Apprentice Paralegal - Data Protection

Are you an organised problem-solver with an eye for detail? Do you want to bring your skills to a purpose-driven company that keeps the taps flowing for millions of people? We are looking for an Apprentice Paralegal - Data Protection to join our in-house legal team. This isn’t your average, repetitive role—it’s an exciting opportunity to learn and become the operational backbone of our department. You will get stuck into everything from environmental law to data protection, working directly with our Data Protection Officer and handling real-world statutory requests.

At South East Water, we believe in sustainable, long-term careers. If you are a bright starter looking for a supportive environment that will genuinely invest in your development, provide clear guidance, and value your fresh perspective from day one, we want to hear from you. We champion autonomy, focus on quality of life, and offer a welcoming, inclusive space where your work genuinely impacts the community.

Main responsibilities:

• Monitor shared inboxes and ensure all incoming legal inquiries are logged and assigned correctly.
• Provide support relating to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. This includes assisting the Data Protection Office to respond to Data Protection complaints, data breaches, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and Data Protection advice and assistance across the business.
• Provide support to consider and respond to third party data requests.
• Provide support on Environmental Information Requests (EIR) compliance. This includes supporting the end-to-end processing of EIR requests, including identifying verbal and written inquiries, coordinating cross-departmental data retrieval, drafting of fee request letters, applying mandatory Public Interest Tests, and statutory compliance.
• Develop a deep awareness of information and resources available and proactively ensure that skills and knowledge are strengthened to enable progression.
• Minute taking at meetings as required.
• General administration, such as contract preparation scanning, filing, archiving and maintaining our electronic archives.
• Conduct legal research as requested.
• Maintenance of all legal registers as required.
• Support the completion of all administrative and legal records.

What you’ll need:

• Achieved 3 A-Levels at Grade 4/C (or equivalent) or a T-Level in Legal Services.
• Achieved GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C (or equivalent).
• Strong desire to progress towards legal qualification through continuing study, learning and attendance at appropriate courses is essential.
• Good time management skills supporting you to complete the apprenticeship.
• Self-motivated, committed and organised with excellent knowledge of the Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, etc) and transferable skills and competencies to the Google suite.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong basis of computer / technological skills.
• A strong eye for detail and ability to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Candidates should demonstrate strong academic achievement and experience in organised administrative tasks or customer-facing roles.
• Evidence of clear written communication and attention to detail gained through studies or work experience is essential.
• A basic understanding of data privacy or research is desirable, but not essential.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

What can you expect from your recruitment?

To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks. If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!

South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.

Compensation package: £19,030