Data Protection Compliance Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced data protection and compliance professional to join our central Head Office team in East Croydon. The Data Protection Compliance Manager role is key to the Federation, as it helps facilitate and assure the organisation's ability to meet its data protection obligations, in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act.

This role serves as the primary point of contact for all matters related to data protection, encompassing the responsibilities of raising awareness, providing training, managing data incidents, and maintaining data protection policies. As the manager, you will also work in collaboration with all Head Office departments and academy Data Champions to enhance data security measures and mitigate legal risks.

This role is essential for safeguarding the interests of students, staff and stakeholders; and reinforcing the Federation's commitment to safeguarding personal data and upholding rigorous standards of data protection compliance.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The role will play an integral part in monitoring, supporting and driving compliance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act and other legal data protection obligations across the Federation and its academies.

The Data Protection Compliance Manager will:

• Be responsible for raising data protection awareness across the Federation and provide training at all levels as required.
• Manage the Federation Data Champion network, across all academies and Head Office functional areas, providing training, general data protection advice and guidance and regular communications.
• Be the focal point for all data incidents and facilitate swift containment as appropriate, writing internal follow-up reports and reporting to the ICO where applicable.
• Design, develop and deliver data protection awareness training for staff, including 'sound bite' training sessions at regular intervals.
• Be responsible for updating and maintaining the suite of Federation Data Protection policies.
• Be responsible for updating and maintaining the Federation's ROPA for Head Office, Primary and Secondary.
• Manage and respond to Data Sharing Agreement requests, adopting a risk-based approach and adhering to Supply Management timelines as appropriate.
• Maintain and update the Federation Data Protection SharePoint site.
• Advise academies and Head Office staff on Subject Access Requests (SARs), ensuring SARs escalated into Head Office are tracked to completion.
• Carry out academy data protection audits as required.
• Track and capture Federation data protection risks in the Data Protection risk register.
• Work with the Head of IT Infrastructure and Head of Cyber Security to improve data security in line with privacy-by-design and industry best practice (ISO27001).
• Work with the IT team to ensure third-party applications only have authorised levels of access to the Federation MIS.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to degree level.
• Working knowledge of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act.
• The ability to assess situations quickly and provide solutions e.g. act on data breaches and advise on swift containment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to and communicate effectively with people at all levels.
• The ability to own and deliver project outcomes.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 Business applications e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Professional working ethic and a commitment to high standards.
• Ability to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people.
• Passion for the education sector and the management of non-teaching functions.

To view the complete job description and person specification, please download the job pack.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.