Job Description

UKRI
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.

Closing Date: Tuesday 14th April 2026.

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the role

The Information Governance Group supports UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in meeting its statutory responsibilities under information rights legislation, including the Data Protection Act and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), and the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations.

The Information Rights Manager will support the Group in embedding strategy, policy, and culture to ensure UKRI meets its legal obligations, and promoting best practice in information governance and transparency.

They will provide advice on information rights across UKRI, including to change programmes and large projects. They will also support the development and implementation of policy and guidance in this area, and the delivery of training.

The role requires an in depth understanding and good working knowledge of data protection and freedom of information legislation.

Your responsibilities:

Reporting to a Senior Information Rights Manager, the Information Rights Manager will:

• Provide expert advice on information rights, including conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), supporting data protection by design and by default, and advising on accountability and transparency, and information rights requests and access.
• Prepare responses to data subject rights and FOI/EIR requests, and support others across the team in responding to complex cases, including data protection complaints and FOI internal reviews. This includes gathering contributions from across UKRI, evaluating the information provided, advising on applicable exemptions, drafting responses (including public interest tests), and preparing information for release, applying redactions where necessary.
• Support the review and development of information rights policies, procedures, processes, and guidance, and promoting good practice through a variety of channels.
• Pro-actively review new and emerging guidance, legislation, standards etc, and work with others across the Group to respond to and disseminate change.
• Undertake any other tasks as may be required, including support to other teams across the Group.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working with data protection legislation in a complex organisation (S&I).
• Proven ability to interpret legislation and guidance relating to data protection (I).
• Effective communication skills (S&I).
• Strong team working skills, with the ability to engage effectively with subject matter experts and other stakeholders beyond the immediate team. (S&I).
• Ability to formulate clear advice to stakeholders on information rights legal, regulatory and policy issues (I).
• Effective written skills and attention to detail (S&I).
• Ability to multi-task, prioritise own workload, and work proactively (S&I).
• Flexible approach to working to meet changing business priorities, and meet targets and deadlines (S&I).
• Proficient IT skills (S).
• Demonstrable analytical, research and problem-solving skills (I).
  

Desirable

• Professional data protection qualification (or equivalent). (S).
• Experience of working in a public sector organisation. (S).
• Experience working with Freedom of Information legislation/Environmental Information Regulations. (S&I).

• Proven ability to interpret legislation and guidance relating to Freedom of Information (I).

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.