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# Data Governance and Protection Lead

- **Company:** UK Atomic Energy Authority
- **Location:** Culham, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £59,987.0
- **Contract:** Temporary contract
- **Skills:** Cyber Security, Data Validation, Data Governance, Data Security, Data Systems, Information Management, Metadata, Data Management
- **Published:** September 19, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5890098355

## About the Role

* Degree (or relevant experience) in a Library, Information Management or STEM subject
 * Significant experience in data governance, information protection, data management, or information management within a complex organisation.
 * Practical experience operating data governance frameworks, information protection controls and related tools (e.g. Microsoft Purview or equivalent).
 * Experience performing and analysing data quality checks.
 * Strong understanding of data standards, metadata, governance processes and secure information handling.

Desirable

 * Familiarity with KIM frameworks, DAMA-DMBOK, information protection standards or relevant ISO standards.
 * Experience supporting compliance, audit, or assurance activities.
 * Experience producing KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting.
 * Professional accreditation or working towards chartered status in a relevant discipline.
 * Experience in research, engineering and / or industrial organisations.

## Description

The Data Governance and Information Protection Lead will work closely with the Knowledge & Information Manager and Head of Data Solutions to develop and continuously improve data governance and information protection practices across UKAEA.

As an internal specialist, you will operate the enterprise data governance framework and information protection controls, ensuring data is compliant, well managed, appropriately classified, protected, and securely accessed and shared.

You will also help align data governance and information protection with UKAEA's information architecture and Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) direction, supporting greater organisational maturity, accountability, risk visibility and secure knowledge sharing.

In this role, you will analyse governance and information protection issues, recommend process and system improvements, and provide specialist advice to influence consistent practice across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

 * Data Governance, KIM & Compliance: Operate and continuously improve the enterprise data governance framework, aligned with KIM strategy, information architecture and organisational priorities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and internal policies.
 * Metadata, Standards, Protection & Data Quality: Manage enterprise metadata and governance tools, including Microsoft Purview, ensuring consistent application of data standards, classification, labelling and secure handling, while monitoring data quality and access across priority datasets.
 * Risk, Monitoring & Reporting: Maintain visibility of data and information risks, monitor protection controls and governance effectiveness, and develop KPIs, dashboards and reports to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
 * Advice, Collaboration & Continuous Improvement: Provide specialist advice on data governance, information protection and KIM practices, working with teams and data owners across UKAEA to embed consistent approaches and deliver practical improvements.
 * Projects, Resources & Capability: Manage assigned governance and information protection activities, contributing to resource and tooling planning, capability development and the prioritisation of governance activities., UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role.


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