Information Governance and Complaints Manager

Information Governance and Complaints Manager (Data Protection Officer)

Location: Lyndhurst, Hampshire

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: £59,530 – £62,869 per annum (up to £65,089 for exceptional performance)

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 21st June 2026

We’re excited to be looking for a new Information Governance and Complaints Manager (Data Protection Officer) to lead, develop and manage our expert team of data and complaints professionals, and be responsible for the strategic and operational aspects of data protection compliance, information governance (including FOIA and EIR requirements), and corporate complaints.

This is a senior, high-impact role with the independence, visibility, and authority to shape how data protection operates across our Council. You’ll work closely with senior leadership, challenge constructively, and help embed practical, commercially focused privacy thinking into a fast-moving environment.

Requirements:

• Proven experience operating as a Data Protection Officer within a complex organisation.
• Recognised data protection qualification (or be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister).
• Familiarity with corporate complaints processes, including matters referred to the Ombudsman.

• 28 days plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week’s leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service.
• Hybrid working, with flexibility across our sites, and home working.
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs).
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice.
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, and leisure providers.
• Cycle to Work Scheme, helping you save around 40 percent on bikes and accessories.
• Values‑led organisation, guided by our LEAF values (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness).
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your growth.
• A supportive, inclusive culture, where everyone is welcomed and valued.
• Buying and selling of annual leave.
• We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and offer a range of active staff networks, including:

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group
• LGBTQ+ Network
• Women’s Network
• Early Careers Network
• Neurodiversity Network

• Lead the Council’s strategic and policy approach to information governance and complaints handling.
• Proactively and regularly liaise with officers from across the Council, and provide independent oversight and challenge.
• Act as the Council’s Data Protection Officer and carry out all associated duties.
• Apply sound professional judgement and advise on practical solutions to information governance and issues arising from corporate complaints.
• Ensure the Council’s arrangements for dealing with complaints, and the Council’s response to complaints, are legally compliant and reflect good practice.
• Lead and manage a team of approx. 4 officers responsible for information governance and complaints, and advise and guide officers across the Council on complaints administered within their areas as necessary.
• Act as a point of escalation for all information governance and complaints matters, including carrying out independent internal reviews of FOIA and EIR responses.
• Deliver training to managers, officers and councillors on information governance and complaints requirements.
• Assist and advise the Council’s committees, councillors and all directorates on information governance issues and complaint activity, and provide support and training as necessary.

At NFDC we recognise that every colleague – whether in operational, frontline, or office‑based roles – plays a vital part in delivering high‑quality services to our communities.

We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the work they do and the strengths they bring.

We aim to foster a culture where people feel confident to share ideas, contribute their expertise, and develop through meaningful conversations with their managers and supported learning opportunities. While we have our corporate values, LEAF Learning Empathy Ambition Fairness, we…