Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Privacy Lawyer to join our Data Privacy - Risk team, based in A&O Shearman’s Belfast Office.

Data Privacy - Risk team – Belfast

A&O Shearman’s Risk function, led by partner, Simon Fuge, is comprised of teams of market-leading experts and is at the heart of the sustainability and success of our firm. It has a core responsibility to uphold the values of A&O Shearman and support the strategic objectives of the business. Our lawyers and industry experts provide high quality legal and risk advice to the global firm and its senior management, governance bodies and partners.

The mission of the Data Privacy Team is to foster a strong culture of data protection compliance throughout A&O Shearman while providing pragmatic and business-focussed advice in a highly regulated area. The Data Privacy Team advises on data privacy and information security issues affecting A&O Shearman, including:

• The creation and maintenance of a global programme of measures and documentation designed to ensure ongoing compliance with privacy laws globally
• The legal aspects of information security and data management to meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Incident response and remediation
• Dealing with individual rights requests
• Data export restrictions and data localisation requirements with a view to preserving international data flows
• Working closely with fee earners, IT and others on technology and data innovations to ensure privacy and information security by design
• Devising and delivering the firm’s privacy training programmes
• Advising on, and ensuring compliance with, applicable regulatory reporting requirements

What you will do

A&O Shearman is seeking an experienced individual to form part of the firm’s global Data Privacy Team and support all aspects of the work of the firm’s Chief Privacy Officer. It is a broad, fast-paced and challenging privacy role. The successful candidate will carry out tasks which draw on a wide skillset. The role would be suited to lawyers of 1 to 4 years PQE with experience advising on data privacy and data handling issues.

• Assisting in the support and maintenance of the existing global programme of measures designed to comply with privacy laws globally
• Helping to design, manage, support and deliver programmes of work designed to comply with changes to applicable data protection law
• Working closely with a range of stakeholders on technology and data innovations, including AI governance, to help ensure good data handling practices and privacy by design
• Providing advice and support on data incident response
• Responding to individual rights requests
• Advising and guiding colleagues across the firm on privacy and data protection issues and policies
• Conducting or advising on data privacy impact assessments, including in relation to software, systems and processes
• Establishing and maintaining good relations with key stakeholders globally to help support and roll out changes to the privacy compliance programme
• Developing and delivering training and communication plans in order to bring about/embed change
• Helping to create and maintain policies, guidance and pro-forma documentation in connection with data protection compliance within the firm
• Helping to gather and analyse data to support the work of the Data Privacy Team
• Creating content for and delivering presentations and reports

What you will have

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential:

• Qualified lawyer with demonstrable experience advising on data privacy and data handling issues
• An enthusiasm for technology and the ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes using business-friendly language
• Experience of dealing with and advising a wide range of business stakeholders in determining requirements and priorities, as well as resolving issues
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Office suite of applications and other software, such as eDiscovery or other specialist software)
• A proven ability to work independently and proactively and to manage and prioritise a busy workload
• Self-motivation and the ability to manage new and varied challenges
• Excellent attention to detail; and
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work well in a small team and on cross-departmental projects

Desirable:

• Experience in providing directive and pragmatic advice on data privacy, information security and data handling issues
• A relevant data privacy qualification such as CIPP/E and/or CIPM
• Experience of working in an international corporate or professional services environment
• Experience of working in a risk function or equivalent

What we can offer you

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits | A&O Shearman careers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here.

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