Data Protection Manager


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£57,515 - £62,034
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Birmingham
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Aug 2026
Closing date:	31 Aug 2026

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Summary

Can you lead an information rights team with confidence and expertise?

Do you have the credibility to advise and influence senior decision-makers?

Are you an experienced data protection professional looking to make a real impact across a major government department?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is an exciting time to join the Digital, Information and Security Directorate within the Department for Transport as we restructure our directorate to ensure we are ready for future challenges, building a more sustainable, skilled and in-house capability.

Protect information. Influence strategy. Build public trust. Promote transparency, improve compliance, influence senior decision-makers, and help safeguard the information that underpins public confidence in government.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday

Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

This is a unique opportunity to join the Department for Transport's Digital, Information and Security Directorate, where you'll act as the Data Protection Manager for the central department and support the Data Protection Officer in the delivery of their statutory tasks. Working at the heart of the organisation, you'll provide expert advice on information rights legislation, helping the Department manage risk and maintain public trust.

Leading a team of specialist advisers, you will champion a culture of data protection by design and default, ensuring compliance is embedded into new projects, services and ways of working from the outset. You'll work closely with senior leaders, influencing decision-making on complex and high-profile issues, while maintaining appropriate records to demonstrate compliance.

You will also oversee the Department's FOI advice function, promote transparency and accountability and participate in Internal Reviews.

This is an excellent opportunity to apply your expertise in a role that combines strategic influence, operational leadership and public service.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

Manage a team of expert advisers who, along with yourself, provide expert and timely advice on information rights law and associated risks to the business, ensuring a sensible and proportionate approach is taken to help the department operate in a way that inspires public trust and confidence.
Be an enthusiastic advocate for data protection by design and default to ensure that data protection requirements are factored into processes and change projects at the earliest stages.
Ensure the department’s accountability obligations are met by maintaining accurate records that help evidence compliance such as an up-to-date Register of Processing Activities.
Ensure adequate arrangements are in place to fulfil individual rights requests in accordance with statutory timescales, monitoring compliance and taking steps to address poor performance.
Maintain your ongoing professional development and that of your team.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

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