data domains such as person attributes and vulnerable cohort identification
• work collaboratively with wide range of stakeholders including government departments, and public sector bodies, and local government to understand data challenges and identify appropriate standards-based solutions
• support stakeholder engagement activity, including organising community workshops, working groups, and consultations to build shared understanding and consensus
• produce clear, accessible communications, and guidance materials to promote adoption of data standards and data sharing best practice
• support the development of policy and programme plans relating to data sharing, including contributing to legislative and strategic initiatives where required
• encourage adoption of data governance practices across government by ensuring supporting materials are fit for purpose and engaging with subject matter experts

Person specification

This role is focused on development and endorsement of data standards from a central government perspective, including agreeing common standards for adoption, having robust governance and processes in place to build consensus, and ensuring appropriate material and support is provided to organisations for the adoption of standards.

It will entail future development work, as required. A blend of data, governance and policy knowledge is needed.

We’re interested in people who:

• have experience implementing governance frameworks, operating within a strategic context to ensure activities align with cross-government data transformation goals
• have experience working on data strategy or guidance development, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences and provide practical recommendations to inform decision-making
• understand the end-to-end process of developing Data Governance Theory, including the complexities of encouraging adoption within devolved administrations and local government
• demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels across the organisation and government to deliver ambitious outcomes
• are highly organised and able to work independently to manage complex programmes or projects - balancing competing priorities and stakeholder demands, including from senior leaders
• are familiar with data standards or governance lifecycle practices

Benefits

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for the King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

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

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60 minute video interview which will feature a short presentation. Details of the presentation will be shared with invited candidates prior to the interview

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:

• have experience implementing governance frameworks, operating within a strategic context to ensure activities align with cross-government data transformation goals

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Data Governance Manager role:

• Data Governance
• Data Standards
• Strategic thinking
• Stakeholder relationship management

Want to know more about who Government Digital and Data are? Click Here

Recruitment Timeline

Sift completion: 13/3/2026

Panel interviews: Starting from 20/3/2026

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Sponsorship

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

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.

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 : gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.uk
• Email : gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact gds-complaints@dsit.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission by email: info@csc.gov.uk Or in writing: Civil Service Commission, Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.