Data Protection Officer in Bristol

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About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Data Protection Officer (DPO), responsible for overseeing compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and related privacy regulations across the HL Group. The DPO reports into Head of Legal and provides strategic and pragmatic advice to senior management and the board, monitors compliance through risk based assurance and oversight, and serves as the primary contact for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and individuals exercising their data protection rights. The role combines independent oversight with practical guidance, supporting privacy by design across all HL Group entities, products, services, technology, operations and processing activities, while maintaining robust governance, reporting on emerging risks, and ensuring alignment with regulatory developments and best practice.

What you’ll be doing

• Act as HL’s expert adviser on UK GDPR and privacy obligations, providing clear guidance to teams and processors across the Group.
• Monitor and challenge compliance with data protection law, policies, controls, and governance standards.
• Oversee and advise on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), ensuring robust governance and well‑managed high‑risk processing.
• Serve as HL’s primary contact for the ICO and individuals exercising their data rights.
• Maintain and enhance HL’s privacy governance framework, including policies, standards, and oversight mechanisms.
• Provide independent challenge on privacy risks, and produce insightful, risk‑based reporting for senior leadership and the board.
• Support privacy by design across projects, technology initiatives, supplier arrangements, and transformation programmes.
• Lead assurance activity through thematic reviews, control assessments, breach governance review, and monitoring of remediation actions.
• Identify emerging privacy risks and regulatory developments, turning them into practical expectations for the business.
• Drive awareness and capability by shaping HL’s privacy training strategy and coaching privacy champions and operational owners.

About you

• Deep understanding of GDPR, PECR, the UK Data Protection Act 2018, and broader international privacy frameworks.
• Proven experience advising on data protection compliance in complex organisations, with experience in financial services or other highly regulated sectors desirable.
• Strong track record of developing and embedding privacy policies, procedures, DPIAs, Record of Processing Activity (RoPAs), and incident‑response processes.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical, operational compliance across diverse business areas.
• Skilled in identifying, assessing, and managing data protection risks, including reviewing data flows, suppliers, contracts, and system designs.
• Confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels, providing clear, pragmatic advice and constructive challenge.
• Demonstrates the independence, integrity, and sound judgement required of the DPO role, with the ability to lead decisions and prioritise effectively.
• Committed to fostering a strong culture of compliance and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Interview process

A 2 stage interview process consisting of competency and behavioural questions.

Working Schedule

This role is based in Bristol head office. This role is a permanent role, full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. We offer a hybrid flexible working pattern with at least 2 days per week in the office.

Why us?

Here at HL, we’re the UK’s number 1 investment platform for private investors, based in Bristol. For more than 40 years we’ve helped investors save time, tax and money on their investments. To achieve our mission, we believe we have a workplace like no other, with constant learning, dynamic teams, and a great ethos. We're steered by core values that promote service, quality, innovation, and opportunity in everything we do.

What's on offer?

• Discretionary annual bonus and annual pay review
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and 1-day additional Christmas closure
• Option to purchase an additional 5 days holiday
• Flexible working options available, including hybrid working
• Enhanced parental leave
• Pension scheme up to 11% employer contribution
• Income Protection and Life insurance (4 x salary core level of cover)
• Private medical insurance
• Health care cash plans - including optical, dental, and outpatient care
• Health screening programme
• Help@hand - confidential support including mental health counselling and remote GP
• Wellhub - unlimited access to fitness providers and wellness coach sessions
• Variety of travel to work schemes with bike storage and shower facilities
• Inhouse barista and deli serving subsidised coffee and sandwiches
• Two paid volunteering days per year

Hargreaves Lansdown is an inclusive employer that values diversity in its workforce. We encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age. This role may also be available on a flexible working or part time basis – please ask the Recruitment & Onboarding team for more information. Please note, we are unable to provide employment sponsorship to candidates.