At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on data protection and privacy matters.
- Company: Join a top-rated firm recognised for its inclusive culture and excellent workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a strong pension plan.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in data protection while developing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with three years' experience in data protection and compliance.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the role: We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel focused on Data Protection to join the General Counsel team in our Birmingham office. As Legal Counsel, you will play a key role within both the Compliance and General Counsel teams, supporting the firm on data protection and privacy matters. Acting as a subject matter expert, you will provide specialist advice and guidance, ensuring the firm meets its data protection and privacy obligations.
About you: We are looking for someone who is a qualified lawyer with at least three years’ experience, gained in private practice, industry or a regulatory authority, with strong data protection expertise. You’ll be confident interpreting complex legislation and advising on a range of regulatory and compliance matters in a commercial environment. You will be an effective communicator, able to influence at all levels and present complex issues clearly to both legal and non-legal audiences. Experience managing data breaches, handling data subject requests and complaints, supporting regulatory notifications and leading privacy audits, ideally within a global business is essential. You will be commercially aware, solutions-focused and able to balance risk with practical outcomes. Highly organised and able to work at pace, you’ll manage multiple priorities while building strong relationships across teams.
Desirable:
- Privacy certifications (e.g. CIPP, BCS) preferred
- Data governance experience
- International data protection experience; China, Middle East and Europe
- Information security experience
What We Can Offer You: The opportunity to work for a firm which has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years. Excellent benefits, including:
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave
- Free private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
- A generous pension allowance
- Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
- The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development
Equal Opportunities: Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.
If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Meg Astley at meg.astley@gowlingwlg.com
Legal Counsel (Data Protection) in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK for 26 consecutive years. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, the firm offers excellent benefits such as a hybrid working model, generous annual leave, and comprehensive health insurance, all within state-of-the-art offices in Birmingham City Centre. Employees are encouraged to grow through training and personal development opportunities, fostering a diverse and inclusive work culture that values equality and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel (Data Protection) in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those with data protection expertise. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of data protection laws and recent developments. Be ready to discuss how you've handled data breaches or compliance issues in the past—real-life examples will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to influence and engage with both legal and non-legal audiences, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel (Data Protection) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your data protection expertise and relevant experience, especially in managing data breaches and compliance matters. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data protection and how your skills can benefit our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story that showcases your journey.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:As a Legal Counsel, you'll need to communicate complex issues clearly. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively. Whether it's through your writing style or examples of past experiences, let us see your communication prowess!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Know Your Data Protection Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest data protection laws and regulations relevant to the role. Being able to discuss specific legislation confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you can navigate complex legal frameworks.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific instances where you've managed data breaches or handled data subject requests. Sharing these experiences during your interview will demonstrate your practical knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Practice explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms. Since you'll be advising both legal and non-legal audiences, showcasing your ability to communicate clearly will be a big plus. Consider doing mock interviews with friends to refine this skill.
✨Show Your Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss how data protection impacts business operations. Understanding the balance between compliance and commercial outcomes will highlight your solutions-focused mindset, which is crucial for this role.
