Information Governance Officer

Job summary

Student Loans Company is a non-profit making Government-owned organisation to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK. Since 1989, we have enabled our customers to invest in their futures by delivering secure, accurate and efficient assessment, payment and repayment services.

Our Values

Culture is at the heart of everything we do at SLC and we are guided by our five values which help make SLC a great place to work:

• Honesty: We act with integrity and transparency, sharing information openly and addressing challenges with courage.

• Empowerment: We enable people to take initiative, make impactful decisions, and continuously learn and grow.

• Accountability: We deliver on commitments, own our successes and mistakes, and strive for quality outcomes.

• Respect: We value diverse perspectives, actively listen, and create an inclusive environment where everyone belongs.

• Trust: We collaborate across teams, build dependable relationships, and work as one to deliver for our customers.

These values are more than words—they guide our decisions, shape our collaborations, and strengthen our impact on the students we serve.

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Manager to lead our Data Protection Office function within Assurance Services, providing leadership in Information/Data Governance and Data Protection Compliance, and ensuring adherence to Legal, Regulatory and Internal Policy requirements across the organisation

This is a highly visible role, working closely with stakeholders across Operations, Technology and Security, Corporate Services, People, Risk and Internal Audit, to apply subject matter expertise, influence decision-making, highlight risks and drive effective Governance outcomes.

You’ll motivate and develop a team of Data Protection professionals, including setting objectives, conducting regular 1:1s, performance reviews and coaching to build capability, resilience and drive high performance.

Person specification

• Experience of managing/leading a high performing team

• Strong Data Protection knowledge, including experience of Audit activity, Risk Management and Information/Data Governance frameworks, with the ability to oversee their consistent application across business areas

• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence to influence at a senior management level and represent the Data Protection Office in key meetings/forums

• Ability to identify and communicate process improvements, policy development and supporting documentation/processes

• Works independently within their remit, trusting own judgment and with confidence in challenging situations

• Ability to interpret complex Regulatory, policy and control requirements, translating these into clear direction and guidance for delivery across business areas

• Skilled in Risk identification, assessment and prioritisation, acting as a senior escalation point and ensuring appropriate mitigation/risk acceptance actions are in place

• Strong analytical and critical thinking capability, able to navigate ambiguity and assess impacts across interconnected processes, Risks and Controls

• Strong attention to detail and professional judgement, enabling effective oversight of multiple priorities and informed decision-making through others

• Recognised Data Protection qualification eg. CIPP-E or Certified GDPR Foundation and Practitioner

• Experience of people management in a relevant subject matter Governance/Compliance role, in ensuring adherence to Regulatory requirements/standards

• Experience of being a confident communicator

• Experience in developing and implementing relevant subject matter policies and procedures

• Experience in applying risk management principles

• Experience of data breach investigation case work and being a SME in incident response

• Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a fast-paced environment, providing leadership and authoritative professional opinion in a timely manner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,950, Student Loans Company contributes £17,946 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).

Please note that SLC operate a hybrid working environment, with a minimum of 2 days in the office. This role has a mandatory requirement for Wednesday to be one of your in office days.

SLC offer a blended working model which will typically be 2 days in the office and 3 days from home.

You can expect more from a career with SLC. We support colleagues to unlock their potential through our Career Pathways development programme and offer an excellent benefit and rewards package that includes:

• 28 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays

• Option to buy/sell annual leave

• Flexi-time and enhanced flexible working options available

• Option to join the Civil Service pension scheme

• Life insurance cover for 4 x annual salary

• Enhanced company sick pay and family leave including maternity, paternity and adoption

• Contributory lifestyle benefit options including discounts at hundreds of retailers, cycle to work scheme, access to the Civil Service Sports and Leisure Club for discounted gym memberships, and an optional dental insurance scheme

• To find out what’s it’s like to work at Student Loans Company click here SLC Careers

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 apply via the link below

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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

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 : Talent Acquisition
• Email : ask_recruitment@slc.co.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : ask_recruitment@slc.co.uk

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 ask_recruitment@slc.co.uk in the first instance.