EOI - Data Protection Operations Lead
Job summary
Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)
We are transforming DCMS to meet the needs of a modern, delivery-focused department working on some of government’s highest-priority agendas to drive growth, enrich lives and level-up society.
Our modernisation plans include investing in systems that are fit for purpose, reduce manual work and improve how colleagues across DCMS use technology, data and digital services. This includes developing a strong central digital capability for the department.
We also want to improve how we solve policy challenges by using user-centred design and working in multidisciplinary teams. This is an exciting time to join, as the team is shaping how digital, data and technology support delivery across DCMS.
Our mission is to digitally enable how DCMS delivers its priority outcomes and respond to the changing needs of the sectors and partners we work with. If you want to help shape that journey, this is a great time to join us.
Job description
This is a short-term role for a maximum of 1 year, which is available on both level transfer and temporary promotion.
As a Data Protection Operations Lead, you will:
- Develop data management policies
- Provide expert guidance to the department on how to meet legal obligations
- Assess data processes to highlight risks, and make recommendations
- Audit information to make sure data protection measures are effective
- Draft or edit printed and online content around data protection
- Respond to information requests and data breaches
- Produce face-to-face and online training for staff
- Maintain accurate records of data processing activities
- Keep up to date with developments in legislation in the UK and overseas
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following skills:
Essential requirements:
- A current working knowledge, experience and understanding of UK & EU GDPR, DPA 2018 and PECR, particularly:
- Responding to information rights requests, (particularly Subject Access Requests) from individuals
- Existing working practices within central or local government, including risk management, ROPA, data privacy impact assessment governance & compliance framework
- In a comparable business environment, experience of providing evidence based, risk balanced advice to seniors, presenting complex considerations in clear and non-technical terms
- Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities whilst maintaining focus in fast paced environments
Desirable skills:
- Qualified to CIPP/e
- Certified Data Protection Practitioner (PC.dp)
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (DPA2018 & GDPR) or equivalent
- Able to demonstrate technical expertise that is equivalent to the qualifications
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £56,582, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £16,391 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).DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
3 days of paid volunteering leave
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
Occupational sick pay
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
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
Please discuss this opportunity with your line manager for approval before applying, if successful, you’d be required to start as soon as possible.
Please note: OGD candidates will require prior permission from their line managers to be released on loan should they be successful in securing this role.
To express your interest in this role, please send a statement of suitability of no more than 750 words describing your suitability for the role, along with your CV setting out your career history with key responsibilities and achievements by 17:00 pm on 13th November 2026 to david.booth@dcms.gov.uk.
Your statement of suitability should focus on how you meet the criteria set out above and will also be assessed using the same criteria.
Candidates who are successful at sift may be invited to an interview. The vacancy holder will confirm what to prepare for the interview but will be interested in the candidate's skills, experience and may ask for evidence of Civil Service behaviours.
For further information on this vacancy, please contact david.booth@dcms.gov.uk.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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
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 : David Booth
- Email : david.booth@dcms.gov.uk.
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Head of Resourcing at recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk, in the first instance.Attachments
487993 - EOI - Data Protection Operations Lead Opens in new window (pdf, 2743kB)Share this page
Salary range
- £56,582 - £69,740 per year