Privacy Specialist

Description:

The Privacy Specialist role plays a key part in the continued success of the Risk & Compliance team. Working as an integral member of the team while also operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role supports the identification, analysis, and investigation of data protection and privacy risks across the organisation. The Privacy Specialist reviews business activities against data protection policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, and works closely with stakeholders to provide expert guidance and proportionate challenge. Through both collaborative engagement and independent ownership of assigned matters, the role helps to promote high standards of data handling, support consistent compliance, and embed a strong data protection culture across the firm.

Key Responsibilities

 Processing and actioning data subject rights requests (including subject access requests) and data protection complaints, resolving complex matters and engaging with relevant teams and stakeholders as required to manage risk and outcomes effectively as well as liaising directly with data subjects and their representatives.
 Working independently on a day-to-day basis to provide data protection advice and answer queries, working with business stakeholders to resolve issues and implement appropriate remedial actions (where appropriate).
 Proactively working with stakeholders to identify emerging risks, trends, and systemic issues, and supporting the Head of Data Protection with insights and recommendations.
 Responsible for the management of Hill Dickinson’s Data Protection mailbox, including triage, allocation, and assessment of risk and complexity using expertise in data protection law and best practice.
 Ensuring regulatory deadlines are met and workload is prioritised effectively across competing demands.
 Managing the instruction of internal and external legal or subject matter expert advice, interpreting and implementing advice provided and challenging where necessary to ensure proportionate and practical outcomes.
 Reviewing, maintaining, and supporting Records of Processing Activities (ROPAs), Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and Transfer Risk Assessments (TRAs).
 Ensure the timely escalation of material data protection risks, incidents, or non compliance issues to the Head of Data Protection and senior management, in line with internal escalation procedures.
 Supporting the Head of Data Protection in implementing, embedding, and driving improvements to data protection governance, processes, and culture across the firm.
 Ensuring follow-up actions arising from regulatory engagement, audits, and complaints are completed in a timely manner, working collaboratively with stakeholders across the business.
 Leading on regulatory matters, including engagement and correspondence with the regulator where required.
 Advising stakeholders and independently assessing data protection risk in relation to personal data breaches, including determining notification requirements, coordinating responses, and escalating to key stakeholders as appropriate.
 Responsible for monitoring data protection metrics, running reports, and maintaining oversight of volumes, trends, and risk indicators.
 Identifying key trends through reporting and analysis to inform continuous improvement of data protection policies, procedures, and controls.
 Supporting on supplier and third party onboarding due diligence from a data protection perspective, including assessing privacy risk, reviewing Supplier/Third party questionnaires, and advising on appropriate safeguards and mitigations.
 Reviewing and advising on data protection clauses within commercial, supplier, and client contracts, including data processing agreements, information sharing provisions, and liability provisions relating to personal data.
 Providing advice and oversight on cross border data transfers, including assessment of international data flows, implementation of appropriate transfer mechanisms, and ongoing compliance with international data protection obligations.
 Mentoring and developing Risk and Compliance Officers, building capability and knowledge across the team in data protection compliance and risk management.
 Identifying weaknesses or gaps within data protection policies, procedures, and processes, managing associated risks, and leading or contributing to improvement initiatives and projects as required.

What Are We Looking For

Important criteria: 

 Strong, relevant legal knowledge and practical experience in data protection and privacy law, with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements in a pragmatic and commercially focused manner. A CIPP/E qualification is beneficial but not essential.
 Proven experience in managing and resolving contentious and sensitive matters, including effective written and verbal communication with clients, third parties, litigants, and internal stakeholders.
 Highly organised, with a strong eye for accuracy and detail, and the ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple matters concurrently while meeting regulatory deadlines.
 Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and high quality written communications, policies, and formal responses on complex data protection issues.
 Strong commercial awareness, demonstrating sound judgement and pragmatism when balancing legal risk, regulatory obligations, and business objectives.