Legal Counsel - Data Privacy

AnaVation LLC; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global cybersecurity firm is seeking a qualified lawyer with expert knowledge of data protection laws, particularly the GDPR. The role involves advising the business, conducting privacy impact assessments, and managing employee data subject rights requests. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational and communication skills and experience in a global context. This position operates on a remote-first model, providing flexibility to work from anywhere in the UK.

Benefits

Remote-first working model

Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks

Annual charity initiatives

Global wellbeing days

Qualifications

• Proven ability to apply data protection law to business processes.
• Experience working in a global company across multiple business functions.
• CIPP/E or similar certification is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for data protection queries.
• Conduct and manage Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Advise business stakeholders on vendor onboarding regarding personal data.
• Update and maintain privacy policies and standard operating procedures.

Skills

Expert knowledge of data protection laws

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Experience with OneTrust or similar tools

Fluency in English

Education

Qualified lawyer

Tools

OneTrust

Job description

About Us

Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products.

Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services.

Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other everyday and state‑sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real‑time threat intelligence from Sophos X‑Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU).

Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

This role demands a strong understanding of data protection laws and regulations, particularly the GDPR, comparable data protection regulations, and the ability to integrate data protection regulatory requirements into business processes.

Key responsibilities include performing privacy impact assessments, providing day‑to‑day advice to the business about privacy and data protection, as well as producing guidelines, managing employee DSARs, conducting legal research, maintaining Sophos Product Privacy datasheets, creating and updating standard operating procedures, policies, notices, and governing regulatory criteria (Universal Platform).

Being able to understand the nuances important to privacy, security, and personal data protection is essential. You will be a proactive privacy counsel able to provide timely advice and business solutions in accordance with existing laws and regulations, as well as Company policies.

You will work closely with the Global Privacy Office and collaborate with the Legal team, global purchasing, HR, marketing and other departments, to provide advice and escalated, as necessary. You will report directly to the Senior Global Privacy Counsel (located in the UK) and will have the flexibility to be based anywhere in the UK.

What You Will Do

• Responsibility for being the Company’s first point of contact for data protection queries from commercial legal, HR and marketing and advice on data protection laws and regulations, ensuring the organisation's policies and practices align with legal requirements;
• Responsible for conducting and managing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and other privacy risk assessments such as Legitimate Interest Assessments;
• Identify and mitigate privacy risks by evaluating data protection laws and regulations and providing guidance to the business based on legal and regulatory requirements;
• Manage the fulfillment of employee data subject rights requests, including communication with requestor, external counsel, internal stakeholders and review final output, redactions and exceptions;
• Conduct legal research into a variety of topics and produce clear, concise updates and guidance;
• Review, and understand worldwide data protection laws and regulations, and own the ongoing maintenance of the Privacy Team’s Universal Platform;
• Advise business stakeholders on vendor onboarding where personal data is in scope, in collaboration with Information Security and Global Purchasing;
• Host sessions with stakeholders to build awareness of data protection requirements and internal processes;
• Responsible for reviewing, updating, and creating internal and external privacy policies, notices and standard operation procedures
• Update and maintain Sophos Product Privacy datasheets;
• Provide legal input (such as legal basis, data transfers mechanism and special conditions of processing) into the ROPA, as needed;
• Assist in maintaining and enhancing the Global Privacy Program;
• Help foster a culture that respects privacy and builds trust with internal clients and fellow employees;
• Work with the Senior Global Privacy Counsel, Legal Team, and other departments to integrate data protection controls in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements;
• Escalate data protection risks and issues to the Group Senior Privacy Counsel, where necessary.

What You Will Bring

• Experience as a qualified lawyer with expert knowledge of data protection laws, regulations, and standards specifically including in-depth understanding of the General Data Protection Regulation;
• Demonstrated experience in providing pragmatic, timely and actionable advice;
• Hands on approach and a proven ability to apply data protection law to business processes;
• Ability to present any legal analysis in a clear and concise manner;
• Drive and strong organizational skills and ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload and tight timelines;
• Experience working in a global company across multiple business functions;
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills;
• Self‑awareness, collaborative spirit, positive attitude, and high level of integrity;
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills;
• Experience working with data management automation tools such as OneTrust, is desirable;
• CIPP/E or similar certification considered an asset;
• Fluency in English is mandatory, additional European languages helpful.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back –we encourage you to apply.

What's Great About Sophos?

• Sophos operates a remote‑first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.
• Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit
• Employee‑led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy
• Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities
• Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint
• Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp
• Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge
• Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos