About the Role

Base Location: Flexible UK | We're proud to offer a Flexible First approach to work, and this role is no exception. We will, however need your base 'home' location to be one of our SSEN offices or depots around the UK.

Salary: £44,195 - £50,611 + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing, and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution is recruiting for a Data Protection Specialist to help ensure that we are able to demonstrably meet our compliance requirements with data protection laws (e.g. the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). Failure to comply with data protection laws could have a catastrophic business impact, with fines of up to 4% of Group turnover.

The role-holder will report into the Data Protection & Security Manager within SSEN's Business Assurance function, and will help protect the personal data of every individual who is served by our networks.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Ensure that SSEN fulfils all of its mandatory, and often timebound, data protection requirements, around investigating (and potentially reporting to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)) data incidents within 72 hours.
• Responding to all rights requests within one calendar month.
• Facilitating the completion of data privacy screenings, and - where necessary - full Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), for all new / high risk personal data processing activities.
• Proactively working to support and improve SSEN's cyber security culture and resilience, actively promoting good practice around cyber security, with a particular focus on phishing.
• Preparation of monthly reports circulated to Senior Leaders, including the Distribution Executive Committee and Data Protection Officer. Undertake analysis of incident reporting to recommend improvements and mitigations to the business and highlight areas of concern, emerging threats and opportunities for improvement.
• Continually assess and develop the team's own internal processes and practices and ensure that are relentlessly identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement to raise our level of service to the business and enhance the overall internal customer experience.
• Drafting effective and regular communication pieces to raise awareness of all Data Protection & Security matters, including: how to identify/report incidents; how and when to initiate a Privacy Screening / DPIA; how to handle access requests; specific high-risk areas (e.g. categories of vulnerability data / specific case studies).

What do I need?

To be considered for this role, we would love you to have:

• GDPR Practitioner qualification.
• Deep understanding of GDPR requirements and extensive experience of ensuring compliance with data protection laws in a large and complex organisation that processes high volumes of sensitive personal data.
• Extensive knowledge of wider cyber security issues, and ability to identify cyber risks and implement proportionate mitigations.
• Experience of working in the energy industry / or a highly regulated environment.

About our Business

SSEN Distribution powers 3.9 million homes and businesses in communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland. Our team of more than 4,200 highly skilled people keep customers connected to a safe and reliable supply of electricity whilst developing the flexible networks that are vital for the future. We power communities to thrive today and create a net-zero tomorrow. Why not join us and help power change, we're looking for great people who love working with others to achieve great results. You'll be empowered to make the right decisions for our customers and have the space to take accountability for the work you do. You'll be working as part of a bigger team, enabling net-zero, so team work will be essential. As a part of our business, you become part of something bigger – an established company with a reputation for looking after our people, offering secure and rewarding roles where safety is our number one priority.

What's in it for you?

We offer an excellent package with 34 days annual leave entitlement. Enhanced maternity/paternity leave, discounted healthcare, salary sacrifice car leasing and much more, view our full benefits package on our careers site.

As an equal opportunity employer we encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments you need during the application, assessment and upon joining SSE. Search for 'Inclusion & Diversity at SSE' to find out more.

What happens now?

All applications should be made online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome.

If you would like to discuss any working flexibly requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact stacey.watson@sse.com / 01738 342529.

Before commencing your role with SSE, you'll need to complete our pre-employment screening process. This will consist of a criminality and credit check.

#LI-DIST

#LI-SW1

#LI-Hybrid