Lawyer - Data Privacy Advice in Ripon

Salary: £57,815 – £65,021 per annum, with potential progression to £73,211 per annum under the pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid. Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, with flexible home and office‑based working opportunities. Attendance at the office or travel may be required due to business needs.

About the role

The postholder will play a pivotal role as the ICO transitions into the Information Commission. Working within the ICO Legal Service’s Data Privacy Advice team, they will handle high‑profile data protection and cyber matters, providing timely, risk‑based legal advice in relation to UK GDPR, DPA 2018, FOIA 2000, PECR 2003 and NIS 2018. They will act under directions from the Executive Team and senior legal leadership, reporting to the General Counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality, timely, and risk‑based legal advice on queries received across the ICO.
• Offer expert advice to decision‑makers regarding possible solutions, options and issues.
• Effectively manage a caseload of ongoing legal issues/cases/queries, ensuring compliance with ICO standards, policy and regulatory priorities.
• Ensure guidance published by the ICO is legally accurate and reflects current legislation.
• Liaise with case officers, managers and decision‑makers on ongoing legal matters and work as part of a project team as necessary.
• Represent the ICO professionally at key meetings, events (nationally and internationally), court/tribunal hearings and public speaking engagements.
• Contribute to the development of colleagues by preparing or delivering in‑house training as required.
• Oversee the legal aspects of the workflow of support staff and ensure such work meets required standards.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

• Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (or an equivalent professional qualification in another jurisdiction, with or without the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examinations).
• Current practising certificate (or entitlement to obtain one) from the Law Society or Bar Council.
• Post‑qualification experience in information law work, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in this area.
• Experience providing strategic legal advice in a regulatory environment, including knowledge of public law principles.
• Experience liaising with and instructing external lawyers and other organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation to particular situations.
• Strong legal analytical skills.
• Ability to manage own workload effectively in a pressurised environment.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment and the public sector generally.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion. We aim to build an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all candidates, including those with disabilities. Applicants meeting the minimum criteria will be invited to interview. Candidates with a disability or impairment may request an alternative application method.

Benefits

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday plus public holidays, with up to 26 additional days of flexi leave.
• Employer pension contribution around 28.9%.
• Health Cash Plan and online discount scheme.
• Development opportunities to learn and progress.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance required.