> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1326509-data-governance-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1326509-data-governance-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Data Governance Lead - **Company:** Government Digital Service - **Location:** London, UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £56,850.0 - £61,620.0 - **Contract:** Temporary to permanent - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Governance, SC Clearance - **Published:** July 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=695638fffc1d81c8 ## About the Role * Data Protection & Privacy qualifications - holding a relevant privacy qualification such as IAPP (CIPP/E, CIPM) or BCS (ISEB), or have relevant experience * expert knowledge of PECR and tracking technologies, including cookies, analytics, experimentation and other storage and access technologies, with demonstrable experience of applying privacy-by-design and proportionate compliance in complex digital services * demonstrable experience of leading data protection teams to enable the organisation to achieve its strategic objectives, underpinned by a positive, proactive leadership approach with a commitment to collaboration and governance * experience at delivering at pace, meeting challenging and changing operational and legal deadlines * strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships in a flexible and fast-changing environment * a good understanding of new and emerging technologies and the opportunities they provide to improve the delivery of public services in the UK, including AI * experience of risk management and the ability to balance risks against operational, technical and commercial requirements, * have Data Protection & Privacy qualifications - holding a relevant privacy qualification such as IAPP (CIPP/E, CIPM) or BCS (ISEB), or have relevant experience In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role. For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: * leadership * making effective decisions * communicating and influencing * working together We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Data Governance Manager role: * data ethics and privacy * enabling and informing risk-based decisions ## Description The Data Governance Team, as part of the GDS Product, Strategy, Planning and Performance directorate, provides specialist expertise and leadership across the Government Digital Service. The Data Governance team has an excellent track record for their enabling and pragmatic attitudes to support delivery teams in achieving GDS’s strategic objectives at a fast pace whilst balancing robust data protection compliance. The core focus of this role will be working in close partnership with the GOV.UK Performance Analytics team. Analytics plays a critical role in understanding how users interact with GOV.UK, identifying where services can be improved, and ensuring that government information is accessible, effective and safe for all users. This role will provide specialist data protection leadership for analytics design and implementation, shaping how user-centred insight can be generated in a way that is lawful, ethical and transparent. The postholder will support the responsible use of data across GOV.UK by embedding privacy-by-design approaches, advising on the use of cookies, tracking technologies and experimentation, and helping teams navigate the interaction between PECR, data protection law and emerging policy frameworks. This work is central to maintaining public trust in GOV.UK and wider GDS products, ensuring that insight-driven decision-making strengthens, rather than compromises, users’ confidence in government digital services. As a Data Governance Lead, you will cover: * PECR, cookies & tracking technologies: provide expert advice on compliance with PECR and data protection law in relation to analytics, cookies and other tracking technologies, including assessing lawful routes, advising on consent models, and embedding privacy-by-design into analytics implementation * leadership: play an active role in the Data Governance leadership team * data protection compliance: design and implement privacy and data protection controls for the products and processes GDS creates, including the delivery of Data Protection Impact Assessments to ensure the GDS Product Group complies with data protection law by delivering flexible and pragmatic governance practices that enable delivery at pace * privacy by design and risk management: lead the delivery of high quality Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Privacy Notices and Records of Processing Activities for new projects at pace * training and awareness: oversee training to ensure GDS staff understand data protection obligations and best practices, fostering a culture of data privacy at all levels * excellent communication and relationship management: Work closely with GDS colleagues to build trust. Deliver high quality written and verbal briefings to all levels, including delivery managers and senior management. Explain technical detail to non technical staff * external stakeholder engagement: Work closely with external stakeholders such as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and privacy groups to ensure compliance and address queries * support the Deputy Head and Head of Data Governance: Provide proactive support to the heads to manage and lead on compliance, identify risks, the development of data governance strategies and deliver strategic objectives * workload management and prioritisation: prioritise your time and the time of your team effectively to manage a high volume, fast paced and frequently evolving workload. Manage workloads to ensure that priorities align with strategic and team objectives and that deadlines are met, * a simple application screening process - we only ask for a CV, responses to 2 knockout questions and a security check question Important tip - please ensure that your responses include how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above * a 20 minute phone screen * a 60 minute video interview Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise. In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is, A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made. The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Sponsorship DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Security: Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check . See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., * 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) * 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 ## Related Videos - [Data Governance in the Era of AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1622-data-governance-in-the-era-of-ai) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Beyond Gut Feelings: The Rise of Data-Driven HR](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1326-beyond-gut-feelings-the-rise-of-data-driven-hr) - [AI PowerPlay: Building High-Impact Teams & Transformative Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1005-ai-powerplay-building-high-impact-teams-transformative-solutions) - [Unlocking Value from Data: The Key to Smarter Business Decisions-](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1367-unlocking-value-from-data-the-key-to-smarter-business-decisions) - [Algorithmic Bias- Preventing Unfairness in your Algorithms](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/43-algorithmic-bias-preventing-unfairness-in-your-algorithms) ## Related Articles - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [UK Business Culture and Etiquette](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/326-uk-business-culture-and-etiquette) - [IT Salaries in UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/288-it-salaries-in-uk) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)