Data Protection Advisor

Ford Motor Company; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive company is seeking a Data Protection Advisor to oversee privacy compliance for customer and employee data. The successful candidate will leverage extensive experience in GDPR and ePrivacy, conducting assessments, managing requests, and providing training. This role fosters collaboration with stakeholders and requires a proactive approach to regulatory changes. The position is based in Dunton with flexible office attendance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in data protection roles.
• Experience in large, matrixed, multinational organizations.
• Strongly Preferred: IAPP certifications (CIPM, CIPP/E, CIPT).

Responsibilities

• Support privacy compliance efforts for customer and employee data.
• Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Assist in managing data subject rights requests.

Skills

GDPR

ePrivacy

Data architecture

Strong communication

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Global regulatory frameworks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law

Tools

OneTrust

Job description

At Ford, protecting customer and employee privacy is a top priority. As a Data Protection Advisor, you’ll report to the Deputy Data Protection Officer and work closely with senior stakeholders across the business.

Qualifications

The minimum requirements we seek:

• Proven experience advising on GDPR, ePrivacy, and the EU AI Act
• Strong knowledge of privacy documentation (e.g., DPIAs, privacy notices, contracts)
• Experience with data architecture, data flows, and cloud-based services
• Excellent communication skills—able to simplify complex topics for diverse audiences
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to influence and mentor across teams
• Ability to quickly grasp and apply global regulatory frameworks
• Experience in large, matrixed, multinational organizations

Our preferred requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (or equivalent)
• 10+ years of progressive experience in data protection roles
• Confident in leading strategic privacy discussions with a risk-based mindset
• Creative, future-focused thinker who embraces innovation and change
• Skilled communicator across multiple channels and audiences
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience handling DSARs, incidents, and breaches
• Strongly Preferred: IAPP certifications (CIPM, CIPP/E, CIPT)
• Strongly Preferred: Experience advising on global privacy compliance
• Desirable: Familiarity with OneTrust or similar privacy management tools

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.

This position is based in Dunton and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton office for typically 2 to 3 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements.

As part of our pre-employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.

Responsibilities

• Support privacy compliance efforts for customer and employee data
• Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and evaluate AI-related initiatives
• Assist in managing data subject rights requests and privacy incidents
• Deliver training and awareness programs across the organization
• Perform internal privacy audits and contribute to continuous improvement
• Help implement Ford’s global privacy strategy and privacy-by-design principles
• Partner with business units to address privacy and data access needs
• Monitor regulatory developments and support compliance with evolving laws