Data Protection Compliance Manager (Headquarters, Chelmsford)

Location of Role: Chelmsford

Advert Closing Date: 23/06/2026

Starting Salary: 45765.00(pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time:Full Time

Contract Type: Secondment/fixed-term

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri

Weekend/Evening Working: No

Essex Police is recruiting a Data Protection Compliance Manager on a temporary basis until December 2027 the end date may be subject to change to support the delivery of the Forces data protection audit assurance and compliance arrangements.

Reporting to the Force Data Protection Officer the post holder will act as the tactical lead for informationbased risk with a specific focus on personal data breach management and DPIA management and oversight across the organisation.

You will also support the daytoday application of data protection governance including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) information rights activity relating to rectification and deletion and policy and procedure guidance. The role includes line management of data protection resources and may involve deputising for the Force Data Protection Officer where appropriate including supporting forcewide training activity.

Further the role is also responsible for co-ordinating and delivering a programme of audit and assurance activity including site visits and compliance-based audits to identify areas of noncompliance assess risk and support proportionate mitigation. Where residual risk remains the post holder will support escalation through appropriate governance routes as agreed with the Force DPO.

What we are looking for:

At shortlisting we will be looking for essential evidence of:

• Strong working knowledge of data protection legislation (ideally including practical application within a policing or regulatory environment) and a clear understanding of the roles of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) and Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO).
• 25 years experience working in a dataprotectionled environment (i.e. sharing/disclosure of material).
• At least 2 years experience in a supervisory or leadership role demonstrating the ability to coordinate work set standards and support others to deliver consistently highquality outcomes.

In addition it would be helpful if you could evidence:

• A formal data protection qualification (e.g. BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection). If not currently held there is an expectation that this would be achieved in role.
• An information security qualification (e.g. BCS CISMP) and/or experience managing information security incidents and personal data breaches including investigation and mitigation tracking.

Our location

This role is homebased agile based at Essex Police Headquarters Chelmsford. The post is worked Monday to Friday with occasional onsite attendance required to support audit and assurance activity.

What we offer in return

You will work in a role that directly supports public confidence organisational risk management and lawful policing practice. The post offers exposure to forcewide governance senior stakeholders and complex regulatory issues alongside opportunities for professional development within a specialist compliance function.

For further information contact Force Data Protection Officer Michelle Watson who may be contacted via email:

For the full job description please click here.

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the reason for application question within the application form itself. CVs covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your reason for application answer please refer to any experience skills and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age disability gender reassignment marriage or civil partnership status pregnancy or maternity race religion or belief sexual orientation sex or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process or for further information regarding this position please email us at stating Application Support and Adjustments in the title of your email. Alternatively you can call us on . Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If youre not from the UK you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If youre from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesnt apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity Equality and Inclusionare central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks DE&I team and wider HR departments we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.