We have an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced and strategic Data Protection Officer (DPO) to join Our Future Health, reporting to the Chief Compliance and Integrity Officer.
At Our Future Health, the responsible use of data is fundamental to achieving our mission. The trust placed in us by millions of participants underpins our ability to transform how diseases are prevented, detected and treated. This role is pivotal in protecting and strengthening that trust.
As our statutory DPO, you will operate at the heart of the organisation, shaping our approach to data protection and privacy at scale. You will provide independent, expert oversight and advice to senior leadership, ensuring that robust data protection standards are embedded across all activities. In doing so, you will enable the organisation to use data responsibly and confidently, balancing innovation with the highest standards of privacy, ethics and compliance.
Despite big improvements in healthcare in our lifetimes, today millions of people in the UK still live in poor health as they get older. Diseases like cancer, dementia, diabetes, and heart disease affect the lives of many people in our communities. Our goal is to create a world-leading resource for health research, to improve our understanding and spot the patterns of how and why common diseases start, so treatments can begin sooner and be more effective.
Our Future Health will be the UK’s largest ever health research programme, bringing people together to develop new ways to detect, prevent, and treat diseases. We are a charity, supported by the UK Government, in partnership with charities and industry. We work closely with the NHS and with public authorities across all nations and regions of the UK.
What you’ll be doing:
In this role, you will work closely with teams across the organisation to ensure robust data protection practices are embedded across all areas of the business. Your key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Fulfilling the statutory responsibilities of the Data Protection Officer under UK GDPR (Article 39)
- Developing and maintaining a privacy governance framework to ensure compliance with UK GDPR and relevant legislation
- Acting as the primary point of contact for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- Advising senior leadership, including the Executive Committee, on data protection risks and mitigation strategies
- Supporting complex and high-risk projects by providing expert data protection advice, including DPIAs
- Monitoring compliance and conducting audits across the organisation
- Leading on data protection reporting to internal governance forums, including Board sub-committees
- Developing and delivering data protection training and awareness initiatives
- Monitoring changes in data protection law and advising on organisational impact
- Setting and reviewing policies, standards and procedures
- You will also lead and manage the Data Protection team, overseeing:
- DPIAs, PIAs and legitimate interest assessments
- Data privacy audits and compliance monitoring
- Incident management and personal data breach response
- Data subject rights requests (including DSARs)
- Records of processing and data lifecycle management
Requirements
To be successful in this role, you will bring significant expertise, credibility and independence, along with the ability to influence at senior levels. You will ideally have:
- Demonstrable expert knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and applicable regulatory guidance.
- Substantial practical experience applying data protection law in a complex or regulated environment (e.g. health, public sector, charity, large scale data processing or life sciences).
- Experience operating in, or advising at, senior leadership or board level, including providing independent and objective advice.
- Strong knowledge of the UK and/or EU data privacy laws.
- A degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience; relevant postgraduate study is desirable.
- At least one recognised data protection or privacy qualification (e.g. CIPP, CIPM, CIPT, ISEB) or a willingness to obtain this shortly after joining.
- Strong understanding of data governance, information security, IT systems and data management practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence change.
- Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Strong change and project management skills
Benefits
- From £85,000 per annum basic salary.
- Generous Pension Scheme – We invest in your future with employer contributions of up to 12%.
- 30 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays – Enjoy a generous holiday allowance with the flexibility to take bank holidays when it suits you.
- Enhanced Parental Leave – Supporting you during life’s biggest moments.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25-39% on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice.
- EV Scheme – Save up to 40% on a brand new electric vehicle all-inclusive package through salary sacrifice
- Home & Tech Savings – Get up to 8% off on IKEA and Currys products, spreading the cost over 12 months through salary sacrifice.
- £1,000 Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone amazing? Get rewarded for bringing them on board!
- Wellbeing Support – Access to Mental Health First Aiders, plus 24/7 online GP services and an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
- A Great Place to Work – We have a lovely Central London office in Holborn, and offer flexible and remote working arrangements.
Join us - let’s prevent disease together.
Closing date 05 May 2026 at 5:00pm
At Our Future Health, we recognise the importance of having a diverse workforce and ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their background, have equitable access to our application process. We proactively encourage applicants who identify as having a disability, neurodiversity, or long-term health conditions to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments as part of their application process.
If you do require any reasonable adjustments, please email us at talent@ourfuturehealth.org.uk