Job Vacancy Senior Data Governance Lead - MHCLG - G7

As the Senior Data Governance Lead, you’ll have: 

• experience of designing, implementing and monitoring adherence to data governance policies and good practice across the data and/or product life cycle  

• good knowledge of UK data protection law (including UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018) and ethical requirements, with proven experience applying it in public sector operational and/or service delivery environments 

• experience identifying, assessing, and managing data protection risks, including supporting mitigation actions in collaboration with relevant teams 

• experience and knowledge of identifying opportunities for innovating with data to improve existing digital services and deliver new priorities, in a public sector context or complex multi-organisation environment  

• proven ability to identify and resolve data governance issues, influence stakeholders, and manage relationships effectively across organisational boundaries 

• excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex data governance concepts clearly and appropriately to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior decision-makers. Able to present information effectively in written, verbal, and visual formats to support understanding, engagement, and informed decision-making 

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving

• Making Effective Decisions

• Working Together

• Leadership

Bristol, Manchester, Wolverhampton

Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives.   

Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.   

This is a great opportunity in the Elections Directorate in MHCLG, which is responsible for a challenging and dynamic portfolio covering electoral policy and legislation, research and analysis, security, administration, and digital, with a suite of public and sector facing services, including .

We are looking for an experienced data governance professional to join our welcoming and inclusive Directorate. The post holder will have great communication skills and strong technical expertise, and be motivated, flexible and passionate about working with data and people. They will spearhead the development and implementation of sustainable, robust data governance across Elections Digital and the product lifecycle. This includes setting priorities and embedding these practices so they become self-sustaining and working closely with different teams to integrate governance policy and principles. The Senior Data Governance Lead will build relationships across specialisms and grades in the Directorate, Ministry and wider government to unlock data-driven improvements for electors and stakeholders. 

This is a new role in the Elections Directorate, focusing on ensuring strong data governance supports new opportunities to use data to deliver innovative approaches and improve existing products and services. We are at the beginning of a new programme to deliver Government commitments, including lowering the voting age to 16 years across the UK and improving voter registration. We want data governance to enable trusted, sustainable services that meet the needs and expectations of users 

This role is a great opportunity to shape the data foundations for a high-profile and ambitious programme of work in the Directorate. Learn more about our direction and priorities in our .

We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities our work supports.