Data Protection Officer

Location: Flexible within the UK. Home-based, blended or fully office based (from our offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh or London)

Closing Date: 14 August 2025

Ref: SB 1392

Are you passionate about data protection and want to make a real impact in the fight against the climate emergency? Join Energy Saving Trust as our Data Protection Officer and help ensure we handle personal and organisational data with integrity, transparency, and care.

Who we are

Energy Saving Trust is a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.

At Energy Saving Trust we don’t just offer jobs – we offer careers. For our people, being part of the effort to address the climate emergency makes working for us truly meaningful and rewarding.

Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional leave earned through length of service

• Three extra days off over the Christmas period as a gesture of goodwill

• A competitive pension scheme with generous employer contributions

• Flexibility in our ways of working – work from home, in the office, or a mix of both, depending on your role

• Two paid volunteering days per year – a chance to give back to the causes that matter most to you

Please see our careers page for the full list of benefits we have to offer and why Energy Saving Trust is a great place to work.

The team

Who we are: We’re part of the Finance, Risk and Compliance team. Our job is to help the organisation stay on track by managing risk, following rules, and making sure we do things the right way.

What we do: We work across areas like data protection, risk, fraud prevention, contracts, and buying goods and services.

How we work: We follow a clear structure that helps everyone understand their role. The Data Protection Officer is part of the second line of defence, offering independent advice and support on data privacy. They’re supported by an Assistant Data Protection Officer who reports directly to them.

Our culture: We’re a close-knit team. We share ideas, support each other, and work together to solve problems.

Why join us?

“There’s a real sense of purpose here. We’re not just ticking boxes—we’re helping shape a more sustainable future while supporting each other every step of the way.”

The role     

As a key member of our Finance, Risk and Compliance Centre of Excellence, you’ll lead our data protection strategy, oversee compliance with UK GDPR and related legislation, and act as a trusted advisor across the organisation. You’ll manage and mentor the Assistant Data Protection Officer and collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to align data protection with information security standards.

You’ll play a vital role in embedding a culture of accountability and risk awareness, supporting our Three Lines of Defence model and helping teams across the organisation understand and manage their data responsibilities.

Success in this role means embedding a proactive approach to data protection, delivering clear and timely advice, and building strong relationships across the organisation. You’ll have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and be part of a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Join us in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future—where your expertise in data protection helps drive meaningful impact in tackling the climate emergency.

What you’ll do  

Strategic Oversight: Lead the organisation’s data protection strategy and ensure compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and other relevant legislation—acting as a key advisor and point of contact for the ICO and data subjects.

Governance and Risk Culture: Operate within the second line of defence in the organisation’s Three Lines of Defence model, fostering a risk-aware, accountable culture across all Centre’s of Excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with internal teams, including IT and cybersecurity, to align data protection with information security standards, and support external engagement with regulators and data subjects.

Leadership and Development: Manage and mentor the Assistant Data Protection Officer, while contributing to the growth and capability of the wider Risk and Compliance Team.

Mission Impact: By ensuring ethical and secure handling of data, this role supports Energy Saving Trust’s mission to address the climate emergency—building public trust and enabling effective, sustainable services for people and communities.

What you’ll bring  

Expert Knowledge: In-depth understanding of UK data protection laws, including UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, PECR, FOI, and FOISA.

Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to real-world scenarios, supporting risk-based decision-making.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly for policy development, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Proactivity and Initiative: Demonstrated ability to stay ahead of regulatory changes and proactively support compliance across diverse business areas.

To apply please visit our recruitment portal via the Apply Button. 

Applications close 5.30pm, 14 August. Interviews are intended to be held 21-28 August.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.  

Reasonable adjustments: We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for, everyone.  

If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch. 

Flexible working: We offer a range of flexible working arrangements, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements. There is no need to justify your preferred working pattern and we encourage our people to work in whichever way helps them to perform at their best.

We will be happy to discuss this and our blended working model at the interview stage with you.

Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Diversity and inclusion

Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best.

We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and offer guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role.