Complaints and Information Governance Manager (Data Protection Officer)

Job and Application details

Categories: Executive / Managerial
Districtorate: N/A
Published Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: 22/07/2026

Lead Governance. Drive Improvement. Make a Difference.

We are looking for an experienced Complaints and/or Information Governance Manager to lead and manage Darlington Borough Council’s Complaints and Information Governance Team. This is a rare and rewarding opportunity for an individual with substantial experience in complaints management, information governance, data protection and organisational assurance. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Council meets its statutory obligations, promotes transparency, and delivers excellent services.

Hours and Pay

• Salary: £51,356 to £54,495 per annum (pay award pending)
• Salary Band: Over £50,000
• Post Type: Permanent
• Hrs Per Week: Full time

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Director Law and Governance, this role involves managing a team who deal with Freedom of Information requests, Subject Access Requests, Environmental Information Regulation Requests and handle all of the Council’s Corporate, Adult and Children’s Social Care, Housing and Public Health complaints. This post is the central point of contact for the Local Government and Housing Ombudsmen and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and therefore it is essential that applicants have experience of either complaints or information request handling and management, budget management, policy development and implementation, and staff management.

Requirements

• Strategic leadership on data protection and information rights
• Support organisational compliance
• Act as a key adviser to senior leaders, elected members and service managers
• Produce management information, governance reports and annual assurance reports for senior leaders and elected members
• Manage a team who deal with Freedom of Information requests, Subject Access Requests, Environmental Information Regulation Requests and handle all of the Council’s Corporate, Adult and Children’s Social Care, Housing and Public Health complaints
• Central point of contact for the Local Government and Housing Ombudsmen and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Benefits

• 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Flexi-time scheme
• Flexible working
• Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
• Staff equality forums
• Green Car Leasing Scheme
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Physiotherapy service
• Confidential counselling service
• Great wellbeing offer
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
• Local and National retailer discounts
• Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
• Arriva Employee Travel Club

General Information for Applicants

For a further informal discussion and any queries around the role profile and jobs itself please contact Amy Wennington, Assistant Director on 01325 405490.
If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or [email protected].
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Contact Information

All applicant email correspondence will come from [email protected] and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.