Data Security Governance and Compliance Leads

hackajob is collaborating with Barclays to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. Barclays is seeking a Data Security Governance & Compliance Lead to provide leadership across the bank’s enterprise data security governance. This role acts as the single point of accountability for defining, maintaining, and enforcing the organisation’s data security strategy, policies, and regulatory alignment.

You will lead a centralised governance function that ensures data protection controls are consistent, effective, and regulator‑defensible across all business units and geographies. Sitting at the intersection of cyber security, data ownership, and regulatory oversight, the role works closely with the CISO, CDO, Privacy, Cryptography, and Data Protection Operations teams to ensure data risks are managed in a coordinated and scalable manner.

This is a highly influential role for an experienced leader who can balance regulatory rigour, business enablement, and executive engagement in a complex global environment.

To be successful as a Data Security Governance & Compliance Lead, you should have experience with

• Data Security Governance & Policy Leadership - Proven ability to define, own, and enforce enterprise‑wide data security policies, standards, and governance frameworks in a regulated environment, covering areas such as data classification, DLP, encryption, and access controls.
• Regulatory & Risk Management Expertise - Deep understanding of data protection and security regulations (e.g. GDPR, banking regulatory standards) and the ability to demonstrate compliance through robust governance, metrics, and audit or regulator engagement.
• Senior Stakeholder Influence & Leadership - Strong capability to influence senior executives and cross‑functional leaders (CISO, CDO, CTO, Privacy, Operations) and lead teams within a global, matrixed organisation, without relying solely on direct authority.

Some Other Highly Valued Skills May Include

• Senior Leadership Experience with in Global Financial Services - Experience leading enterprise‑wide governance activities in a senior role within a global financial institution, navigating complex regulatory and compliance environments.
• Professional Security or Privacy Certifications - Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CIPM/CIPT, or ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor, demonstrating depth in security governance and data protection.
• Awareness of Emerging Data & AI Security Topics - Knowledge of emerging data security technologies and AI‑related security considerations, supporting effective horizon scanning and future‑proofing of the data security governance strategy.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

This role is based in Knutsford.

Purpose of the role

To provide a primary liaison service between the business, technology, and security functions. In order to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, and support the mitigation of security risk.

Accountabilities

• Collaboration with stakeholders to understand their security requirements in business processes and IT projects, to enhance overall risk management.
• Execution of risk assessments to identify and prioritise potential cybersecurity threats that could impact the bank's operations and data and guide the implementation of mitigation strategies and communicate findings to relevant senior stakeholders.
• Collaboration with business units to develop and implement security policies and procedures for the bank's operations aligned to the risk management framework.
• Management of the implementation, testing and monitoring of security controls across the bank’s IT systems to ensure the effectiveness of controls and mitigation of risk.
• Execution of training content and sessions to educate employees, enhance cybersecurity awareness and provide guidance on safe online practices.
• Management of complex cybersecurity incidents by collaborating with IT teams and response experts to effectively…