Data Protection Officer
Also advertised as: Data Governance Lead, Data Protection Manager, Data Protection Officer, DPO, Information Governance Officer, Privacy Officer
Advises an organisation on how to handle personal data lawfully under UK data protection law.
What the job involves
Data protection officers monitor compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act, advise on data protection impact assessments and act as the contact point for the Information Commissioner's Office. You investigate data breaches and train staff on handling personal information responsibly. The role requires independence from day-to-day operational decisions to give impartial advice.
Typical responsibilities
- Advise on data protection compliance and risk
- Conduct data protection impact assessments
- Act as liaison with the Information Commissioner's Office
- Investigate and report personal data breaches
- Deliver staff training on data handling
Common employers
- Local authorities
- NHS trusts
- Universities
- Private companies handling personal data
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£30,000 – £38,000 a year
With experience
£45,000 – £70,000 a year
Typical hours
37 hours
Working environment
Office based
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Data protection law
- Risk assessment
- Policy writing
- Investigation
- Stakeholder communication
Transferable skills you may already have
- Compliance or audit experience
- Information governance
- Policy analysis
Requirements employers ask for
- Data protection law
- Risk assessment
- Policy writing
- Investigation
- Stakeholder communication
Useful but not essential
- Compliance or audit experience
- Information governance
- Policy analysis
- Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- Legal or IT background
Helpful qualifications
- Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- Legal or IT background
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Law
- Related subject: Information governance
- Related subject: Computer science
Where this career can lead
next
Head of Information Governance
next
Chief Privacy Officer
next
Data Protection Consultant
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- High-profile advisory role with real influence
- Growing demand as data regulation tightens
- Transferable across sectors
What people find hard
- Held personally accountable for advice given
- Breach investigations can be high pressure
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a data protection officer?
- preferred
- How much does a data protection officer earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £30,000 to £38,000 a year, rising towards £70,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Compliance or audit experience, Information governance, Policy analysis.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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