This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced data protection professional to lead the Data Protection function for core Defra and APHA, supporting one of the most diverse and complex portfolios in government.
The role combines strategic leadership, operational delivery, professional expertise, and influence at the centre of Defra Group Corporate Services. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of Defra’s data protection capability, ensuring that privacy risk is effectively managed while enabling the lawful, and efficient use of personal data across Defra, Defra Group Corporate Services, and APHA.
These functions rely heavily on the processing of personal data relating to customers, stakeholders, and staff. Protecting that information and maintaining public trust is critical to Defra’s mission.
As Head of Data Protection, you will lead and direct core Defra’s operational data protection function, including direct line management of three Grade 7 data protection managers and wider leadership of a specialist team of seven staff. You will act as a senior subject matter expert, shaping approaches to privacy risk, and compliance across core Defra & APHA.
You will work closely with Defra group’s Data Protection Officer and senior stakeholders across policy, operations, security, digital, and corporate services, helping the department to manage risk proportionately while supporting effective delivery and innovation.
Job description
The successful candidate will:
- Lead core Defra’s operational data protection function, setting strategic direction and ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality privacy services.
- Prioritise and direct the work of the Data Protection Team to systematically identify, manage, and reduce privacy and information handling risks.
- Act as the senior escalation point and decision-maker for the most sensitive or complex data protection issues - providing authoritative specialist advice on high-risk data protection matters, including law enforcement processing, large-scale data sharing, artificial intelligence, and other novel technologies.
- Be accountable for the department’s operational data protection compliance framework, including oversight of impact assessments, data sharing arrangements, casework, and assurance activity.
- Support the department’s wider governance, risk and assurance arrangements through reporting, analysis and strategic advice to senior leaders and governance boards.
- Work in close partnership with the Defra group Data Protection Officer, ensuring appropriate support to statutory monitoring and assurance responsibilities while respecting the independence of the DPO role.
- Lead engagement with cross-government data protection, security, and information governance communities to ensure Defra remains aligned with evolving legislation, standards, and best practice.
- Draft, review and implement data protection policies, standards, processes, and guidance, ensuring these remain legally compliant, proportionate, and operationally effective.
Build organisational capability by improving awareness and understanding of data protection obligations across core Defra, Group Corporate Services, and APHA
Team leadership
- Directly manage three Grade 7 managers and provide clear leadership, direction, and professional oversight to the Data Protection Team.
- Ensure the team is appropriately resourced, organised, and resilient to meet changing business demands.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture focused on high-performance, continuous improvement and professional excellence.
- Support staff development through coaching, performance management, learning, and career development activities.
Service Delivery
- Ensure the reliable and effective delivery of operational data protection services across core Defra, Group Corporate Services, and APHA.
- Establish delivery priorities, service standards, and performance expectations.
- Monitor performance, risks, and demand pressures, taking timely action to maintain service quality and resilience.
- Balance organisational delivery with legal and regulatory obligations through pragmatic and proportionate decision-making.
Service Development
- Drive continuous improvement in efficiency, consistency, quality, and user experience, identifying opportunities for innovation, service modernisation, and capability development.
- Support and enable innovation across the organisation while ensuring appropriate privacy safeguards and governance controls are maintained.
- Lead and implement change initiatives to improve organisational capability and compliance maturity.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong and productive relationships with senior stakeholders across Digital, Security, Legal, HR, Finance, Commercial and operational delivery functions.
- Work collaboratively with Security, Knowledge and Information Management (KIM), Legal and Digital colleagues on cross-cutting governance issues.
- Influence strategic decision-making through clear, practical risk-based advice.
- Support the effective management of regulatory, reputational, and operational risks relating to personal data
- Manage the expectations of recipients of the data protection service, pragmatically balancing operational demand with your available resources
Person specification
The Head of Data Protection is expected to demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading operational data protection or information governance services within a large and complex organisation.
- Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and wider information governance principles.
- Experience advising senior stakeholders on complex, high-risk, or sensitive data protection matters.
- Experience leading teams through change, developing capability and delivering high-quality services through others.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and operational pressures.
- Experience developing or implementing data protection policies, frameworks, standards, or governance processes.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or technical issues to non-specialists.
- Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and balancing compliance requirements with organisational delivery objectives.
- Sound judgement and the ability to make effective, risk-based decisions in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
Qualifications
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Data Protection by Design and Default
- Data sharing and privacy risk management
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 16th August 2026
