Interim Head of EMEA Data Protection / UK DPO

Interim Head of EMEA Data Protection / UK DPO, London

A major international organisation is seeking an experienced Head of EMEA Data Protection to lead its privacy and data protection framework across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for a 12 month contract.

This is a senior role with responsibility for shaping privacy strategy, overseeing regulatory compliance and providing independent advice on data protection risk across a complex multinational business.

The successful candidate will also act as the organisation's UK Data Protection Officer, serving as the principal point of contact with the Information Commissioner's Office and providing independent oversight of UK data protection compliance.

The Role

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the EMEA data protection strategy, governance framework, policies and procedures.
• Acting as the formally appointed UK Data Protection Officer, monitoring compliance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and related legislation.
• Providing strategic privacy advice to senior management and business leaders across EMEA.
• Acting as the principal point of contact with the ICO and managing regulatory enquiries, audits and investigations.
• Monitoring developments in privacy legislation across EMEA and overseeing implementation of regulatory change.
• Advising on UK GDPR, EU GDPR, PECR, international data transfers and data subject rights.
• Leading privacy risk assessments and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for higher-risk processing activities.
• Overseeing privacy risk registers, compliance reviews and remediation programmes.
• Leading the privacy response to personal data breaches, including assessment of regulatory notification requirements.
• Advising on privacy issues arising from commercial contracts, supplier arrangements, outsourcing and technology procurement.
• Supporting business initiatives involving AI, analytics, marketing and emerging technologies.
• Reviewing data processing arrangements and supplier/vendor due diligence.
• Developing and delivering privacy training and awareness initiatives across EMEA.
• Leading and developing a network of privacy champions across the organisation.
• Managing external legal advisers and specialist privacy consultants where required.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Significant senior-level experience in privacy and data protection within a large multinational or similarly complex organisation.
• Experience acting as a Data Protection Officer or holding significant responsibility for supporting a DPO function.
• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR, EU GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and PECR.
• Extensive experience of privacy governance, regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Strong knowledge of international data transfers, including transfer mechanisms and transfer impact assessments.
• Experience managing DPIAs, data subject rights requests and personal data breaches.
• Confidence dealing with regulators and advising senior executives on complex or sensitive privacy issues.
• Experience advising on privacy provisions within commercial, technology, outsourcing and supplier contracts.
• A pragmatic and commercially focused approach, with the ability to balance regulatory requirements with business objectives.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

A legal qualification would be advantageous, although candidates with substantial specialist privacy experience will also be considered.

Professional privacy qualifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT or the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection would be beneficial.

Experience of AI governance, emerging technology regulation and privacy matters across multiple EMEA jurisdictions would also be highly regarded.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please get in touch.