Data Governance Manager

Inside IR35 – circa £500
Immediate initial 6-month contract opportunity for an experienced Governance & Assurance Manager who will provide technical expertise and leadership in the delivery and continuous improvement of existing risk strategy and processes across Digital and Data Services.
To be considered for this role you must:
Have experienced in leading internal audits and assessments during audit engagements
Be able to demonstrate the ability to manage risk assessments related to data security, privacy and compliance
The role:
Strengthen the understanding and application of effective risk management across the teams that plan, deliver and support digital infrastructure, programmes and projects is of key importance in this role.
Will be achieved through educating and supporting staff and senior management to ensure that material risks are captured, managed and escalated effectively through the employment of risk management tools and practices such as risk appetite statements, horizon scanning/upstream risk identification and effective, efficient risk reporting processes.
The post holder will also manage a range of activities that support the delivery of the Assurance Framework and the Annual Assurance Plan. This will involve, working closely with colleagues from ‘frontline’ teams to deliver process reviews or routine assurance activities that identify weaknesses in existing controls and developing solutions or assurance activities to mitigate these risks.
Risk:
Lead risk assessments and analysis related to data security, privacy and compliance.
Managing the delivery & operational risks and issues - working with the teams on the ground to help manage project, delivery, operational, project product and service risks. Existing / new items risk profiles.
Challenging and assuring the risk is articulated correctly with strong mitigation actions and escalated appropriately.
Monitor regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with data protection regulation.
Lead internal audits and assessments during audit engagements.
Providing independent risk management advice and supporting colleagues to strengthen their understanding and application of effective risk and issue management across Digital and Data Services.
Lead internal audits and assessments during audit engagements on behalf of Digital and Data Services, including liaising with internal or external auditors, coordinating meetings and responses, and ensuring outputs are actions on time and in full.
Ensuring the Risk and Issue register is maintained, risks and issues are routinely reviewed, and that new and emerging risks are identified, recorded, and mitigated effectively, providing guidance and challenge to risk owners and the leadership team where necessary.
Leading a network of local risk managers in Digital Services to provide subject matter expertise where needed, share good practice and ensure common approach, understanding and that processes are applied consistently across digital functions and project teams. To develop and build confidence and capability amongst this network.
Managing the provision of high-quality papers and reports for the internal committees and boards, ensuring issues or risks requiring escalation are identified and communicated to the Director of Digital and Data Services and/or the Senior Leadership Team.
Ensuring that all risk and issue processes with Digital and Data Services align with the wider risk framework and support the development of framework and tools.
Working closely and collaboratively, supporting the Head of Risk & Assurance to escalate risks and issues to the Strategic Risk Register as necessary, sharing good practice and ensuring consistency of approach across the organisation.
Where requiring, providing the above activities and support to other digital teams and wider Corporate Services functions within, as required
Assurance:
Working closely with frontline teams and internal stakeholders to identify, scope and deliver risk-based assurance reviews and routine assurance activities to agreed timelines.
Keep up to date with developments across the organisation, promoting the work of the Risk and Assurance Team and best practice in Risk and Assurance to ensure Digital and Data Services is effectively administering its programmes.
Assist in the day-to-day supervision of junior team members, where requested.
Experience required:
Deep knowledge and understanding of current Risk Management theory, best practice and how this can be applied in real world scenarios
Must have governance assurance in risk space (delivery, operational and transitional risk)
Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to build effective stakeholder relationships and excellent working relationships with a wide range of teams and individuals.
Able to operate and communicate effectively across all internal and external organisational levels, including confidence to negotiate with and influence senior and executive managers.
Ability to review, provide scrutiny and challenge processes and documents created by other teams.
Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills and good attention to detail.
Understanding of tech delivery – need on the ground experience.
Working closely with delivery team
Writing risk reports – full understanding of risk lifecycle. Not just regurgitate the information on to paper.
2nd half of the role is more focussed around BAU activities.
Change activity and portfolio management
Help/ support Data and AI teams around risk
Able to work in a fast-paced environment which can sometimes be unstructured so requires to be adaptable.
Desirable:
Data and Digital experience
A good understanding of HMT Risk Management advice for government departments
A degree or professional qualification in risk management and/or Membership of the Institute of Risk Managers is desirable but not essential as relevant work experience is equally important