Data Protection Legal Counsel Maternity Cover

Job Introduction

Are you looking for a new challenge that gives you the chance to get creative and use your data protection and broader legal expertise to support key business functions and stakeholders here at Selfridges? Looking for a company that wants to help further your career as well as provide you with an exciting, inspiring and fun place to work?  

If the answer to all of these questions is ‘yes’ then you’re just the kind of person we’re looking for! 

Role Responsibility

This position is a 12 month fixed term contract.

As Data Protection Legal Counsel, you will understand Selfridges and it’s vision of being the destination for extraordinary customer experience. You'll understand and embrace Selfridges as a whole, from the customer facing front-of-house teams to the back-of-house functions and project teams that are needed to run a truly omni-channel, global, luxury retailer.

As Legal Counsel you will be impactful, building strong relationships and bringing a positive, pragmatic decision making focus to a fast-paced environment, identifying risk and balancing common sense with legal expertise. Outgoing, curious, naturally intuitive and empathetic, you place value in people, demonstrating a passion for the Selfridges’ business. You will be comfortable in questioning colleagues and external advisors to gain understanding and offer challenge, to advise and support colleagues within the business.

As Data Protection Legal Counsel you will:

• Provide expert data protection advice, supporting the DPO and the business. In all matters, ensure the business is advised promptly, proactively, commercially and pragmatically to help Selfridges be as effective as possible in achieving its strategy, vision and purpose
• Advise key stakeholders on legal issues affecting the business in a commercially savvy way, taking into account the nature of the business, its risk appetite, providing a steer and offering a view
• Keep colleagues and key stakeholders up to date on relevant law, compliance, legal requirements and best practice
• Provide sound legal advice to the business, in plain English and without jargon; sometimes using and managing advice and support from external advisors
• Assist with legal documents, contracts/ deals, process, disputes/ litigation or any investigations e.g. from a regulator. Draft, review, negotiate and administer contracts, and other legal, transactional, compliance or other documentations. Support on business projects. Analyse and identify legal risks, data protection requirements and implications for Selfridges
• Support the legal team to be a high performing team; inspiring, supporting, coaching, supervising and leading, as required, to help the legal team get to the core of a problem quickly, to navigate legal requirements and issues whilst supporting colleagues to achieve their goals to drive the business forward

The Ideal Candidate

• A lawyer (likely a UK qualified solicitor) with c. 5 – 8 years post-qualification experience; with specific data protection expertise/qualifications
• With excellent academics and great legal experience, including experience in-house, relevant to this data protection focused role and this business
• Someone with a proven track record as a lawyer, including some depth of experience on data protection matters; someone who can demonstrate their ability to translate complex data protection and legal matters into straightforward, pragmatic and user-friendly advice
• Experienced in supporting on other aspects of data protection work and compliance, such as data mapping and governance documentation and reporting
• Experienced in working In-house; able to demonstrate an understanding of the in-house role, its pace, demands and requirements
• Solutions focused and analytical. You are excellent at seeing through a problem and finding a solution, with strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail. Able to manage deadlines and a complex workload, able to adjust pace or direction
• A great communicator. With sound interpersonal skills and strong written and verbal  communication, you are able to challenge and influence business stakeholders
• You are an ambassador for the legal team, the DPO team and their roles
• Able to manage budgets, consider financial implications and plan resource
• Able to distil complex legal issues into concise and user-friendly advice or documents, a good listener, a good leader when required
• Understanding of excellent customer service from the customer and service provider’s perspective
• An example of our values, a trusted and respected colleague

This job is a brilliant opportunity to join a close-knit team who are incredibly passionate. If you’re looking to come into a new role and make a real impact, then this will be perfect for you.

About the Company

Our creative spirit

We are more than a shop. We are a social space where culture and commerce collide to release an energy that we call the Selfridges spirit. We are here to make our world brighter, and everyone is welcome.

Our awards cabinet

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign. 

Our future

Since 1909 we have been at the forefront of retail and today our stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham – alongside selfridges.com and the Selfridges App – continue to redefine the way we shop and socialise. As a Selfridges team member, you will learn what it takes to consistently drive innovation, success and amazing customer experiences.

THE FUN STUFF

There are lots of reasons to be excited about joining Team Selfridges – from our fantastic team member communities to volunteer days and behind-the-scenes Selfridges experiences throughout the year.

Other benefits and rewards include:

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme

• Discounted gym memberships

• Pension contributions 

• Annual travel pass and cycle to work schemes

• A volunteer day for all team members

• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development

Selfridges