Head of Information Rights Operations

UK Research and Innovation

Head of Information Rights Operations

Salary: £56,745
Council/Function: UKRI Corporate Hub, Chief Information Officer Directorate
Hours: Full time/Part Time (Minimum of 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon

Closing Date: Sunday 27th April 2025

Purpose of role

The UKRI Head of Information Rights Operations is responsible for the management and oversight of operational activities and user focused services to support UKRI in meeting its statutory responsibilities under data protection, freedom of information and environmental information regulations legislation.

The postholder will provide leadership and expert advice on information rights to maintain and enhance compliance, responding to legislative and regulatory change, to promote transparency, and embed best practice and support continuous improvement. They will provide advice to a diverse range of colleagues, including members of the executive and senior management.

They will lead the delivery of timely, high-quality responses to information rights requests, and oversee personal data breach incident management. They will also have responsibility for managing the interface between business as usual activities and major change projects, and support policy and process development.

Working with the Head of Information Governance and others across the Group, they will play a key role in leading and sustaining a full information governance service for UKRI and provide operational leadership to ensure effective governance, accountability, risk management and integrated assurance arrangements. They will hold the position of one of two Deputy Data Protection Officers (DPO), supporting the UKRI DPO.

Reporting to: The Head of Information Governance

Direct reports: Five Senior Information Rights Managers (Band E)

Responsibilities

1. Managing the provision of expert advice on information rights, including the provision of data protection impact assessments, overseeing an effective assessment and assurance process, and supporting data protection by design and default in change programmes and the transition to business as usual.
2. Leading the delivery of timely, high-quality responses to requests under Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations, and Data Subject Rights Requests. Including oversight of formal sign-off processes and consideration of prejudice and public interest tests, and the management of complex cases, complaints and appeals.
3. Overseeing the personal data breach incident management process, ensuring that incidents are managed effectively, actions are identified and monitored, and where relevant incidents are reported to relevant regulators.
4. Providing expert, timely and effective advice to the business on information rights matters, including to the Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and senior executives across UKRI, through excellent quality written submissions and face-to-face briefings.
5. Leading the development and delivery of information rights training, including targeted induction, awareness raising activity and specialist training as necessary.
6. Leading a delivery focused team of subject matter experts, with a strong focus on outcomes and instilling a culture of personal development and continuous improvement. Undertaking active resource management to ensure the most effective deployment of people and time.
7. Driving service improvements through the development and continuous assessments of key performance indicators for information rights operations.
8. Reviewing and resolving complex issues and complaints relating to information rights. Providing direction and support to a team tasked with sensitively handling challenging or ambiguous queries.
9. Building and maintaining excellent working relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Information Commission’s Office (ICO). Managing communications with the ICO, relating to data protection and freedom of information complaints, personal data breaches and prior consultation.
10. Representing information governance interests on UKRI and council groups and committees, and externally as required.
11. Acting as Deputy Data Protection Officer and deputising for the Head of Information Governance as required.
12. Other duties as required, including cover for the Head of Information Rights Strategy and Head of Knowledge and Information Management where necessary.

Experience, skills, and knowledge:

Essential:

1. An established information rights professional. [S]
2. Educated to degree level or equivalent. [S]
3. Professional accreditation or certificate/qualification in data protection, e.g., BCS Certificate in Data Protection, International Association of Privacy Professional certification (or relevant practical experience and willingness to work towards certification/qualification within six months of appointment). [S]
4. Expert knowledge of data protection, freedom of information and environmental information regulations legislation and an ability to interpret requirements into effective policies, guidance, and advice. [S,I]
5. Experience in managing information rights requests, including complex cases such as internal reviews, complaints, and tribunal cases. [S,I]
6. Demonstrable experience in developing collaborative working relationships, an ability to influence and negotiate and to build and maintain effective, positive, and responsive relationships with a range of colleagues and external stakeholders. [S,I]
7. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with an ability to produce high quality, clear and concise briefings, papers, and other materials for a wide range of audiences, including executive and senior management, and non-specialists. [S,I]
8. Sound leadership and management skills with an ability to inspire, motivate and develop capability within a team to deliver quality outcomes. [S,I]
9. Proven prioritisation skills and flexible approach to managing workloads, and an ability to reprioritise individual and team focus in a changing environment. [S,I]
10. Demonstrable problem-solving skills, with an ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application to influence and drive change and support continuous improvement. [S,I]
11. Ability to develop and maintain effective, positive, responsive relationships with a range of colleagues and external stakeholders. [S,I]
12. Proficient IT skills and ability to use Microsoft Office packages (i.e., Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint). [S]

Desirable:

1. Postgraduate qualification in an information governance related subject (law, information rights, information management or equivalent experience in information rights). [S]
2. Sound knowledge across all areas of information governance, including knowledge and information management. [I]
3. Experience of developing and implementing information rights policies and processes within complex and multidisciplinary organisations. [I]
4. Experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring training and engagement programmes. [I]
5. Financial planning and budget management. [S]
6. A good working knowledge of risk management practice and assurance within multidisciplinary organisations. [S]
7. Strong project management skills and experience of leading and delivering projects relating to information governance and business change. [S]
8. Experience within large, and/or complex, public-sector organisations. [S]

[S] – Assessed at shortlisting

[I] – Assessed at interview

[S,I] – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.