Data Privacy Associate

Founders Law•London, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a commercially minded, UK-qualified Data Privacy Lawyer to join our growing Commercial team and act as a trusted advisor to high-growth, tech-enabled businesses. This role sits at the intersection of privacy law, technology, and real-world decision-making. You’ll advise founders, in-house teams, and scaleups on data protection in a way that is practical, proportionate, and aligned to how businesses actually operate. You won’t be hidden behind research notes or internal memos. Our clients see you as their lawyer, embedded, accountable, and commercially switched on. You’ll help them navigate GDPR, AI-related privacy risk, and global data issues while scaling quickly across jurisdictions. No compliance for compliance’s sake. No theory without application. Just clear advice that helps businesses move forward safely.

Requirements

UK-qualified lawyer (or equivalent qualification in a common law jurisdiction)
4+ years PQE
Trained in private practice and worked inhouse for a fast scaling company
Strong, hands-on data protection and privacy experience
Deep knowledge of UK and EU GDPR
Experience advising on privacy notices, DPAs, international transfers, DPIAs, DSARs, and internal policies
Commercially minded, you understand how legal advice lands in fast-moving businesses
Excellent written and verbal communicator
Comfortable advising clients outside your jurisdiction of qualification but inside common law jurisdictions
Independent thinker with sound judgment and confidence in decision-making

Nice To Haves

In-house experience within a privacy or legal function
Exposure to AI technology and its regulation or governance
Experience working with tech-enabled or high-growth companies

Responsibilities

Advise on UK and EU GDPR compliance, risk, and strategy
Draft, review, and advise on: - Privacy notices - Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) - International data transfer mechanisms - Internal data protection policies and frameworks - DPIAs and risk assessments
Support clients with DSARs, breach response, and regulator-facing issues
Provide pragmatic advice on privacy by design and operational compliance
Support clients operating across Europe, the Middle East, and other common law jurisdictions
Advise on a broad range of commercial and technology agreements
Support on contracts with embedded data protection, IP, and consumer law considerations
Work closely with clients’ product, tech, and leadership teams to unblock issues quickly
Apply data protection principles to AI products, automation, and emerging technologies
Sit as embedded in-house counsel for multiple fast-growth businesses
Build long-term, trusted relationships with founders and in-house teams
Communicate complex legal issues in clear, human language
Know when to give decisive advice, and when to escalate thoughtfully
Collaborate closely with senior lawyers across commercial, employment, and regulatory teams
Familiarity with intellectual property and consumer law concepts
CIPP/E certification or willingness to obtain
Tech-savyy and comfortable working with modern legal and productivity tools

Benefits

Competitive salary
Discretionary quarterly profit share bonus and annual bonus opportunities
25 days annual leave, don't worry, bank holidays are on top
Day off on your birthday & other significant life events
5 days leave for education a year + dedicated annual education budget just for you
Private healthcare with Vitality
Private Dental care + hearing and discounts with Vision Express
£350 home setup allowance
Worldwide travel insurance, including Winter Sports
Annual emergency childcare allowance
Half-price gym membership at Virgin Active
Electric car leasing salary sacrifice scheme saving up to 40% on electric cars
Cycle to work scheme saving up to 32% on a bike and splitting your payments over 12 months
Tech-funded scheme so you can kit out your house with a discount and split payments interest-free over 12 months
There are socials every two to three weeks if you want to join us, from bars and restaurants to experiences at the F1 Arcade, Gamebox, Fairgame, and many more.