Senior Data Protection Specialist - 18 month FTC

The Group is committed to strong personal data protection in line with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act, and our core values. Respect is central to everything we do, including how we handle personal data.

We have an opportunity to join us on an 18 month FTC as a Data Protection Specialist , this is a critical role in supporting our multi-year strategy to manage data protection risks and ensure compliance.

The role will be responsible for leading and maintaining adherence to UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, ensuring that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently in line with both legal requirements and the Society’s values.

The role holder will develop and implement data protection policies and provide expert advice on best practices to mitigate risks.

The role involves advising on complex data protection issues, including data sharing, profiling, automated decision-making, and high-risk processing activities. You will ensure compliance through compliance monitoring activities and completion of the ICO Accountability Framework. In addition, you will also oversee data protection impact assessments and deliver guidance and training to staff to embed a culture of respect for personal data throughout the business.

Additionally, the role holder will act as a key point of contact for regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability in all data protection matters.

Location: We operate on a team led hybrid approach with at least 1 day a week in the Coventry & / or Manchester office

Benefits:

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme (up to 20% based on company performance)
• Personal pension with matched contributions
• Life assurance (6 times annual salary)

You will form part of the Society’s Data Protection Team, a multi-disciplinary team responding proactively and reactively to the Society’s data protection risks. To be successful in this role it’s essential you have the following

Essential Criteria

• You will have extensive experience and expertise in data protection within the financial services environment
• You can provide complex data protection advice across a diverse range of business functions.
• You will have experience reviewing technical documentation
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are required to influence and collaborate effectively across the Group.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to produce accurate documentation

We’re one of the largest building societies in the UK and we share a mutual goal across our branches and our offices to improve the lives of others.

We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing.

At the beginning of the year, The Co-operative Bank officially became part of our Group. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers, and colleagues.

We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.

All together, better.

Flexibility and why it matters

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role. 

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer

We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.