Job Description
Regional Data Protection Officer UK&I
Location – Cheapside, London
Reporting to: Director of Data Protection
Role Objectives
Act as the regional lead for data protection, ensuring compliance with applicable data protection and AI laws across the region.
Own and manage data protection risk within the region while aligning with global data protection strategy and principles.
Serve as a trusted advisor to regional leadership on data protection and AI risks, embedding privacy by design and by default into business processes.
Support the organisation’s ethical and compliant use of emerging technologies.
Key Results / Areas
Compliance & Governance:
* Implement global data protection policies locally and monitor adherence
* Maintain regional Records of Processing Activities (RoPA)
* Maintain and keep up to date local data protection notices, consent language, policies and standards
* Work with wider regional legal teams to ensure data protection contractual templates are up to date and fit for purpose
Risk Management:
* Conduct and oversee regional and group-wide Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), Legitimate Interest Assessments (LIAs), International Data Transfer Assessments (IDTAs) and other risk assessments, as necessary
* Identify, assess, and mitigate data protection risks in regional projects and operations
* Lead incident response for data breaches within the region
* Identify and deploy regional level data protection controls and metrics to provide data protection risk assurance at region and global level
Regulatory Engagement:
* Monitor and manage emerging regulatory developments in data protection and AI
* Act as the primary point of contact for supervisory authorities and data subjects in region
Training & Awareness:
* Deliver data protection training and awareness programmes to regional teams
* Proactively engage with high risk teams to improve data protection education and awareness
Monitoring & Reporting:
* Track and report regional data protection metrics and KPIs to Group DPO and senior leadership
* Provide regular formal reports to regional executive leadership & work with Group DPO on Group level reports, including to the Executive Leadership Team and Audit and Risk Committee
Data Protection Operations:
* Act as the point of escalation for issues relating to data subject rights fulfilment and complaints
* Monitor and problem solve issues with any area of DP Operations within the region
Stakeholder responsibilities (customer/staff etc)
Collaborate with:
* Regional Senior Leadership – advise on compliance and risk, provide formal reports on data protection risk
* Legal, Compliance, and IT Security Teams – ensure integrated privacy controls, appropriate vendor management, etc.
* Country-level DPOs and Privacy Analysts – coordinate local implementation, fulfilment of data subject rights requests, resolution of complaints, and mitigation of data incidents
* Group DPO and Global Privacy Manager – align regional activities with global strategy
* Engage with external regulators and industry bodies as required
Knowledge, qualifications and experience
In-depth knowledge of:
* Local and regional data protection laws and cultural attitudes to data protection
* Local and regional AI laws and emerging AI governance frameworks
* Privacy by design principles and risk assessment methodologies
* Recruitment practices and Hays organisational knowledge is desirable
Qualifications:
* Degree in Law, Compliance, or Information Security.
* Professional certifications (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPP/A, CIPM) highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
* Stakeholder Management: Strong influencing and relationship-building skills across diverse cultures
* Communication: Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication for senior stakeholders
* Leadership & Ownership: Ability to take accountability for regional privacy risk
* Analytical Capability: Excellent risk analysis and problem-solving skills
* Technical Acumen: Understanding of data flows, security controls, and AI technologies
* Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to manage complex regulatory environments, evolving technologies, and competing business demands
At Hays, we share a passion for creating a culture of opportunities for our people to flourish and succeed, whatever your background. We know that diversity of perspective and an inclusive approach, which encourages those experiences and views to be heard, is great for business and therefore your career.