Role: Data Protection Co-ordinator (full or part time: at least 60% FTE)

Division: Assessment & Qualifications Delivery

Location: Manchester, Oxford or Rotherham, UK

About Pearson: At Pearson we ‘add life to a lifetime of learning’ so everyone can realise the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. Our Purpose | Add Life to a Lifetime of Learning. Pearson was founded in 1844 and has been built on our ability to grow with and adapt to a constantly evolving market. Our 20,000+ employees are dedicated to creating the high-quality, digital-first, accessible and sustainable resources for lifelong learning.

About UK Assessment & Qualifications: We are responsible for the delivery of nearly 4 million examination results per annum, including A-Level, GCSE, BTEC and T-levels for students in UK and International centres. Our in-house systems process every learner from registration to marking and certification, in a highly regulated business. We currently operate a hybrid estate of predominantly bespoke systems, with an ongoing strategic transformation programme to migrate from on-prem to cloud based, cost effective, scalable, and resilient services.

About the Job

The data protection co-ordinator is responsible for supporting the Business Information Security Lead in ensuring and demonstrating data protection compliance. The responsibilities include:

• Ensure that systematic data protection compliance reports are undertaken and that their findings are reported and acted upon.

• Work closely with privacy leads and the central DPO function to ensure all compliance activities are completed.

• Mapping processes, identifying gaps and documenting relevant mitigating actions

• Identifying, assessing and managing privacy related risks.

• Assisting the privacy leads in completion and maintaining their Records of Processing Activities (ROPA), including lawful basis and international transfers.

• Identifying, collating and managing risks. Ensuring that actions and risks are managed.

• Develop, deliver and maintain specialist training and advice to privacy leads.

• Assist with the completion of DPIAs.

• Ensure that the correct data controller and data processor relationships are defined.

• Advise and assist on various assurance frameworks. Such as ISO27001, Cyber Essentials and PCI DSS etc

• Maintain and up to date knowledge of developments in data protection case law, national developments and appropriate initiatives.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Prior experience in UK data privacy compliance.

• Ability to understand and translate the principles and obligations of data protection legislation.

• Ability to understand privacy risks and risk management.

• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and manage own time effectively.

• Good oral, written communication and presentation skills.

• Confident at communicating at all levels within the Organisation.

• Good interpersonal skills

• Ability to solve problems using initiative and a methodical approach to tasks.

• Adaptable and flexible approach and able to prioritise workloads.

• Monitoring and adhering to compliance policy.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Information Security and/or Information Assurance qualifications.

• Data protection and/or privacy certification, such as CIPP, CIPT, CIPM, ISEB, etc. or willingness to achieve within a short period of joining.

• Ability to recognise the crossover with various assurance frameworks, such as ISO27001, Cyber Essentials etc.

• Previous experience in other assurance frameworks.

Job Location and Hours

The role is aligned to our Manchester, Rotherham, or Oxford offices. Our Rotherham office is located at Junction 1 of the M18. All our roles are hybrid working; our current policy requires our team to visit their base office no more than once a week, and with the possibility of occasional business travel to other Pearson sites. Candidates must be a suitable commute from their base office as our office presence policy may change to require more frequent presence in 2024.

We work a 37.5-hour week, with all our team free to flex their day around our core hours, which are Monday to Friday, 10 to 4 GMT/BST. School runs, etc can be accommodated. Other flexible working patterns can be considered, including part-time working and non-traditional hours.

Your benefits and rewards

Here at Pearson we offer a range of benefits, which include:

• 25 Days annual leave (increasing by 1 day with every year of continuous service up to 30 days); annual leave trading, +/- 5 days

• Annual Bonus

• Private Pension plan scheme where we pay in double what you contribute, up to 16% depending on your age

• Life, private medical and dental care insurance options, plus free eye tests

• Stock/share purchase options

• Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible working policies

• An employee wellbeing assistance programme

• Cycle to work program, volunteering days, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: TECHNOLOGY

Organization: Assessment & Qualifications

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Req ID: 16828

#LI-REMOTE