Data Protection Manager (3175)

Job summary

Are you passionate about safeguarding personal data and ensuring organisations uphold the highest standards of information governance? Do you thrive in a high-profile environment where your expertise can make a real difference? Social Security Scotland’s Data Protection and Information Governance team is looking for a dedicated Data Protection Manager to play a vital role in maintaining public trust and ensuring compliance across our organisation.

Based in Dundee or Glasgow, you will be part of a collaborative team committed to high standards and continuous professional development. This is an exciting opportunity to influence data protection practices and support organisational excellence in a fast-paced, impactful setting.

As a key member of our Data Protection and Information Governance team within the Data Office, you will lead on complex and sensitive issues related to data protection and governance. Your leadership will support our commitment to responsible data handling, risk management, and compliance, helping shape the organisation’s approach to data protection by design. You will also contribute to organisational learning and improvement by representing our interests in various forums and fostering a culture of best practice.

This impactful role would suit someone who is passionate about data protection and information governance and has proven experience supporting projects involving Data Protection Impact Assessments and data sharing agreements. We’re looking for a confident leader with the following qualities:

Experience & Expertise: Demonstrable experience in completing DPIAs and managing data sharing agreements. Skilled in raising and discussing information risks, making informed recommendations, and influencing actions to mitigate risks.

Leadership & Communication: A confident leader who has line management experience and the ability to lead others, handle challenge, and navigate differing views while ensuring data protection requirements are understood and upheld.

Analytical & Influential: Competent in analysing information risks and communicating complex issues clearly to stakeholders at all levels, including senior management.

Job description

Data Protection Governance & Risk Management
• Lead the implementation and delivery of our data protection by design principles and data sharing strategies.
• Oversee the production, maintenance, and review of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), ensuring they are comprehensive and up-to-date.
• Manage the creation, review, and maintenance of data sharing agreements with external partners such as DWP and HMRC.
• Ensure oversight of the data protection governance workload and backlog, aligning priority tasks with organisational objectives to effectively manage resources and mitigate risks.
• Provide expert advice on complex data protection issues across Social Security Scotland, particularly to senior staff.
• Support the development of policies and best practices in data protection and information governance.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Relationships
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Advise on data protection and information risk, escalating issues to the Data Protection Officer and senior leadership as appropriate.
• Support external data sharing requests received from other departments, working closely with the wider Data Services branch.
• Ensure contractual arrangements with suppliers meet data protection standards and requirements.

Leadership & Professional Development
• Line manage at least two Senior Data Protection Practitioners, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead on issues of particular complexity and sensitivity, using your knowledge and experience to build team capability.
• Work collaboratively with the Data Protection Officer and other managers to set objectives, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement based on risk assessments, breach reports, and assurance findings.

Person specification

Qualifications
You must have, or be willing to work towards, an approved accreditation such as the British Computer Society Data Protection Practitioner Certificate or relevant equivalent.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Experience
1. Proven experience in leading or supporting the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and managing data sharing agreements with external partners. Ability to oversee their production, maintenance, and review processes to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

2. Demonstrable experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Skilled in advising on data protection and information risks, supporting external data sharing requests, and ensuring contractual arrangements with suppliers meet data protection standards.

3. Experience of line managing or leading teams, with the ability to support, develop, and motivate staff. Proven track record of leading on complex or sensitive issues, providing guidance and professional development to team members, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

Behaviours
• Changing and Improving (Level 4)
• Seeing the Big Picture (Level 4)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Benefits

Annual Leave - You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you've worked can be taken as leave when suitable.

A Civil Service Pension - This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here - www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk.

Healthy work life balance - We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working.

Discounts - You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme.

Personal support for you - Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7.

Volunteering special leave - Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them.

Great locations - Our bright and modern offices in the heart of Dundee and Glasgow have been designed with staff in mind. Both locations are ideal for public transport.

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

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 23rd February 2026
Interview – w/c 9th March 2026
Location – In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

To apply please submit an application form by clicking on the ‘Apply at Advertisers Site’ button.

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 : Resourcing team
• Email : Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
• Telephone : 08001577194

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Further information

https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/working-with-us/help-with-your-application