Information Governance Manager
Team: Digital and Data Solutions
Ref No: 2026018
Grade: S (SEO)
Type of appointment: Permanent
Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen
Salary: £41,525
Closing Date: 23:55 on Sunday, 14 June 2026
A Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata, may be agreed. This allowance is discretionary and will depend on candidate’s qualifications and experience.
This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen.
JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from one of our office bases for a few days a month as a minimum with attendance expected at regular face to face team meetings. Arrangements will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages.
Who are JNCC?
Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 300 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen.
Why JNCC?
We’re small enough (c.300 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role.
JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment.
Hours of work: Full-time
Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.
Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.
Annual Leave:
The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.
Post background
At JNCC, effective knowledge, information, and data management is vital to our role in advising UK governments and partners on how to best deliver positive outcomes for nature. As Information Governance Manager, you will be central to embedding a culture of robust management, working across the organisation to lead, coordinate and support knowledge, information & data governance policies, processes, and technologies.
You will lead the information management and data protection function at the organisation, supported by an Information Governance Officer (direct report), information asset owners across JNCC, and the Defra Data Protection Officer. The information management teamlet forms part of the Digital and Data Solutions Team, a multi-disciplinary team focused on delivering great digital and data services for our users.
It is an exciting time to be joining the organisation, as we are in the early stages of implementing our 2030 Digital Strategy, so this is an ideal opportunity for an individual to shape strategic outcomes for real impact for colleagues and stakeholders. The ‘Managing Assets’ pillar of the digital strategy focuses on modernising how information flows through JNCC, safeguarding and optimising our data and information resources, using effective management to maximise value and upholding stakeholder trust.
In the role, you can expect to work across corporate information management and advising on information governance for individual projects and programmes of work, supporting biodiversity and nature conversation in the UK and internationally.
Expertise and experience in data protection and data management would be helpful but evidence of transferable skills – training, support and advice will be available. The successful candidate would be expected to take, and pass, the UK GDPR Practitioner Certificate within six months of appointment.
Post Duties:
The successful postholder will work with the Information Governance Officer and Digital and Data Team Leaders to shape and develop the Information Management capability at JNCC. The main duties of the post are to:
- Strategic Implementation & Leadership: Shape and coordinate the successful delivery of JNCC’s Information Management aims, translating the ambitious vision into an achievable action plan to safeguard, utilise, and maximise value of JNCC’s information.
- Policy, Compliance, and Expert Guidance: Develop, implement, and maintain core Data Governance and KIM policies covering the full information lifecycle. You will provide expert advice on complex information management issues, such as quality assurance, safeguarding controls, master data management, and development of standards.
- Data Protection: act as JNCC’s Data Protection Manager, liaising with DEFRAs Data Protection Officer (DPO) and providing advice on complying with Data Protection legislation in line with Defra group guidance and standards, including use of Privacy Notices, Data Sharing Agreements and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
- KIM Asset Management: be responsible for understanding and managing the organisational KIM risks and issues, and co-ordinating with asset owners to accept, mitigate or resolve them.
- Training and Upskilling: Deliver training, workshops, and meetings to identify issues, propose solutions and continuously develop KIM practices and data protection knowledge of colleagues across JNCC.
- Team and Management Oversight: Provide effective line management for one H grade Information Governance Officer, offering clear direction and support to deliver against departmental objectives.
Technical:
To be a successful candidate you will be/have:
- Deep technical understanding and practical experience in the administration, configuration, and strategic management of M365 or alternative technologies for electronic document and records management and collaboration. (e.g. MS Purview, MS SharePoint).
- Ability to translate complex information management and data protection advice into clear, practical guidance for a wide range of stakeholders, from senior leaders to operational teams.
- Good understanding of data protection issues (trainable).
- A qualification in a relevant field, including Information Management, Archives and Records Management, Data Protection, or Digital Curation (desirable).
Experience (Responsibilities)
To be a successful candidate you will have:
- Demonstrable experience in a Knowledge and Information Management or Records Management role, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex KIM services.
- Demonstrable experience designing, developing, and implementing information management policies and practices across an organisation.
- Expertise in applying and interpreting key UK information management legislation and regulations, including the UK Public Records Act, Data Protection Act/UK GDPR, and Freedom of Information Act.
- Proven ability to effectively manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously, strategically prioritising workload to meet challenging deadlines.
Behaviours
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Managing a Quality Service.
Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
JNCC do not provide sponsorship.
Closing date and interview date
The closing date for this post is 23:55 on Sunday 14 June 2026
The anticipated interview date is week commencing Monday 29 June 2026
Please note that candidates invited to interview will be asked to undertake a technical skills assessment on the same day as their interview.