Data Protection Compliance Manager (Headquarters, Chelmsford)

Location of Role: Chelmsford 

Advert Closing Date: 23/06/2026 

Starting Salary: £45,765.00 (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 Force’s data protection audit, assurance and compliance arrangements.

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

You will also support the day‑to‑day 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 force‑wide 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 non‑compliance, 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).
• 2–5 years’ experience working in a data‑protection‑led 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 high‑quality 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 home‑based agile, based at Essex Police Headquarters, Chelmsford. The post is worked Monday to Friday, with occasional on‑site 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 force‑wide 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: michelle.watson@essex.police.uk.

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. CV’s, 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 recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. 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 you’re 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 you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t 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 Inclusion are 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.