Principal Information Specialist

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?

For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.

It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

Information Services and Security have a vital role to play in a crucial national mission. We’re here to enable the organisation to deliver through the use of technology. As AWE transforms itself to meet the needs of the UK’s next-generation nuclear deterrent, we need to adapt to deliver data-driven decision making, flexible and future-proofed IT services, adaptable cyber security, support to a multi-billion Pound building programme, and many more.

The scale might be daunting to some, but you’ll find it stimulating. We’ve got a long journey that we’ve only just started and we’re looking for motivated people who can take us in the right direction. Your role will contribute directly to that shared mission. This is a role where you’ll contribute to a legacy of national security for decades to come. So come and join us.

AWE are currently seeking a Principal Information Specialist & Data Protection Officer to play a key role delivering work to continuously improve Information Governance, ensuring that the organisation meets it’s legal and regulatory obligations under Information legislation, including but not limited to the ONR’s Records Management Guidance and associated Nuclear Licence Conditions, Public Records Act (PRA), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and UK GDPR and Data Protection Act (DPA).

Location - Reading

Salary - £58,640 - £80,000 per annum

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

- Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
- Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
- A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
- Life Assurance
- Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
- A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site
- Significant experience of working in a complex regulatory environment, with large scale information, data or oversight experience.
- In depth knowledge of data related government regulatory requirements and emerging trends and issues, including Records Management, Information Security, Data Protection and Information Risk Management
- Extensive experience of leading within a Digital and Data Service, able to co-ordinate and direct diverse areas of work, motivate staff and provide clear and insightful leadership for the Records and Information Management community.
- A strong leader who is an effective communicator, strategically minded and has demonstrable evidence of promoting teamwork, managing complex challenges and setting clear goals.

Key Accountabilities:

- Lead the Information Governance Team, acting as the Data Protection and Deputy Departmental Records Officers
- A member of the Information, Configuration and Knowledge Management senior management team, promoting delivery our strategies and leading on the delivery of core initiatives
- Developing the strategy for services for area of responsibility, ensuring these align to departmental, functional and company strategies.
- Identifying and ensuring effective management of information risks for the area of responsibility.
- Implementing and managing information and data protection governance arrangements that assure business requirements for information management are satisfied.
- Working with senior business stakeholders to capture, manage and deliver business information requirements that align to business outcomes.
- Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and be a great team player.
- Promoting a culture of information management, data protection and compliance