Directorate Support Manager; FOI & Information Rights – AR

Directorate Support Manager (FOI & Information Rights)

Rate: £25.13 PAYE per hour

Contract: Temporary/Contract

We are seeking an experienced Directorate Support Manager to lead the operational delivery of Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and related information rights requests within a busy local authority environment.

This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end FOI process, ensuring statutory deadlines are met, maintaining high standards of compliance, and leading a small team responsible for information request handling. The successful candidate will act as a key advisor on information rights legislation and support continuous improvement across the service.

• Manage and oversee the day-to-day handling of Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and related information rights requests.
• Ensure responses are accurate, compliant, and issued within statutory timescales.
• Line manage and support Directorate Support Officers, including workload allocation, performance management, coaching, and development.
• Act as the escalation point for complex, sensitive, high-profile, or overdue information requests.
• Review draft responses, disclosures, exemptions, red actions, and supporting documentation to ensure legal compliance.
• Coordinate and manage internal reviews, complaints, and correspondence with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
• Work closely with service managers and stakeholders across the organisation to obtain information and improve response performance.
• Produce performance reports, monitor KPIs, and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for service improvement.
• Develop and improve processes, guidance, templates, and working practices relating to information rights requests.
• Deliver advice, guidance, and awareness training on FOI, EIR, information governance, and records management requirements.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, data protection requirements, and organisational policies.

• Experience managing Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests.
• Strong understanding of information rights legislation, exemptions, red actions, and disclosure requirements.
• Previous experience managing or supervising staff.
• Experience handling complex cases, internal reviews, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to monitor performance, manage caseloads, and meet statutory deadlines.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with in local government, public sector, or a similar regulated environment is highly desirable.

Candidates may currently hold positions such as:

• FOI Manager
• Information Rights Manager
• FOI Team Leader
• Information Governance Manager
• Senior Information Governance Officer
• Information Compliance Manager

• Competitive hourly rate of £25.13 PAYE.
• Opportunity to lead a key compliance function within a local authority.
• Varied and impactful role with responsibility for operational management, compliance, and service improvement.