Data Protection Lead, Hybrid/Leeds

Data Protection Lead

Location: UK (with global remit)
Division: Risk & Compliance

Make your impact where it matters most

Data protection is evolving fast, and so are we. This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how MPS protects personal data across the UK and globally. As our Data Protection Lead, you’ll be the trusted expert supporting the Group DPO, influencing decision‑makers, and ensuring we continue to operate with integrity, transparency, and compliance at our core.

If you’re ready to lead, advise, and elevate data protection standards across a complex organisation, this role is for you.

We are working at pace with this recruitment and will close the advertisement as soon as we find the right person, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

• Acting as a Subject Matter Expert on GDPR and global data protection laws, providing clear, independent advice to colleagues across MPS.
• Supporting and deputising for the Group DPO at Council, Boards, Executive Committee meetings, and with supervisory authorities across the globe.
• Leading and contributing to the delivery of the MPS data protection strategy, ensuring compliance across systems, processes, and third‑party relationships.
• Overseeing and advising on DPIAs, LIAs, RoPAs, consent assessments, and other privacy risk activities.
• Conducting and managing data incident and breach investigations, ensuring lessons learned and future risk mitigation.
• Producing high quality reports, trends, and insights to inform senior stakeholders on compliance performance.
• Supporting colleagues with data subject rights requests, ensuring fair outcomes and regulatory compliance.
• Helping build data protection capability across the organisation through training, awareness, and coaching.
• Contributing to audits, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Playing an active role in promoting an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Essential

• Strong understanding of UK GDPR, PECR, EU GDPR, and ideally exposure to global frameworks such as POPIA and PDPA.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multi‑task, prioritise, and stay calm under pressure.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical capability, and clear written and verbal communication.
• Drive and enthusiasm to deepen your data protection expertise and raise awareness across the organisation.
• Previous experience in a compliance or governance role.

Desirable

• A recognised data protection qualification (e.g., GDPR‑P, CDPSE, CIPP/E).
• Experience working directly in a data protection role.
• Awareness of upcoming data privacy reforms and their implications.

If you want to shape how a major organisation manages data responsibly, and influence decisions at the highest levels, we’d love to hear from you.

Alongside a competitive salary, you will also receive:

• Discretionary on-target bonus of 10%. Up to a max 20% based on performance
• 11% pension contribution (3% from you, 8% from us – optional additional matched 3% contributions, e.g. 6% from you, 11% from us)
• 25 days annual leave. Flexible public holidays and option to buy/sell additional leave
• Private Medical Cover
• Car Salary Sacrifice scheme
• 6x salary death in service
• Holistic health and wellbeing support package
• A truly flexible hybrid-working arrangement
• A culture that promotes inclusivity, wellbeing and rewards hard work