At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure compliance with UK Data Protection laws and lead key initiatives.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at VWFS UK, focused on innovative mobility solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, and extensive benefits including private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and opportunities for professional development await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in data protection while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in data protection and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 46000 £ per year.
SALARY: From £42,692.00 to £53,366.00 pa dependent on experience
LOCATION: Milton Keynes
HYBRID WORKING:
Our current hybrid working policy requires a minimum of 60% of working time to be based in the Milton Keynes office however flexibility is expected to meet the needs of the business and the role.
HOURS / CONTRACT TYPE : Full-time permanent 35 hours
CLOSING DATE: 26/10/2026
We reserve the right to close the advert earlier If we receive a high volume of applications.
Make a Real Impact in Data Protection!
Are you ready to play a critical role in safeguarding data and driving compliance excellence?
We’re looking for a knowledgeable, pragmatic Data Protection Specialist to join our Legal & Compliance Team
In this pivotal position, you’ll ensure our organisation stays fully compliant with UK Data Protection laws and regulatory requirements. You’ll be the trusted advisor to business units and senior leaders, support our DPO in fulfilling statutory duties, and lead key initiatives—from managing personal data breaches to overseeing risk and engaging with regulators.
This is an exciting opportunity for a data protection professional who thrives in a dynamic, regulated environment and is passionate about privacy, compliance, and continuous improvement. If you want to make a difference and shape the future of data protection within our organisation, we’d love to hear from you!
What you’ll be doing:
- You’ll provide expert guidance to the business on UK Data Protection laws and regulatory changes
- Support the maintenance of Registers of Processing Activities(ROPA)
- Assist the business in undertaking Data Protection Impact Assessments(DPIA)
- You’ll lead the assessment, oversight, and reporting of personal data breaches, including MI reporting to senior forums
- Act as a key contact for front-line and operational teams on topics, such as DSARs, complaints and litigation matters related to data protection
- Develop and execute second-line monitoring activities to assess compliance and drive improvements
- Liaise with the ICO on customer complaints and regulatory enquiries, ensuring robust investigations and responses
- Collaborate with Legal & Compliance colleagues and stakeholders across the business to resolve data protection and privacy-related issues
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data protection compliance and operational efficiency
What you’ll bring:
You’ll have experience in a similar role and have worked in a second-line capacity, to provide authoritative regulatory advice to senior stakeholders and operate autonomously.
Essential experience & skills:
- You’ll have proven experience in providing data protection advice within Compliance and/or Legal functions, at a specialist level
- You have an excellent understanding of ICO guidance, codes and regulatory expectations within consumer credit or retail banking
- You’re able to manage complex and time-sensitive workloads with precision, pragmatism and professionalism
- Have demonstrable skills in researching, analysing and interpreting and, presenting complex regulatory information
- You’re comfortable challenging views and interpreting regulatory guidance with accuracy and proportionality
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively
What’s in it for you?
Bonus: Discretionary 10% on-target bonus (based on personal and Group company performance)
Pension: Employer pension contribution of 9% (based on employee contribution of 3%). VWFS will pay 6% if employee chooses a 2% employee contribution.
Car schemes*: Choice of Employee Car Ownership (ECO) scheme for petrol/diesel and hybrid vehicles plus car insurance
OR Company Car scheme for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) plus car insurance cover for you and a partner/eligible family member.
Other benefits: From day 1 we provide income protection, life assurance (4x salary), retail discount vouchers, access to Care Concierge (a service to support carers of adults), along with other salary sacrifice options including a will writing service and cycle to work (subject to scheme restrictions).
Following successful completion of probation, you will have access to private medical insurance for you (with the option to buy additional family cover), access to our loan car scheme for up to 2 cars for your partner or eligible family members (subject to scheme restrictions) and during our annual benefit window you can purchase critical illness cover and dental cover, so you can select the benefits that matter to you.
We invest in our people and are passionate about driving development. You’ll have access to LinkedIn Learning via our Degreed platform as well as a host of professional development programmes and opportunities to build your technical and soft skills so you can further develop your career. We also offer mentoring schemes and reciprocal partnerships recognising that we can all learn from each other in the flow of work.
Why join VWFS UK?
You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference by helping us to achieve our mission.
Our mission is straight forward; we want to be 'The Key to Mobility'. That means we make getting from A-to-B as easy and simple for as many people as possible. To truly meet the mobility needs of people in a changing world, our offering goes beyond traditional vehicle financing. We do this by providing a range of finance and aftersales products on Volkswagen Group vehicles, as well as developing innovative mobility products designed to solve real problems and support our customers.
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
VWFS is proud to be an inclusive employer and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion isn’t just a statement for us, we encourage and aspire for all our colleagues to be their 100% self. If you need any reasonable adjustments to assist you with the application and/or recruitment processes, please contact our Resourcing Team.
This role does not meet the UKVI’s criteria for the skilled worker sponsorship route, therefore we are unable to accept candidates requiring sponsorship for this role.
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Data Protection Specialist in Milton Keynes employer: Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values accuracy and compliance while supporting employee growth. With the flexibility of hybrid working and part-time hours, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance in the vibrant setting of Milton Keynes, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Protection Specialist in Milton Keynes
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Protection Specialist in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK). Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
