Data Protection Officer - Fractional (1-2 days per week)

About Intent HQ: Recognised by the Financial Times as one of the FT1000 Fast growing companies in Europe in 2022 and 2023, Intent HQ is a leader and innovator in Customer AI Analytics and Data Science with a blue chip international enterprise customer base and solid financial backing from our investors. Our mission is to become the world’s preeminent Customer Intent platform by bringing together privacy-first signals intelligence, proprietary behavioural AI/ML analytics & uniquely accessible enterprise insights into a single platform that organisations will use to build more genuine, sustainable and profitable relationships with their customers.

Our clients typically have tens of millions of customers and billions of interaction events each day. We have developed our platform to handle data at this enormous scale efficiently. Intent HQ is unique because we've focused on understanding customer interaction data. We do the hard-specialised work leaving our clients free to focus on integrating the insight into their business, with one Client seeing an additional £26m annual revenue as a result of using our products and services.

Intent HQ is an exciting place to work, we are very proud to have made our debut on the FT1000 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe for 2022! We have a talented team of circa 100 people (and growing!) based in & around London, Barcelona, Lisbon and New York & Tel Aviv, collectively speaking over 15 languages!

Why Join Us:

• Exciting Work Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology at the intersection of AI and data analytics.
• Impactful Role: Directly influence the company’s legal and risk management strategies.
• Growth Opportunities: Advance your career in a fast-paced, innovative industry.

Location: Remote, with occasional travel to Intent HQ offices or client sites as required.

Engagement Type: Fractional Dial Up/Dial down - Expectation is 1-2 days per week on average.

What we are looking for: We are seeking a Fractional Data Protection Officer (DPO) to act as the independent data protection lead for Intent HQ. This role ensures that our data handling activities comply with applicable data protection laws (including GDPR, UK DPA 2018, and other relevant regulations), while also fostering a culture of privacy-by-design across the company.

You will work closely with our legal, security, product, and engineering teams to provide expert advice, monitor compliance, manage risk, and liaise with regulators where necessary.

What you will do:

• Regulatory Compliance & Oversight: Serve as the primary contact point for data protection authorities (e.g., ICO, CNIL) and handle regulatory communications. Monitor compliance with GDPR, UK DPA, and other applicable data protection laws in all jurisdictions where Intent HQ operates. Maintain and oversee the company’s Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and Legitimate Interest Assessments (LIAs).
• Policy & Governance: Review, update, and implement data protection policies, standards, and procedures across the organisation. Ensure Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) are accurate, up to date, and aligned with regulatory requirements. Advise on and review data processing agreements with clients, partners, and suppliers.
• Privacy by Design & Risk Management: Provide input into product development and data initiatives to ensure privacy-by-design principles are embedded from the outset. Identify and assess privacy risks in business processes, products, and services, and recommend mitigation strategies. Oversee personal data breach management, including investigation, reporting, and remediation.
• Training & Awareness: Develop and deliver privacy and data protection training to employees and contractors. Promote a culture of privacy awareness and accountability throughout the company.

What you need:

• Essential: Proven experience as a Data Protection Officer or equivalent role, ideally in a technology or data-driven business. Deep understanding of GDPR, UK DPA 2018, and other relevant global privacy regulations. Strong experience with data protection governance, DPIAs, and vendor risk management. Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage with senior leadership, technical teams, and regulators. Ability to work independently in a fractional capacity, with flexibility to support business needs on-demand.
• Desirable: CIPP/E, CIPM, or other recognised privacy certification. Experience in AI, big data, or telecoms data environments. Familiarity with ISO 27701, ISO 27001, and other information security frameworks.

Engagement Details:

• Time Commitment: Estimated 2–4 days per month, with flexibility for additional hours during audits, product launches, or incidents.
• Contract Length: Initial 12-month engagement, with option to renew.
• Reporting Line: Reports to the COO.

Why Join Intent HQ? Shape privacy governance in a cutting-edge AI-driven company. Work with a global team passionate about ethical and compliant data use. Flexible fractional arrangement that values expertise over hours. Longer term opportunity potential for ongoing collaboration.

Diversity & Inclusion: Intent HQ is an equal opportunities employer with an ethos of commitment to promoting and practicing diversity, equality and inclusion at work. At IHQ, different perspectives, ideas and experiences are valued and respected, with fair and equal opportunities provided for all. Our diversity and inclusion efforts have been recognised with us winning two consecutive Women in Tech UK Awards, under the Best Tech Employer (51-149 Employees)’ category & being shortlisted for the Best Employer for Parental Support award - an achievement we are very proud of.

Our Culture: Working for Intent HQ, you have the opportunity to work with cutting edge technology in an environment where you are encouraged to think and act outside traditional methods. We are a growing business with a flat structure meaning everyone is visible and able to make an impact, not just in their own role, but across the business on a daily basis. We promote a collaborative, innovative and sociable culture, oriented towards performance and competitive advantage. Our DNA is made up of flexibility to all staff with a family friendly approach and focus on personal development. We have high expectations and pride ourselves on our cultural standards.

Benefits (Depending on employment Status): Flexible working, Free breakfast daily (when in the office), 26 days holiday (increasing with service), Pension scheme, Income Protection with Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance, Oliva Mental Health platform and counselling, Higher than statutory maternity/paternity benefits, Work socials, Wellbeing programme, Cycle to work scheme, Training opportunities.