Head of Data Security & IG (Deputy DPO)
Job summary
The Head of Data Security & IG (& Deputy DPO) is responsible for ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal, regulatory, and NHS standards relating to information governance, data protection, and confidentiality.
This role will drive the strategic development of information governance for the ICB and the partners of the ICS and will be responsible for developing and implementing a fit for purpose information governance framework that takes account of best practice from national policy. This will include solution focused recommendations to complex information governance challenges across the ICB and in collaboration with ICS partners.
This position provides leadership and expert advice on the management of patient, staff, and corporate information, ensuring that data is handled securely and ethically across all systems and processes.
The postholder will lead the Data Security & Information Governance function, working closely with senior managers, clinicians, and technical teams to embed a culture of compliance and best practice.
The postholder will also be the deputy Data Protection Officer (DPO).
Main duties of the job
The Head of Service plays a senior leadership role within the Integrated Care Board (ICB), supporting the Associate Director and wider leadership team to deliver the organisation's strategic and operational objectives, with extensive communication skills with a wide variety of stakeholders. This is a key position with responsibility for leading the delivery of defined programmes and services, requiring a balance of operational management, system collaboration, and strategic contribution, resulting in highly complex plans and communications. The purpose includes:
- To lead, manage, and coordinate a portfolio of services or programmes, ensuring effective delivery against agreed priorities.
- To support the Associate Director and Director in implementing ICB and system strategies that improve outcomes, quality, and efficiency.
- To provide visible and inclusive leadership, promoting a culture of collaboration, improvement, and accountability across teams and partners, communicating effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders and teams, including highly complex and sensitive information, and responding to scrutiny of plans.
- To contribute to system integration and transformation by working across organisational boundaries and supporting the development of sustainable, person-centered services.
About us
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes and to recognising and valuing people's differences. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, values and behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers patient outcomes.
We are committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their full potential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protected characteristic. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone, including making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition and support with the recruitment process for people with lived experience.
We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.
We operate a Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. We actively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please inform us of any adjustments you may require.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For additional information on role responsibilities please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Educated to Master's level or extensive equivalent level of experience in a relevant field (e.g. health, care, public services, management, or related discipline).
- Evidence of continuous professional development, with a track record of keeping skills and knowledge current.
- Significant experience at Senior Management (sub board) within the NHS, public sector, or a comparable complex system.
- Data Protection Officer (DPO) Qualification or equivalent level of experience in this field.
Knowledge
- Experience in providing expert specialist knowledge in relation to Data Protection and Information governance e.g. confidentiality, Data Protection Act, Health and Social Care Act including the requirements/implications of new systems or products to the ICB.
- Leadership experience in a complex, multi-agency environment, ideally within health and care commissioning.
- Demonstrable success in delivering organisational change, transformation, and integration at scale.
- Deep understanding of the NHS, Integrated Care Systems, and the wider health and care policy context, including the priorities of the NHS 10 Year Plan and statutory duties of an ICB.
- Strong track record in delivery of strategic planning, commissioning, and/or system-wide service redesign to improve outcomes and value for money.
- Evidence of working effectively with a broad range of partners, including local authorities, providers, community organisations, and national bodies.
- Experience of leading in a politically sensitive environment and balancing competing demands with diplomacy and sound judgement.
Skills
- Clear and effective communication and influencing skills, with the ability to convey complex issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Strong relationship-building and partnership-working capabilities, able to develop trust and credibility quickly across organisational boundaries.
- Highly developed analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data to inform strategy, decision-making, and performance improvement. Proven ability to operate with political astuteness, demonstrating awareness of the wider political and strategic environment.
- Strong financial acumen, with the ability to ensure robust stewardship of public funds and alignment of resources to strategic priorities.
- Skilled in managing complexity and ambiguity, making sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining focus on long-term goals while managing immediate challenges.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Central East ICB
Address
Central East ICB
Ely
CB7 4EA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/