Directorate Support Manager (FOI & Information Rights) - AR

Directorate Support Manager (FOI & Information Rights)

Rate: £25.13 PAYE per hour

Contract: Temporary/Contract

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Directorate Support Manager to lead the operational delivery of Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and related information rights requests within a busy local authority environment.

This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end FOI process, ensuring statutory deadlines are met, maintaining high standards of compliance, and leading a small team responsible for information request handling. The successful candidate will act as a key advisor on information rights legislation and support continuous improvement across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the day-to-day handling of Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and related information rights requests.
• Ensure responses are accurate, compliant, and issued within statutory timescales.
• Line manage and support Directorate Support Officers, including workload allocation, performance management, coaching, and development.
• Act as the escalation point for complex, sensitive, high-profile, or overdue information requests.
• Review draft responses, disclosures, exemptions, redactions, and supporting documentation to ensure legal compliance.
• Coordinate and manage internal reviews, complaints, and correspondence with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
• Work closely with service managers and stakeholders across the organisation to obtain information and improve response performance.
• Produce performance reports, monitor KPIs, and identify trends, risks, and opportunities for service improvement.
• Develop and improve processes, guidance, templates, and working practices relating to information rights requests.
• Deliver advice, guidance, and awareness training on FOI, EIR, information governance, and records management requirements.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, data protection requirements, and organisational policies.

Requirements

• Experience managing Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests.
• Strong understanding of information rights legislation, exemptions, redactions, and disclosure requirements.
• Previous experience managing or supervising staff.
• Experience handling complex cases, internal reviews, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to monitor performance, manage caseloads, and meet statutory deadlines.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience within local government, public sector, or a similar regulated environment is highly desirable.

Ideal Background

Candidates may currently hold positions such as:

• FOI Manager
• Information Rights Manager
• FOI Team Leader
• Information Governance Manager
• Senior Information Governance Officer
• Information Compliance Manager

What's on Offer

• Competitive hourly rate of £25.13 PAYE.
• Opportunity to lead a key compliance function within a local authority.
• Varied and impactful role with responsibility for operational management, compliance, and service improvement.