Robert Walters
Data Privacy Lawyer - Banking (EMEA)
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Data Privacy Lawyer - Banking (EMEA)
This Data Privacy Lawyer - Banking (EMEA) is based in London (City) and reports to Head of Corporate Affairs - Legal.
A prestigious financial institution in the heart of London is seeking a Data Privacy Lawyer to join their Legal Department, supporting operations across the EMEA region. This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially minded solicitor with deep expertise in data privacy and commercial contracts to play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's approach to privacy, procurement, and technology agreements. You will be part of a highly respected team, working closely with colleagues across multiple jurisdictions, and contributing to the ongoing success of a global banking group. The role offers exposure to complex cross-border legal frameworks, cutting-edge technology implementations, and strategic procurement initiatives. Flexible working opportunities are available, alongside generous training and development support, ensuring you can grow your skills and advance your career within a supportive environment.
Role Overview
Work at the centre of EMEA operations for a leading financial services group, advising on UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and other privacy laws while collaborating with specialists across the region.
Take ownership of high-profile commercial contracts and procurement matters, including drafting and negotiating agreements for software, cloud services, technology licensing, consultancy, outsourcing, market data, and facilities management.
Enjoy flexible working arrangements and access to extensive training opportunities that foster professional growth within a collaborative legal team renowned for its commitment to excellence.
Key Responsibilities
As a Data Privacy Lawyer - Banking EMEA based in London (City), you will immerse yourself in a wide-ranging portfolio that spans advising on complex privacy regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Your daily responsibilities will include providing expert legal advice on personal data handling practices-collection, use, sharing, retention-and managing cross-border transfers under evolving regulatory frameworks. You will oversee policy reviews for privacy notices and disclosures while drafting robust agreements covering everything from software licensing to facilities management. Supporting procurement strategies from a legal perspective will be central to your role; you'll lead negotiations with critical partners while promoting contract standardisation through innovative LegalTech solutions. You'll also supervise responses to DSARs (including complex reviews), advise on incident response protocols for personal data breaches, monitor regulatory developments across EMEA/MENA regions, assist with intra-group SLAs/DORA matters, deliver internal training sessions on key topics, maintain meticulous records for all legal matters handled by your department, escalate significant issues as needed according to established procedures-and contribute actively to governance initiatives. Success in this role means being dependable in managing multiple priorities efficiently while fostering collaboration within your team; your ability to connect with colleagues across jurisdictions will help drive departmental performance forward.
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- Advise on UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable privacy laws across the UK and EMEA region by working collaboratively with data protection specialists and DPOs.
- Provide day-to-day legal guidance regarding the collection, use, sharing, retention, and international transfer of personal data within banking operations.
- Manage cross-border legal frameworks for transfers of personal data from the UK/EU with support from specialist external counsel to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Oversee the EMEA Data Protection Policy as well as related privacy notices and website disclosures through annual review and amendment in response to regulatory changes.
- Draft and negotiate data processing agreements and data sharing agreements while supporting DPIAs and LIAs for strategic technology implementations.
- Advise on personal data breaches by providing support to incident response teams and ensuring regulatory notification obligations are met promptly.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments in data protection and privacy across the UK, EU, and MENA regions where the organisation operates.
- Support teams managing DSARs by triaging incoming requests and supervising external counsel or ALSPs for complex reviews and redactions.
- Supervise provision of legal advisory services for procurement/commercial contracts by leading a small team to ensure documentation meets high standards in accordance with policies.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements including software/SaaS/cloud services/technology licensing/consultancy/professional services/confidentiality/outsourcing/market data/facilities management contracts.
- Act as a partner to Procurement by advising on strategy from a legal perspective while supporting negotiations with strategic partners.
- Promote contract standardisation through template development using LegalTech tools to ensure consistent standards in drafting/negotiation.
- Assist with intra-group SLAs including outsourcing arrangements and DORA-related matters as required.
- Support internal audits/governance initiatives when requested by senior management.
- Escalate significant legal issues appropriately according to internal processes while delivering internal training on data privacy/commercial contracting topics.
- Maintain appropriate records for the Legal Department including databases/directories/documentation management necessary to record transactions/matters worked on.
- Support manager in maintaining/reviewing know-how/policies/procedures/playbooks annually or upon material developments.
What You Bring
To excel as a Data Privacy Lawyer - Banking EMEA you will bring proven experience as a qualified solicitor (four years+ PQE*) ideally gained within both an international law firm setting and an in-house legal team. Your technical proficiency covers UK/EU GDPR regulations along with associated policies governing cross-border transfers/DPIAs/TIAs/DSARs. You have substantial experience drafting/negotiating commercial contracts-particularly those involving technology/software/cloud services/licensing/consultancy/outsource arrangements-underpinned by strong contract law knowledge relevant to financial institutions. Familiarity with PRA/FCA operational resilience/cyber security requirements/EBA Guidelines/EU DORA requirements; additional exposure to procurement transformation/vendor management programmes or AI governance adds further value. Your excellent commercial judgment enables you to assess risk thoughtfully while maintaining empathy towards clients/stakeholders. Organisational prowess allows you to manage competing priorities effectively; communication skills ensure clarity during negotiations/team interactions. You demonstrate innovation/problem-solving capabilities amid changing regulations-always maintaining meticulous attention to detail-and possess cultural awareness/interpersonal sensitivity that supports successful collaboration across borders/departments.
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- Qualified solicitor with at least 4 years' post-qualification experience* gained through an in-house legal team or international law firm or both.
- Technical expertise in UK/EU GDPR plus related data privacy law/regulation including policy development/legal frameworks for cross-border transfers/DPIAs/TIAs/DSARs.
- Significant experience drafting/negotiating commercial contracts combined with sound knowledge of contract law relevant to banking/financial services sector.
- Experience advising on technology/outsourcing/procurement matters within regulated environments such as PRA/FCA operational resilience/cyber security requirements/EBA Guidelines/EU DORA requirements.
- Familiarity with procurement transformation/vendor management programmes is advantageous; experience with AI governance in technology/procurement context is desirable.
- Excellent commercial judgment/risk assessment skills demonstrated through previous roles handling complex contractual/legal issues.
- Strong client service orientation reflected in responsiveness/empathy towards stakeholders internally/externally.
- Outstanding organisational/time management skills enabling effective prioritisation of multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional communication/negotiation/stakeholder management abilities facilitating positive outcomes during contract discussions/team collaborations.
- Demonstrable ability to innovate/support change/problem solve within fast-evolving regulatory landscape; high attention to detail ensures accuracy/compliance throughout documentation processes.
- Cultural awareness/interpersonal sensitivity allowing effective collaboration across diverse jurisdictions/departments; collaborative nature fosters teamwork/cohesiveness.
*as a guide, candidates with more and less who meet the role's requirement will be considered
Desired Skills and Experience
Privacy, Data Protection, Cross Border Transfers, DPIAs, Advisory, EMEA business support
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