Information Governance

Information Governance Lead (Contract) - Modern Work Programme

Location: Hybrid / South England
Contract: Interim Contractor (Outside IR35)
Duration: 3 months
Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Information Governance Lead to join a major Modern Work transformation programme within a leading university. This is a hands-on role for a specialist who can provide strategic guidance while also supporting the practical implementation of information governance controls across Microsoft 365.

Working closely with programme stakeholders, internal corporate governance teams, and external Microsoft delivery partners, you will ensure that information governance, records management, retention, and compliance requirements are successfully embedded within the university's Microsoft modern workplace environment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the information governance workstream within a large-scale Modern Work programme.
Provide subject matter expertise on Microsoft Purview from an Information Governance and Records Management perspective.
Review, refine, and enhance existing information governance policies, standards, and processes.
Define and implement retention schedules, records management controls, metadata frameworks, and information lifecycle management requirements.
Work closely with Microsoft implementation partners to ensure governance requirements are correctly configured and deployed.
Support the design and implementation of Microsoft Purview governance capabilities, including retention, classification, and records management controls.
Assess current configurations and recommend improvements to align with best practice and regulatory requirements.
Engage with business and academic stakeholders to ensure governance requirements are understood and adopted.
Develop knowledge transfer plans and provide coaching and cross-training to the university's Corporate Governance team to ensure long-term capability and ownership.

Essential Experience

Significant experience in Information Governance, Records Management, or Information Management leadership roles.
Proven experience supporting or leading Microsoft Purview implementations, particularly from an information governance and compliance perspective.
Strong understanding of:
Records Management
Retention and disposition policies
Metadata standards and taxonomy design
Information lifecycle management
Data governance and compliance requirements
Experience translating governance requirements into practical policies, processes, and technical configurations.
Ability to work effectively with both technical delivery teams and business stakeholders.
Experience providing knowledge transfer, mentoring, or capability building within internal teams.

Desirable Experience

Experience working within Higher Education, Public Sector, or similarly regulated environments.
Familiarity with Microsoft 365 compliance and governance capabilities beyond Purview.
Understanding of regulatory frameworks relating to information governance, data protection, and records management.
Experience supporting organisational change and user adoption initiatives.

About You

You are a pragmatic Information Governance professional who is equally comfortable operating at strategic and operational levels. You enjoy rolling up your sleeves, solving complex governance challenges, and ensuring that processes, technology, and people align to deliver lasting outcomes.

Most importantly, you will bring the expertise and credibility needed to guide the organisation through a critical phase of its Microsoft modern workplace transformation while developing internal capability for the future.

Please click to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement.

To find out more about Real, please visit

Real Staffing, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed