Data Protection Officer (Principal Level)
Location: London (On-site with flexible hybrid options - up to 3 days remote) Sector: Financial Services / Association or Membership Body Reporting to: COO
The Role
An influential, high-profile trade association at the heart of the financial services sector is seeking a seasoned Data Protection Officer (DPO). As a centre of trust and expertise, we need a strategic Data Protection leader to spearhead our data protection activities and ensure we remain a champion for a thriving sector.
You will serve as the organization’s registered DPO, acting as the definitive subject matter expert for senior leadership, including the COO. This is a "Principal" level role designed for a professional who thrives on building cultures of accountability and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Lead and continually improve the organization’s data protection framework to safeguard personal data and support business growth.
- Compliance Oversight: Monitor compliance with UK GDPR, DPA 2018, DUA 2025, and PECR.
- Risk Management: Oversee DPIAs, privacy-by-design processes, and cross-border data transfer advice.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key collaborator across Legal, Risk & Assurance, and IT functions to monitor policies and standards.
- Incident Management: Lead investigations into data incidents and recommend corrective actions.
- Culture Building: Develop and deliver organization-wide training to embed data ethics and privacy best practices.
Requirements
- Experience: Must have 1 role as full DPO with 6+ years of established experience as a DPO or Data Protection Manager.
- Industry Knowledge: Previous experience within Financial Services, membership organizations, or professional services is highly desirable.
- Regulatory Expertise: Excellent knowledge of UK data protection regulations and a strong grasp of data security principles as they apply to IT systems.
- Stakeholder Mastery: Proven ability to influence and credibly present to Boards or high-level governance committees.
- Qualifications: Ideally holds professional certifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, FIP, or BCS/ISEB.
- Technical Savvy: Strong proficiency in standard office suites; knowledge of Dynamics CRM is a plus.
Skills for Success
- Integrity: Absolute discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Agility: Ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
- Communication: Exceptional writing skills with the ability to convey complex data concepts clearly and concisely.
- Drive: Self-motivated and delivery-focused with the persistence to manage a diverse, high-priority workload.
If you are an experienced DPO looking to influence the data landscape of a major UK sector, we want to hear from you.