Senior Information Rights Manager -Data Protection

UK Research and Innovation

Senior Information Rights Manager (Operations)

Salary: £45,272
Council/Function: UKRI Corporate Hub, Chief Information Officer Directorate
Hours: Full time/Part Time (Minimum of 0.7 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon

Closing date: Sunday 27th April 2025

Purpose of role

The Information Governance Group supports UKRI in meeting its obligations in the areas of Data Protection and Freedom of Information and provides oversight of knowledge and information management practice and services.

The Senior Information Rights Manager (Operations) works with the Head of Information Rights Operations in providing expert advice and managing effective user-focused services across these areas. As one of a number of Senior Information Rights Managers, they will lead one or more areas of operations, which include the management of data protection advice and assessments, data subject rights requests, freedom of information/environmental information regulations requests or personal data incident investigations.

They will manage Information Rights Managers to deliver a high-quality information rights service, and work to maintain and enhance information rights compliance, and to embed best practice and support continuous improvement across UKRI.

Reporting to: The Head of Information Rights Operations

Direct reports: One or more Information Rights Managers (Band D)

Responsibilities

• Providing expert advice on information rights legislation to support compliance, and to monitor and improve service delivery.
• Providing expert advice and assistance on data protection, including how to work with data protection and related legislation, undertaking privacy impact assessments, and advising on contractual requirements, safeguards, privacy notices, procedures and related guidance.
• Providing expert advice and assistance on freedom of information and environmental information regulations legislation, including how to work with the legislation, promoting transparency, procedures and related guidance.
• Managing and delivering responses to data subject rights requests, freedom of information requests and environmental information requests, including coordination of requests, consultation with subject matter experts, liaison with requesters, securing and assessing relevant information and advising on exemptions, providing briefings for senior staff on complex cases and managing complaints.
• Managing and supporting personal data breach incidents, ensuring that investigations are managed effectively and within agreed processes, actions are identified and monitored, and where relevant are reported to relevant regulators.
• Monitoring developments in information rights legislation, providing analysis of any implications for UKRI activities and developing proposals to address emerging issues and regulatory change, and disseminating information across the organisation as necessary.
• Supporting the development and delivery of information rights training, including targeted induction, awareness raising activity and specialist training as necessary.
• Line management of Information Rights Managers, and supervision of other team members working with you across different areas.
• Management and planning of resources – ensuring work is coordinated, delegated and managed effectively.
• Development and monitoring of key performance indicators for relevant workstreams, to manage performance and support service improvements.
• Provide support for projects as required, assisting or leading projects relating to information rights or the wider remit of the Group.
• Reviewing and resolving complex issues and complaints relating to information rights.
• Ensure that effective procedures, guidance, reports and other templates are in place, and are regularly reviewed and updated in line with changing business requirements.
• Representing information rights and wider information governance interests on UKRI and council groups and committees, and externally as required.
• Other duties as required, including cover for the Head of Information Rights Operations where necessary.

Stakeholder relationships

Internal

• Contacts across UKRI for input to information requests, assistance with information provision and advice and input on information governance and other issues.
• Relevant internal committees, working groups, information rights contacts in the institutes.
• Legal team.

External

• UK SBS.
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (UKRI’s sponsor department) and other Government Departments.
• Information Commissioner’s Office.
• The public and other stakeholders.

Experience, skills, and knowledge:

Essential:

• Appropriate qualifications in Data Protection and Freedom of Information, or comparable experience working in these areas in a complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in providing specialist support in information rights to key stakeholders, including senior management.
• Demonstrable experience in providing advice to projects and business change initiatives, to ensure compliance and alignment with information rights policies.
• Demonstrable experience in provision of high-quality written and verbal advice suitable for all levels of staff including senior level decision makers.
• Demonstrable experience of working on multiple workstreams and reprioritising work to meet changing business needs, often delivering to short deadlines.
• A proven record of developing collaborative working relationships within the group and with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficient IT skills to support delivery of work, including an ability to use Microsoft Office packages.

Desirable:

• Experience within a complex, public sector organisation.
• Experience of providing information governance support to business change programmes.
• Experience in knowledge and information management services delivery.
• Experience of leading and managing a team and being accountable for when and how results will be achieved.
• Experience of financial management.
• Experience of risk management.
• Experience of delivering training and/or presentation skills.
• Experience of project management.

[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.