Assistant General Counsel, Privacy, AI & Data Responsibility

Mastercard; City Of London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global payment solutions firm is seeking a Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel to oversee privacy, AI, and data compliance. This role requires strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, extensive regulatory knowledge such as GDPR and CCPA, and the ability to manage a diverse team. The position is based in London with some travel requirements. Excellent interpersonal skills and a proactive mindset are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Admitted to and in good standing with at least one bar.
• Track record dealing with GDPR and CCPA.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on privacy, data, and AI topics.
• Advise on product design and controls.
• Lead and mentor an international team of lawyers.

Skills

Expertise in global PAIR legal frameworks

Background in payments

Strategic thinking

Exceptional interpersonal skills

Solutions-oriented problem solving

Education

Law degree from an accredited law school

Additional qualifications (e.g. Master of Laws)

Job description

Overview

The Privacy, AI and Data Responsibility (”PAIR”) team is looking for Senior Vice President (”SVP”), Assistant General Counsel, supporting Core Payments and Commercial, New Payment Flows (”CNPF”) our privacy, AI and data compliance across the company. The ideal candidate has a track record of being a strategic business partner by providing creative data solutions to complex global payment solutions.

This role reports to the Executive Vice President, Chief Privacy Officer, AI and Data Responsibility, and is part of the Core Payments and CNPF Legal Cabinet. The SVP, Assistant General Counsel, leads a global team of PAIR professionals supporting Core Payments and CNPF. The position is based in London, United Kingdom or other Europe-based locations where the role will travel to London on a regular basis.

Role

• Provide strategic leadership on any topic relating to privacy, data and AI as they apply to Core Payments and CNPF.
• Play a pivotal role in product development and operational support for Core Payments and CNPF business lines on a daily basis, advising on product and tech design and on implementation of adequate controls.
• Actively participate as a member of the PAIR Management Team, ensuring strong alignment across all PAIR units and the broader Law Department.
• Cultivate future leaders within Mastercard’s Law Department by establishing the vision and mission for the PAIR Core Payments and CNPF team and drive effective execution. Lead, mentor, and develop an international team comprising over lawyers and legal professionals.
• Contribute as a key member of the Core Payments and CNPF Cabinet, collaborating closely with peer legal teams on priority setting, resource allocation, and talent management.
• Oversee and assess shifts in regulatory requirements—such as privacy, artificial intelligence, and data localisation—as they pertain to Core Payments and CNPF products and services.
• Serve as a robust second line of defense for Vocalink Link Limited (”VLL”), representing PAIR at the VLL Board.
• Support both internal and external communications on all data-related initiatives associated with Core Payments and CNPF.
• Work collaboratively with regional PAIR legal counsel to maintain consistent understanding and interpretation of PAIR laws across global operations.

All About You

The ideal candidate for this position should:

• Law degree from an accredited law school and admitted to and in good standing with at least one bar (as appropriate/required). Any additional qualifications (e.g. Master of Laws degree) considered an asset.
• Solid expertise in and track record dealing with global PAIR legal frameworks (e.g. GDPR, CCPA).
• Have a background in payments.
• Strategic thinker, ability to connect the dots, proactive, and thought provoker. Active contributor in meetings with executive leadership.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, including executives and Board members.
• Business-minded, solutions-oriented, and pragmatic problem solver, working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Must be able to work independently and take ownership of the space but also collaboratively with other team members.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven experience in relationship building and partnering; must work well in both team and individual settings.
• Ability to work well as part of a team of geographically dispersed highly skilled professionals.

Corporate Security Responsibility

Every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security. All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and therefore, it is expected that the successful candidate for this position must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.