Data Protection Lead

Data Protection Lead – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract Division – Data Protection Compliance Department – Risk and Compliance Oversight Salary – National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £59,100 to £80,233 and London from £64,900 to £88,100 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience) About The FCA The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA. We are looking for a Data Protection Lead to support the Manager of the recently established Data Protection Compliance (DPC) team within Risk and Compliance Oversight (R&CO). This is an exciting opportunity to help strengthen the FCA and PSR’s data protection framework and ensure compliance with the Data Protection law. As part of the wider R&CO division, you will join a collaborative, forward-thinking team that values integrity, innovation, and continuous improvement. Working alongside experts in data protection, risk and compliance, provide advice on complex compliance issues, and help foster a strong culture of privacy across the organisation. What will you be doing? • Provide expert data protection advice as a subject matter lead, supporting and constructively challenging organisational compliance strategies across the FCA and PSR • Lead or support incident response for non-major data breaches and contribute to major breach investigations alongside the DPO and Deputy DPO, with flexibility for occasional out-of-hours work • Oversee resolution of data protection queries and complaints, offering guidance across the business and maintaining key compliance documentation including ROPA, privacy notices and policy frameworks • Drive assurance activities to assess risk and ensure compliance, while developing regulatory reporting dashboards using various sources. • Manage and mentor junior team members, fostering professional development through coaching, feedback and capability building • Shape and embed the team’s framework within the wider R&CO division by leading cross-directorate initiatives and promoting collaborative integration What will you get from the role? • Contribute to shaping the FCA’s data management strategy and lead cross-organisational change within a major public sector body where data plays a central role • Collaborate with teams across the R&CO division and wider organisation, supporting senior leadership in navigating complex decisions within a dynamic and evolving environment • Build strategic insight into the FCA’s operations while expanding technical expertise and professional capabilities in a supportive and fast-paced setting Which skills are required? We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. (To learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here) Minimum • Experience advising on data protection and privacy matters, with deep knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act (including Part 3) and broader regulatory frameworks • Experience interpreting and applying complex legal and compliance requirements, combined with a strong understanding of AI, with practical expertise in risk assurance, audits and data protection reviews • Experience in managing and mentoring teams, information security and emerging technologies and their impact on privacy compliance Essential • Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing demands and manage high-profile issues across internal and external stakeholders • Proven capability in making sound decisions based on nuanced judgement and complex regulatory considerations • Skilled in stakeholder engagement, effectively communicating the strategic value of data protection across diverse organisational levels • Experienced in handling complex data protection matters including incident response, complaints resolution and regulatory queries • Practiced in agile methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, adaptability and continuous improvement across teams and processes Our Values & Diversity We are proud to be an inclusive employer and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation. Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions. Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee are women (4 in 8) The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for this role. Benefits Of Working At The FCA • 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays • Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time) • Private healthcare with Bupa • A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% • Life assurance • Income protection We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle. Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA - Life at the FCA Application Support We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you. Useful Information and Timeline • This role is graded – Lead Associate – Regulatory (This role is a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract) • SC Clearance is required for this role - SC Guidance The successful candidate will hold or will be required to obtain Security Clearance (SC) level vetting • Advert Closing Date: 4th September • CV Review/Shortlist: 8th September • Competency Based Interview: 15th September Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time. Got a question? If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contact benjamin.paulon@fca.org.uk Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.