Data Protection Officer

Lincoln Motor Company; Brussel; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ford Motor Company is seeking an experienced Data Protection Officer to join its global privacy team, supporting EU and UK GDPR compliance across the organisation. You will report to the highest level of management and own the EU/UK data protection framework, guiding actions for Ford Motor Company and Ford Credit.

You will collaborate with the DPO in Germany, provide pragmatic guidance on DPIAs, supervisory authorities, and data subjects’ rights, and promote a strong culture of privacy,

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of EU GDPR, UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Experience as a Data Protection Officer in a large multinational.
• Independence, professional integrity and sound judgement.
• Experience engaging with supervisory authorities, senior leaders and data subjects.
• Strong executive-level communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
• Pragmatic, collaborative approach balancing regulatory and business needs.

Responsibilities

• Inform and advise on data protection obligations under GDPR and other laws.
• Monitor compliance and coordinate awareness, training and audits.
• Provide advice on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Co-operate with supervisory authorities (EU, UK, ICO).
• Act as a contact point for supervisory authorities on processing matters.
• Act as a point of contact for data subjects exercising their rights.
• Apply a proportionate, risk-based processing approach.
• Build relationships across Ford entities translating regulatory requirements into actions.

Skills

DPO experience

Data protection law

Independence and integrity

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Pragmatic/collaborative approach

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Data Protection Officer to join our global privacy team, supporting both Ford Motor Company and Ford Credit. This is an exciting opportunity for a privacy professional who combines expert legal and regulatory knowledge with practical, commercially aware judgement.

Reporting to the highest level of management within the organisation, you will take ownership of the EU and UK data protection framework, helping to ensure that both businesses continue to meet their obligations under the EU GDPR, UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable privacy laws.

Acting as a trusted subject matter expert and working closely with our Data Protection Officer in Germany, you will provide clear, pragmatic guidance across a large, complex multinational organisation. You will help minimise privacy risk, strengthen our culture of data protection compliance and serve as a primary point of contact for supervisory authorities and data subjects on matters relating to the processing of personal data

As our Data Protection Officer, you will:

• Inform and advise the organisation and its employees of their data protection obligations under the GDPR and other applicable EU, Member State and UK law.
• Monitor compliance with applicable data protection legislation and internal privacy policies, including the allocation of responsibilities, awareness-raising, training and related audits.
• Provide advice on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), where requested, and monitor their performance.
• Co-operate with relevant supervisory authorities, including EU national data protection authorities and the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
• Act as a contact point for supervisory authorities on processing-related matters, including prior consultation where required.
• Act as a contact point for data subjects on matters relating to the processing of their personal data and the exercise of their rights.
• Apply a proportionate, risk-based approach, taking account of the nature, scope, context and purposes of processing.
• Build effective relationships across Ford Motor Company and Ford Credit, translating complex regulatory requirements into practical actions for business and technology stakeholders.

The minimum requirements we seek:

• Expert knowledge of data protection law and practice across the EU GDPR, UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Demonstrated experience performing the statutory tasks and responsibilities of a Data Protection Officer in a large multinational organisation.
• The independence, professional integrity and sound judgement required to act without conflicts of interest and to maintain confidentiality in the performance of the role.
• Experience engaging constructively with supervisory authorities, senior leaders, employees and data subjects.
• Confidence communicating with executive leaders, including the ability to explain complex privacy issues clearly, influence decisions and provide credible challenge.
• Experience operating effectively in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A practical, collaborative approach, with the ability to balance regulatory obligations, risk and business needs without compromising the independence of the DPO role.

Additional Information:

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.