Islington Council
Data Protection Lead
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Data Protection Lead
Make a real difference – protect data, enable services, and build public trust
At Islington Council, we use data to improve lives. We’re looking for an experienced data protection professional to join our Information and Digital Governance service and help deliver lawful, ethical, and high-quality services for residents.
This is a high-impact corporate role where you’ll help shape how data protection is understood and delivered across a complex organisation.
Why Join Us?
Islington is one of London’s most diverse boroughs, with a clear commitment to serving communities and challenging inequality.
You’ll join a supportive team, working across the council to build a strong culture of privacy, accountability, and trust. We offer:
- Flexible hybrid working (minimum one day in the office)
- A collaborative and inclusive working culture, built on our CARE values (Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, Empowering)
- The opportunity to influence strategic priorities and major organisational initiatives
- A role with real visibility and impact across all directorates
About The Role
As Data Protection Lead, you’ll be the council’s main advisor on day-to-day data protection matters, helping services meet their legal and ethical responsibilities.
You’ll work closely with the Data Protection Service Manager and DPO, providing practical advice and escalating complex or high-risk matters where needed.
Key Responsibilities
You’ll help ensure data is used responsibly and in ways that support better outcomes for communities. In this role, you will:
- Influence how services design and deliver projects
- Strengthen compliance and reduce data protection risk
- Build capability through training and guidance
Day-to-Day Focus
You’ll play a central role in embedding strong data protection practice, including:
- Providing advice and support across the organisation
- Driving assurance, improvement, and privacy-by-design
- Supporting incident response, complaints, and reviews
- Strengthening policies, standards, data sharing, and contracts
What You’ll Be Doing
Your Core Tasks
- Analyse data protection risks and considerations in strategic initiatives
- Deliver practical training and guidance across multiple departments
- Work with teams to embed data protection principles into service design
- Escalate high-risk or complex issues to senior management
- Maintain up-to-date policies, guidance, and compliance checks
- Represent the organisation in legal and regulatory matters relating to data protection
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Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone with strong technical knowledge, sound judgement, and the ability to influence stakeholders in complex environments.
Essential Criteria
You will bring: ✔ Experience in a data protection or information governance role ✔ Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and associated data protection requirements ✔ Experience delivering training and embedding best practice ✔ Confidence working with senior stakeholders in high-pressure environments ✔ Clear communication skills, able to provide practical, proportionate advice
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Most importantly, you’ll be committed to making data protection meaningful and accessible—not just compliant.
How To Apply
For further information or an informal conversation about the post, please contact: [Name and Job Title] Joe Luxton, Data Protection Service Manager 📧 [email protected]
Note to Recruitment Agencies
We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should external support be required.
Thorough your understanding in advance.
About Islington Council
Our Commitment
We are Islington, a place rich with diversity and culture. Our sense of purpose is to serve our communities every day. We are determined to:
- Challenge inequality
- Create a more equal borough where everyone can thrive
- Embrace the CARE values (Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, Empowering)
Our People Culture
Everyone at Islington Council lives by these values. We:
- Support colleagues with a healthy work-life balance
- Offer flexible working arrangements
- Prioritise learning and development
- Support local communities through partnerships and discounts
Seeking beyond compliance, the mission is clear: trust through competence.
About Our Offer
Benefits
Our commitment to equality and inclusion ensures a workplace where everyone matters. Our staff benefits include:
✅ Up to 31 days’ leave annually (increasing to 36 days after five years in local government) ✅ Flexible working arrangements and a 35-hour working week for better work-life balance ✅ Learning and development opportunities to maximise growth ✅ Competitive pay, including the London Living Wage (minimum) ✅ Excellent local government pension scheme ✅ Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships ✅ Local discounts – use your council club card for premium savings across restaurants, shops, health, beauty, and more
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💡 Note for Internal Candidates: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees in the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
Workforce EEDI Statement
(Equality, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workforce where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We emphasise equality under the Equality Act 2010, with a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment, covering factors such as:
- Race
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Sex or gender identity
- Religion/Belief
- Age
- Pregnancy/Maternity Status
We monitor progress through data and cross-journey reviews and actively listen to every colleague’s needs. By collaborating with Colleague Forums, Trade Unions, and senior management allies, we foster an inclusive culture that supports:
🔹 Dignified workforce engagement 🔹 Open channels for ideas and challenges 🔹 Intersectional advocacy that tackles unique barriers
An inclusive Islington Council arises through collective daily commitment to Honouring CARE values and championing equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Pre-Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will require:
📝 Successful completion of mandatory pre-employment checks, including:
- Proof of address
- Name change documentation (where applicable)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas criminal record check (if required)
- References (external and previous employment)
- Occupational Health clearance
- Professional qualifications/registration verification
- Enhanced DBS check (where applicable)
Safeguarding Responsibility
We uphold safeguarding as a core duty, ensuring protection for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This may involve submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Disability Confident Scheme
Islington Council's Guaranteed Interview Scheme is available to candidates with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment are provided upon request.
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