Hibernia College
Data Protection Officer - Hibernia Colleges Group
Hibernia CollegeIreland13 hours ago
InternshipRemote FriendlyInformation Technology
Position: Data Protection Officer

Contract: Permanent Full-time

Location: Dublin (Hybrid)

Background

Hibernia Colleges Group (HCG) was formed when Folens Group acquired Hibernia College in 2021 as part of its strategic expansion into the education sector. Since then, HCG has grown through the acquisition of the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP) and Accountancy School, creating a strong portfolio of academic institutions focused on delivering high-quality education and professional training.

Education

Folens Group, a family-owned business operating in Ireland for over 60 years, has a long-standing reputation in educational publishing and innovation. Today, the Group comprises three main strands:

  • Publishing - the original Folens business, a leading provider of educational resources in Ireland
  • LEAF - a venture capital arm investing in emerging educational technology companies
  • Hibernia Colleges Group - a growing network of academic institutions committed to excellence in education
  • With a strong financial position and ambitious growth strategy, Folens Group and HCG are well placed to expand their impact in the broader education sector both in Ireland and internationally.

Job Overview

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for overseeing the data protection strategy and ensuring compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This is primarily a Hibernia College Group role and will be responsible for all DPO activity across academic institutions within the group (currently Hibernia College, IICP, and Accountancy School). The role will also have responsibility for DPO activities for the parent company, Folens.

The DPO will work closely with all departments to safeguard the privacy and security of personal data across the Group and ensure that all data processing activities meet legal and ethical standards. Reporting to the Hibernia College CEO for all DPO activities, with a dotted line reporting to the College Registrar for student record management. In addition to DPO responsibilities, the role will be active in Student Record management.

Responsibilities Include

Data Compliance:

  • Act as the primary point of contact for all data protection matters, providing expert advice and guidance to senior management and staff.
  • Act as a primary point of contact with the Data Protection Commission and data subjects in relation to Data Protection.
  • Monitoring internal compliance with the GDPR, the AI Act and other legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Developing, implementing, and maintaining the processes and procedures which ensure compliance with the GDPR and other legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Identify and assess data protection risks across the Group, advising on mitigation strategies and monitoring the effectiveness of these measures.
  • Conduct, and advise on, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to evaluate potential privacy risks associated with new or existing data processing activities.
  • Conduct Legitimate Interest Assessments where required, for new and existing data processing activities.
  • Conduct regular audits of data processing activities and recommend improvements where necessary to ensure compliance with data protection requirements.
  • Managing and responding to data subject requests and data breaches in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensuring appropriate storage, retention and destruction of documentation.

Student Records Compliance Management And Institutional Research

  • Developing, implementing, and maintaining the processes and procedures which ensure completeness and accuracy of student record data across all College systems in accordance with legislative, regulatory, College and awarding body requirements.
  • Overseeing the management of student records held throughout the institution, ensuring that records are clear, accurate, reconciled and comprehensively recorded and appropriately retained.
  • Designing and maintaining the configuration of student records, including any cohort or programmatic requirements.
  • Developing and maintaining rigorous data verification procedures for records in all systems.
  • Designing and preparing student data reports, for both internal decision-making and external reporting requirements.
  • Working with the wider college team on the preparation of information for dissemination to internal and external stakeholders.

Training and Development

  • Develop and deliver training programmes to staff to promote awareness of data protection principles and the importance of safeguarding personal data.
  • Develop and deliver training programmes to students to promote awareness of data protection principles and the importance of safeguarding personal data.
  • Implement awareness-raising campaigns for staff and students in relation to good data management.

Other Duties

  • Contributing to the development, monitoring, and review of relevant quality assurance policies and procedures; taking lead responsibility in respect of certain policies.
  • Promoting and ensuring the consistent application of Group policies and procedures within the Group systems.
  • Participating in Group committees and working groups as required.
  • Acting as a key point of contact for government bodies and/or professional bodies for the provision of student reports and student data related matters (e.g. HEA, QQI, Dept of Education, DFHERIS , Teaching Council, NMBI).
  • Performing other duties relevant to the role.

Qualifications & Skills

In order to be considered for this post, applicants will require:

  • Level 8 qualification
  • Experience in the application of legislative and regulatory requirements in relation to data protection
  • Data Protection qualification
  • Advanced IT skills
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to independently problem-solve, lead projects and devise and improve systems and processes
  • Professional and efficient, with an innate sense of discretion and confidentiality.
  • Excellent administrative and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work and to meet strict deadlines
  • Ability to work cross-functionally, considering the needs of different departments.
  • Clear evidence of self-motivation, with an ability to work under pressure as part of a constantly changing working environment
  • Pro-active, enthusiastic and a flexible approach to work.

Desirable Criteria

  • Post-graduate qualification
  • Experience in a similar role in the higher education sector.

Please apply with a CV and cover letter by 31st March 2026.

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