DSAR Specialist
Our client is a housing organization committed to delivering excellence in information management and data protection. The company fosters a collaborative environment that values expertise, continuous improvement, and a proactive approach to data governance. This role offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to the organisation’s compliance and operational efficiency within a supportive team.
The DSAR Specialist will be responsible for managing the end-to-end process of Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), ensuring adherence to GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The role involves working closely with internal teams to coordinate data searches, review and redact sensitive information, and produce clear, compliant responses. The successful candidate will provide guidance and support to junior staff, helping uphold high standards of information governance across the organisation.
Role Overview:
The purpose of this role is to support the organisation’s information governance function by effectively managing DSAR requests, maintaining compliance standards, and contributing to process improvements. The DSAR Specialist will act as a key contact across teams, ensuring timely and accurate responses that meet legal and organisational requirements.
Key Skills & Experience:
• Proven experience delivering DSARs within a housing association or local authority housing environment
• Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Demonstrable experience conducting reasonable and proportionate data searches across complex systems
• Practical experience of redacting information accurately and lawfully within large document sets
• Ability to work independently, manage workload pressure and prioritise high-volume requests
• Confidence engaging with multiple teams and stakeholders across the organisation
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage the day-to-day handling of DSARs received from customers and employees
• Ensure all DSARs are accurately logged on internal case management systems
• Assess and define the scope of DSARs, ensuring requests are clear, lawful, and achievable within statutory timescales
• Apply reasonable and proportionate search methodologies, including scope limitations where required
• Ensure responses are completed within the 30-day statutory timeframe, escalating risks as needed
• Liaise with the Information Governance Assistant and Officer to coordinate data searches and responses
• Provide clear instructions and support to the IG Assistant for data collation from multiple systems and teams
• Conduct and quality-check redaction of personal and third-party data, ensuring outputs are compliant and accessible
• Produce DSAR response packs suitable for individual customers, including accessibility considerations where appropriate
• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentoring to the Information Governance Assistant
• Support colleagues with DSAR decision-making and best practices
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of DSAR processes, templates, and documentation
Requirements:
• Right to work in the UK
• Proven experience delivering DSARs within a housing or local authority environment
• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
• Experience conducting searches across complex systems
• Practical knowledge of redacting information within large documents
• Ability to work independently and handle high request volumes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and ability to collaborate across teams
• Location: On-Site (initial onboarding on-site for 5 days, then 2 days per week)
• Pay Rate: £225 per day
• Employment Type: UK Contract, Inside IR35 (pending confirmation)
• Start Date: 10/04/2026
• Duration: Minimum 6 months
Desirable:
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Experience working with ActiveH (HMS)
If you meet these criteria and are interested in this opportunity, please send your CV to e.winstanley-stitt@gravitasgroup.com.
