ICO
Information Rights
PrincipalLawyer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Lead candidates.
“Principal Lawyer at ICO. Skills: Data protection law, UK GDPR, DPA 2018, FOIA 2000, PECR 2003. Provide strategic, high quality, timely and risk-based legal advice on legal queries received from across the ICO.. Provide expert advice in areas of responsibility by being fully conversant with all relevant legislation (including data protection legislation) and ICO policies, as well as leading on developing strategy and thinking on novel and complex legal issues.”
What You'll Achieve.
Providing quality, timely and risk based legal advice in relation to the UK GDPR, DPA 2018, FOIA 2000 and PECR 2003.; Achieve consistency of approach.; Deliver new strategic ambition.
Industry & Context.
Excellent legal analytical skills.; Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation to particular situations and to engage in debate about these issues.
Travel due to business need., Some travel including overseas may be required., Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales or, in respect of Applicants qualified in a jurisdiction outside of England and Wales, must have an appropriate equivalent professional qualification and may be required to undertake the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examinations (or apply and be granted an exemption of one or both parts) within a defined period., Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements, as described above, including experience advising on data protection law., Experience of managing own workload effectively, particularly in a pressurised environment., Experience of providing strategic legal advice in a regulatory environment including knowledge of public law principles and/or the ability to quickly develop skills in this area., Experience of supervising other lawyers., Some experience of managing others and/or the ability to quickly develop skills in this area., Excellent legal analytical skills., Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation to particular situations and to engage in debate about these issues., Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, Understanding of the regulatory environment and the public sector generally including the democratic, political and organisational framework of a regulator., Ability to seek out, manage and influence opportunities for continuous improvement and change, Personally effective – excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise and delegate
What You'll Do.
timely and risk-based legal advice on legal queries received from across the ICO.
Provide expert advice in areas of responsibility by being fully conversant with all relevant legislation (including data protection legislation) and ICO policies
as well as leading on developing strategy and thinking on novel and complex legal issues.
Manage and develop lawyers in the Legal Service
provide supervision to other lawyers and
instruct external lawyers on key matters.
Seek continuous improvement in all areas of responsibility
and manage and lead on regulatory initiatives to ensure that implementation is successfully achieved.
Identify opportunities and risks to the ICO’s operations and reputation and make recommendations for improving the ICO’s legal risk management of its own regulatory compliance as well as that of external sectors/organisations.
Contribute to the development of colleagues in the ICO by preparing or delivering in-house training as required.
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Forge partnerships with other areas of the organisation to achieve consistency of approach.; Engage with colleagues across the organisation, media and other external stakeholders on important legal issues.
Communication Scope
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Process & Methodology
Manage and develop lawyers in the Legal Service, Manage and lead on regulatory initiatives
Full Job Description
**Principal Lawyer – Data Privacy Advice** Full time / Part time **Salary:** **£72,146- £81,952 pa** , with potential for further progression to **£92,273** with our pay progression scheme. **Location:** Hybrid Contracted to our London, Wilmslow, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office. Our Wilmslow office will be relocating to Manchester city centre from 28 September 2026. Once the move takes place your contracted office will be Circle Square, Manchester. Through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities and there will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.” **Why work for the ICO?** * Pay progression scheme. * Hybrid and flexible working options. * 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays. * Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year). * Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%). * Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more. * Health Cash Plan. * Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress. Further details can be found on the benefits section of our [website](https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/jobs/benefits/) . **Job description** The Principal Lawyer will be taking the role at a pivotal moment for the organisation and for the UK’s information rights framework. The ICO is becoming the Information Commission, reflecting our evolving role and responsibilities following the Data (Use and Access) Act, alongside the introduction of a new corporate strategy with refreshed priorities. The ICO Legal Service plays a central role in delivering this new strategic ambition. The Principal Lawyer will work within the ICO Legal Service (Data Privacy Advice team) on some of the most high-profile data protection matters, involving cutting edge legal issues. This will include providing quality, timely and risk based legal advice in relation to
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