Data Protection Associate

Michael Page Legal; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company is seeking a Data Protection Associate to support data protection compliance across the EMEA region. This role involves managing privacy assessments, overseeing a privacy helpdesk, and ensuring compliance with GDPR. Ideal candidates will have 3-5 years of experience in data protection, strong knowledge of GDPR, and familiarity with OneTrust. The position offers a competitive salary up to £62,000 and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £62,000

Discretionary annual bonus

Hybrid working

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in data protection and privacy compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of GDPR, UK Data Protection Act.
• Experience in vendor and third-party privacy assessments.

Responsibilities

• Support DPO and DPM in ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
• Manage privacy assessments using OneTrust.
• Oversee the EMEA privacy helpdesk and respond to queries.

Skills

Experience in data protection compliance

Strong knowledge of GDPR

Experience with OneTrust

Understanding of AI regulations

Familiarity with global data protection laws

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

OneTrust

Job description

A Data Protection Associate role in the Pharmaceutical industry, this role supports the EMEA business covering data protection and privacy compliance. The role offers hybrid working, with three days a week to be spent in the Hertfordshire office.

Client Details

Join a research based pharmaceutical business with a global presence. This Data Protection Associate joins an EMEA compliance team, supporting the DPO and Data Protection Manager. This role is based in Hertfordshire.

Description

This Data Protection Associate role involves:

Support the EMEA Data Protection Officer (DPO) & EMEA Data Protection Manager (DPM) in ensuring that operations across the EMEA region, as well as other entities outside the UK/EU, comply with the GDPR and all relevant local data protection laws. This role plays a key part in maintaining the company's commitment to privacy, regulatory compliance, and ethical data handling.

• Manage Privacy Assessments - Create and maintain assessment templates in OneTrust. You will be the main point of contact for assessments and lead all data protection reviews such as Service Assessments, DPIAs, AI Impact Assessments, Legitimate Interest Assessments, Vendor Assessments, and Transfer Impact Assessments.
• Helpdesk Management - Oversee the EMEA privacy helpdesk, respond to queries promptly, and escalate complex issues to DPM or DPO when necessary.
• Maintain Data Registers - Ensure records of processing activities are accurate and compliant with GDPR Article 30.
• Compliance Reviews - Assist DPM and DPO with conducting regular reviews of business data processing activities, provide actionable recommendations, and identify areas for improvement.
• Training & Awareness - Design and deliver engaging training sessions tailored to different teams to foster a strong privacy culture.
• Incident & Breach Management - Respond to data incidents and breaches, perform risk assessments, and escalate appropriately.
• Policy, SOP and Working Instruction Updates - Keep privacy policies, SOPs and templates up to date with evolving legal and regulatory requirements and ensuring revisions to these documents are mirrored in the team's Working Instructions.
• Support & Advice - Act as an advisor, offering practical guidance on privacy matters and helping teams navigate complex regulations.
• Data Subject Requests - Ensure timely and compliant handling of requests such as access, deletion, and consent withdrawal.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve - Monitor local and global privacy law developments and implement best practices to maintain compliance and efficiency.
• Team Collaboration - Actively contribute to team projects and process improvements to enhance compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Other Tasks - Support additional team activities and responsibilities as needed.

Profile

A successful Data Protection Associate should have:

• 3-5 years* of experience in data protection and privacy compliance role (* given as guidance only, candidates with more or less experience that meet the technical requirements of the role will also be considered).
• Strong working knowledge of GDPR, UK GDPR, and the UK Data Protection Act, with hands‑on experience applying these regulations in a business setting.
• Experience using data privacy online platform (OneTrust would be preferred but not essential), including creating and updating privacy assessments and templates.
• Understanding of AI regulations and AI Governance, especially the EU AI Act, and how AI impacts personal data processing.
• Previous experience in a data protection or privacy role—ideally within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector.
• Familiarity with other global data protection laws (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Israel) is a plus, but not essential.
• Practical Experience in Privacy Operations
• You should be able to demonstrate experience in one or more of the following:
• • vendor and third‑party privacy assessments
  • data protection compliance reviews
  • data protection impact assessments (DPIAs)
  • legitimate interest assessments (LIAs)
  • transfer impact assessments (TIAs)
  • AI Impact Assessments (AIIAs)

Job Offer

• A competitive salary ranging up to £62,000
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Permanent position based in Hertfordshire
• Hybrid working (3 days a week in the office)
• A supportive and professional working environment.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career as a Data Protection Associate, we encourage you to apply today.