Data Protection & Legal Assistant

Data Protection & Legal Assistant

Temporary 20700 - 25300 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support data protection requests and assist with legal and governance activities.
  • Company: Join Dobbies, a leading garden centre retailer with a rich history.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, discounts, financial support, and development opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture focused on personal growth and making a positive impact.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in data protection and legal operations in a dynamic retail environment.
  • Qualifications: Organised, detail-oriented, and proactive individuals with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 20700 - 25300 £ per year.

As a Data Protection & Legal Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting Dobbies’ Governance Team on a 6-month fixed-term basis.

Working closely with both the Data Protection Officer and the Legal team, you will help ensure the effective management of data protection requests, legal records and governance processes across the business.

This is a varied, hands‑on role in a fast‑paced retail environment.

You will take ownership of the day‑to‑day administration of Data Subject Rights Requests, support contract management and execution processes, and assist with a range of legal and governance activities.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to help ensure compliance with data protection requirements while supporting the efficient operation of the Legal and Governance functions.

This role would suit a highly organised and proactive individual who is interested in developing experience in data protection, compliance and in‑house legal operations.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting the Data Protection Officer with the management and coordination of Data Subject Rights Requests, including Subject Access Requests, Right to Erasure, Rectification and Restriction requests.
  • Liaising with colleagues across the business to obtain information and documentation required to respond to data protection requests.
  • Monitoring request timelines and maintaining accurate Records of Processing Activities (ROPAs) and other data protection documentation.
  • Providing general administrative support to the Legal Team across a range of legal and governance matters.
  • Managing Docu Sign envelopes and coordinating contract execution processes.
  • Processing invoices and raising purchase orders in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Maintaining contract databases, legal records and governance documentation.
  • Supporting legal, compliance and governance projects as required.
  • Assisting with the continuous improvement of administrative processes, record management and ways of working across the Governance Team.

Who We Are Looking For

  • A highly organised and detail‑oriented individual with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to work with colleagues across all areas of the business.
  • Able to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and integrity.
  • Proactive and self‑motivated, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.
  • Comfortable managing a variety of administrative activities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Experience of using Docu Sign and Microsoft Purview would be advantageous, but is not essential.
  • Demonstrates a collaborative and adaptable approach, with a willingness to support a broad range of legal and governance activities.
  • Interested in developing knowledge and experience in data protection, compliance and in‑house legal operations.

What We Offer

  • Generous annual leave entitlement. Use your holidays when you want with limited statutory days off required
  • Treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
  • Access to Stream – support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
  • Access to Retail Trust – seek confidential support, access to a virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform
  • Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our e Learning platform and development programmes
  • Thriving culture; the Dobbies team are passionate, diverse and committed to making it work for our customers

About Us

At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK.

Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special.

In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services.

We champion garden living all-year-round.

Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for.

We’re committed to being a great place to work.

We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success.

Together, we make it work for our customers.

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Data Protection & Legal Assistant employer: Dobbies Garden Centres

At Dobbies, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in our Central Support Office in Lasswade. As a Packing & Dispatch Assistant, you'll enjoy generous benefits such as 33 annual leave days, substantial discounts across our stores, and access to professional development through Dobbies Academy. We foster a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to grow within the company.

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Contact Details:

Dobbies Garden Centres Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Data Protection & Legal Assistant

Get Involved in Legal Networking Events

Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Dobbies Garden Centres.

Showcase Your Skills Online

Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Dobbies Garden Centres does!

Tap into Law School Resources

If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!

Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards

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We think you need these skills to ace Data Protection & Legal Assistant

Data Protection Management
Legal Administration
Contract Management
Governance Processes
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Confidentiality and Discretion

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!

Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.

Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!

Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Dobbies Garden Centres and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!

How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Garden Centres

Show Off Your Legal Know-How

Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Data Protection & Legal Assistant role at Dobbies Garden Centres. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.

Talk About Your Flexibility

Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.

Prepare for the Casework Challenge

You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.

Pitch Your Legal Portfolio

If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Dobbies Garden Centres.