Strategic Data Governance Lead

Job summary

Can you provide expert leadership and guidance to help shape effective data and AI governance?

Have you got experience working with stakeholders to navigate governance, assurance, data protection or organisational change?

Are you passionate about using data responsibly and helping organisations respond to emerging priorities, policies and standards?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This role sits within the Government Digital and Data Profession and offer an opportunity to play a key part in strengthening data governance and assurance across DVLA.

Working across Information Assurance and Governance (IAG), you will help ensure teams, projects and initiatives are supported by effective governance and assurance. The role, will involve you developing capability, providing strategic advice on data protection, data and AI governance, and helping DVLA respond to emerging government policy, standards and guidance.

This role will support DVLA in maintaining effective governance while keeping pace with the evolving data and AI landscape.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA – Home, Civil Service Careers

Job description

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution within a collaborative and evolving environment. You’ll work alongside colleagues and stakeholders, bringing your expertise, ideas and enthusiasm to help deliver positive outcomes. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, values teamwork and is keen to continue developing their skills and experience.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Serve as a key member of the Information Assurance & Governance Senior Management Team by providing strategic leadership for the Agency's data governance, data management and AI governance agenda.
2. Work closely with the Chief Data Officer and senior business leaders to develop, implement and continuously improve the Agency's data governance, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, business transformation and digital ambitions.
3. Lead the development, implementation and oversight of data governance and AI governance frameworks, policies, standards and operating models, ensuring effective stewardship, accountability and compliance across the organisation.
4. Lead the identification, assessment and management of organisational data risks, ensuring appropriate controls, mitigations and assurance mechanisms are in place to address risks arising from data processing, sharing, retention, emerging technologies and AI-enabled solutions.
5. Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the Agency and wider government landscape, influencing decision-making and promoting best practice in data governance, AI assurance and responsible data use.
6. Horizon-scan emerging legislation, government policy, technologies and best practice relating to data governance, information management and artificial intelligence, assessing organisational impacts and recommending appropriate actions.
7. Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing team of specialists by developing professional capability within the Government Digital & Data Profession and promoting the adoption of data governance best practice.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience of considering the bigger picture, recognising wider organisational priorities and strategies and translating them into prioritised data or governance deliverables that support operational delivery and decision-making.
• Experience in creating, applying or contributing to data and/or AI governance, ensuring appropriate standards, controls and responsible practices are considered.
• Experience of managing or working with data effectively, including its, accessibility, use, ongoing management and protection.
• Experience of advising or influencing senior leaders and technical and non-technical audiences on data related issues, ensuring decisions are evidence-based, proportionate, and aligned to organisational objectives.

Additional Information

All successful candidates will need to either hold, or be willing to work towards, the following qualifications once in post:

• Certificate in Information Security Management Principles
• An industry-recognised Data Protection qualification

We welcome applications from candidates who can speak Welsh and English. Welsh language skills could be useful in this role, but it is not an assessment criterion, so it won’t put you at any disadvantage during recruitment if you aren’t a Welsh speaker. Please note that the application and assessment process will be held in English.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full-time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part-time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices may be required, which could also involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must e