Head of Information Governance

The Insolvency Service is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Information Governance to support the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in leading the Insolvency Service's information governance function.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring that information governance is embedded across the organisation and supports effective decision-making, organisational change and service delivery.

The successful candidate will provide expert leadership across information governance, data protection, information rights, records management and data governance. They will lead the implementation and continual improvement of Microsoft Purview controls, oversee information lifecycle management, and modernise statutory information rights services including Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs).

Working closely with senior leaders, DBIST colleagues and specialist teams across technology, cybersecurity and legal services, the postholder will help shape organisational strategy, manage information risks and ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to deliver information governance strategy, advise senior leaders and embed governance across organisational change
• Lead Microsoft Purview governance across Microsoft 365, covering classification, retention, data loss prevention, audit and electronic evidence discovery; modernise workflows through controlled automation and AI with human oversight
• Provide expert data protection advice, oversee privacy impact assessments and data sharing, and embed privacy safeguards in new technology and services within DBT arrangements
• Oversee Freedom of Information, Subject Access Requests and applicable Environmental Information Regulations requests, advising on complex cases and supporting regulatory engagement
• Strengthen information risk and assurance arrangements with specialist teams and Information Asset Owners, advise on breaches and incidents, and report performance, compliance and significant risks to senior governance forums
• Provide records management leadership and support data governance, ensuring lawful retention and secure disposal while improving data ownership, quality, access and use
• Develop practical policies, guidance and training, build organisational capability and use evidence, feedback and lessons learned to improve services

Requirements:

• Relevant professional qualification or significant equivalent experience in one or more of the following: Data protection/privacy, Information governance, Information rights, Records and information management, Information security, Data governance
• Significant experience in information governance, data protection, information rights, records management or a related field, with practical UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 expertise and strong knowledge of FOI and transparency requirements
• Experience advising on complex, sensitive governance issues and conducting or overseeing Data Protection Impact Assessments, data sharing arrangements and privacy risk assessments
• Experience managing information risks, developing policies, guidance, training or governance frameworks, and providing concise assurance reports to senior leaders or governance forums

Benefits:

• Salary: £58,686 - £67,284 per year
• Flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• Full-time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years' service
• In addition to this, you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• A Cycle to work scheme
• Staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life