Data Privacy Manager

Hybrid
(UK Only - Sponsorship is unavailable)

Overview:Reporting to the Data Protection Officer, this role plays a critical part in enabling the responsible use of personal data while ensuring robust control of privacy risks. Operating at the intersection of business strategy, risk management, and regulatory compliance, the role requires strong risk triage capability, the ability to challenge and influence stakeholders, and a clear focus on accountability and demonstrable compliance.A key aspect of the role is delivering pragmatic, business-aligned solutions using structured governance frameworks and tools such as GRC Archer, ensuring that privacy risks are identified, prioritised, and managed effectively.Core ResponsibilitiesPrivacy Risk Triage & Advisory

• Rapidly assess, prioritise and triage complex privacy risks across business initiatives, ensuring proportionate and risk-based decision-making.
• Provide expert, pragmatic advice on compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and associated legislation, balancing regulatory requirements with commercial and operational needs.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, clearly articulating risk exposure, trade-offs, and viable solutions.

Stakeholder Management & Challenge

• Confidently challenge business stakeholders where risk exposure is not adequately controlled, demonstrating strong pushback and negotiation skills.
• Influence decision-making at senior levels, ensuring privacy considerations are embedded early in business processes and change initiatives.
• Translate complex legal and technical issues into clear, actionable insights tailored to non-specialist audiences.

Risk Assessment & Controls (Including GRC Archer)

• Lead Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and privacy risk assessments, ensuring outputs are robust, consistent, and aligned to the risk appetite.
• Leverage GRC Archer (or equivalent systems) to manage risk registers, track remediation actions, and produce auditable evidence of compliance.
• Ensure risks, controls, and issues are accurately logged, tracked, and reported within governance systems.

Incident Management & Escalation

• Oversee the triage and management of personal data incidents, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate escalation.
• Advise on breach risk, regulatory notification thresholds, and remediation actions, escalating material risks to the Data Protection Officer.

Reporting & Accountability

• Produce high-quality, insight-driven reporting on privacy risks, trends, and control effectiveness for senior management and governance committees.
• Develop and maintain clear audit trails demonstrating accountability and compliance with regulatory obligations.
• Embed a strong culture of ownership and accountability across the business for managing privacy risk.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the data protection policy framework and supporting controls.
• Conduct regular control effectiveness reviews and self-assessments, ensuring alignment with recognised frameworks and regulatory expectations.
• Define and track key risk indicators (KRIs) and metrics to provide clear assurance of privacy risk posture.
• Maintain comprehensive compliance documentation (e.g. ROPA), ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness.
• Drive enhancements in governance processes, leveraging automation and tooling (e.g. Archer) to improve efficiency and transparency.

Role RequirementsMinimum Criteria

• Significant experience in privacy, risk, or compliance roles within large, complex organisations.
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and practical application in a business environment.
• Hands-on experience with GRC platforms (preferably RSA Archer) for risk and control management.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT).

Essential Criteria

• Risk Triage Expertise: Proven ability to rapidly assess and prioritise risks, making sound, defensible decisions under pressure.
• Stakeholder Pushback: Confidence and credibility to challenge, negotiate, and influence senior stakeholders, particularly where risk appetite is being tested.
• Strong Business Acumen: Ability to align privacy and risk decisions with broader commercial and operational objectives.
• Accountability Mindset: Takes ownership of outcomes, ensuring risks are clearly articulated, tracked, and managed to resolution.
• Analytical & Pragmatic Thinking: Ability to break down complex issues and deliver proportionate, workable solutions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.

Key Attributes for Success

• Decisive and confident in ambiguity
• Commercially aware and solution-oriented
• Resilient under pressure with competing priorities
• Influential, with strong interpersonal credibility
• Detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspective

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