Job Title: Data Governance Specialist – 12 Month FTC
Location: Service Headquarters, Tovil, Maidstone, ME15 6XB – Hybrid working with minimum 3 days per week in the office
Hours: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract - Full Time 37 Hours per Week
Pension: Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme – career average pension scheme with 16.5% employer contribution
Holidays: In addition to bank/ public holidays you will receive 32 days
Base Salary: Grade 8 - £49,914 - £55,426 per annum
Reference: R001059
Closing Date: 16th July 2026
Being a part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Everyone is unique. Everyone has value. Everyone helps to make Kent Fire and Rescue Service a great place to work. We are one team. Together with our customers we are creating a safer future for Kent and Medway.
Being a Data Governance Specialist
As a Data Governance Specialist, you will play a key role in designing, developing and embedding the organisation's data governance framework. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you will help establish clear data ownership and accountability, ensuring data governance principles are effectively integrated into organisational policies, processes and ways of working.
You will lead the development and implementation of robust data governance arrangements, supporting the organisation in managing data-related risks and ensuring appropriate controls are in place. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will take ownership of governance processes, balancing competing priorities, managing stakeholder expectations and negotiating realistic delivery timescales while working as part of the Data & Intelligence Team.
As a passionate advocate for effective data management, you will champion the responsible use of data across the organisation, helping to drive improvements in data literacy, data quality and governance practices. Through collaboration, influence and expertise, you will support the organisation in maximising the value of its data assets and building a strong data-driven culture.
What you’ll do
· Drive the development and implementation of data ownership, stewardship and accountability frameworks across the organisation.
· Lead the identification, cataloguing and management of critical data assets that underpin key services and business operations.
· Establish clear accountability for data through defined ownership models and RACI frameworks.
· Oversee the classification of sensitive, regulated and business-critical data, ensuring compliance, security and effective access management.
· Influence and engage stakeholders across the organisation to build consensus and embed strong data governance practices.
· Assess the value, usage and risks associated with critical datasets, helping shape data-driven decision-making.
· Champion a culture of responsible and effective data use, supporting the delivery of strategic and operational objectives.
· Evaluate organisational data maturity and help shape improvement initiatives that strengthen data capability.
· Review governance policies, processes and controls, identifying opportunities to enhance consistency, effectiveness and compliance.
· Analyse governance structures and decision-making processes to address accountability gaps and improve oversight.
· Deliver governance maturity reviews and actionable recommendations that drive continuous improvement and organisational success.
What you’ll bring
· Bring a strong understanding of data access management, with the ability to assess and improve approaches to granting, managing and monitoring access to data.
· Demonstrate knowledge of data governance operating models and how key stakeholders collaborate to deliver effective governance and accountability.
· Understand the critical role data governance plays in supporting data architecture, engineering, reporting, analytics and emerging AI capabilities.
· Apply working knowledge of GDPR, data protection and information management requirements to ensure compliance and best practice.
· Champion governance practices that strengthen data quality, trust and accessibility across the organisation.
· Use excellent interpersonal and influencing skills to engage stakeholders, build consensus and drive positive change.
Benefits
- Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Blue Light Card discount scheme supported by a number of high street retailers
- A range of family friendly policies promoting work-life balance
- Access to health and wellbeing services and advice
- Free parking
- Above all you’ll become part of a service that is committed to the safety of our community
How to apply
Please complete an online application and CV by midnight on 16th August 2026 via this link:
https://ce0013li.webitrent.com/ce0013li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=88103581k3&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=297746Cu4X
Interview will be held on the 26th, 27th and 28th August 2026. The interviews will be in-person held at KFRS Service HQ.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy upon receiving a sufficient number of applications. If you are interested in this role we recommend that you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We know that great minds don’t think alike, so we rely on diverse thoughts, feelings, beliefs and backgrounds to create the best working environment that we can possibly offer.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service, its employees and volunteers, are committed to safeguarding, protecting and supporting children, young people and adults at risk. As part of our safer recruitment process, we will undertake pre-employment checks to verify your suitability for the role. These checks will include your references and a standard or enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Enhanced DBS check with barred lists are carried out for roles with direct and unsupervised access to children, young people and adults at risk. Risk assessments will be undertaken on any disclosures identified as part of the pre-employment checks.
As a Public Sector organisation with added responsibilities under the Equality Act, 2010 the candidate must demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and how this fits in with their everyday work.
Pay: £49,914.00-£55,426.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Maidstone ME15 6XB
