Senior Legal Counsel, Data Protection

Location: BELFAST ARNOTT HOUSE, United Kingdom

Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billons of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel, Data Protection

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom - Hybrid

About Thales Cyber Security Products (CSP): 

We are the worldwide leader in data protection, providing everything an organisation needs to protect and manage its data, identities and intellectual property – through encryption, advanced key management, tokenisation, and authentication and access management. Whether it’s securing the cloud, digital payments, blockchain or the Internet of Things, security professionals around the globe rely on Thales CSP to confidently accelerate their organisation’s digital transformation.

Job Overview: 

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Product and Regulatory Compliance, the Senior Counsel, Head of Data Protection will be the principal advisor for Thales CSP’s personal data protection compliance program. This role is critical to ensure General Data Protection Regulation compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and guidelines specifically tailored to current and emerging regulations that protect data.

• Ensure that compliance policies for relevant regulations are effectively communicated and managed by product and engineering teams across Thales CSP.

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to advance a cohesive compliance framework tailored to products that protect data.

• Advocate for compliance best practices in NPI processes, ensuring they meet evolving regulatory expectations.

• Lead training sessions and workshops to enhance company-wide awareness of CSP compliance requirements and related regulations.

• Promote a culture of compliance through ongoing education, ensuring teams understand the implications of the regulatory landscape.

• Act as a point of contact for regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders regarding compliance matters related to CSP.

Qualifications:

• EU or UK practicing lawyer with over 8 years of post-qualification experience in a top tier law firm or in a regulatory change advisory role.

• In-depth knowledge of EU regulations mentioned above.

• Proven experience in developing and implementing compliance frameworks and policies that adhere to complex regulatory environments.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, with a proven capability to work collaboratively across diverse teams.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence change and foster a compliance-oriented culture within the organization.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• A dynamic and innovative work environment.

• The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization committed to making a difference in the world.

Application Process: If you are interested in this opportunity and meet the qualifications outlined above, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and motivations for applying.

Applicants must have a valid work permit in the UK.

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!