Senior Data Protection Specalist

Reference:

Financial Services | Permanent | London
I'm partnering with a leading UK financial services organisation that is making a significant investment in its Data Protection, Privacy and Information Security capabilities.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Data Protection professional with ideally 7+ years of experience to join an evolving privacy function and play a key role in strengthening and shaping the organisation's data protection framework.
The business is undergoing a major, multi-year technology and security transformation, supported by strong executive sponsorship and a clear focus on innovation, automation and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity
You'll play a key role in enhancing the organisation's privacy framework, working closely with stakeholders across the business to manage risk, strengthen controls and deliver meaningful improvements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading privacy risk assessments, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and maintaining Records of Processing Activities (RoPA).- Providing practical, risk-based data protection advice to stakeholders across the organisation.- Identifying opportunities to improve and automate privacy processes, controls and governance.- Managing third-party privacy due diligence and supporting data subject rights requests.- Contributing to strategic privacy initiatives and wider transformation programmes.- Taking increasing ownership of privacy projects and improvements as the function continues to evolve.
What I'm Looking For
- Ideally 7+ years' experience in Data Protection or Privacy, with strong hands-on experience in an operational privacy environment.- CIPP/E qualification or an equivalent recognised privacy certification.- Solid knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act and relevant regulatory requirements.- Demonstrable experience delivering privacy initiatives, process improvements or transformation projects.- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills.- Experience within financial services or another highly regulated sector would be advantageous.- Familiarity with OneTrust, Jira or privacy automation tools** would be beneficial.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
You'll be joining a financially strong, established organisation that is committed to modernising its privacy and information security capabilities.
With significant investment, executive support and a growing focus on technology-enabled solutions, this role offers the opportunity to move beyond day-to-day compliance activities and make a genuine impact on how privacy is managed across the business.
It's an excellent opportunity for someone looking to combine hands-on data protection expertise with strategic project involvement, greater ownership and long-term career development.