Data Protection Officer - Life Sciences

The DPO Centre Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data protection consultancy in the UK is looking for a Data Protection Officer with extensive experience in Life Sciences. The role focuses on ensuring compliance with data protection laws and working with diverse clients. Candidates should have at least five years in a relevant role, strong communication skills, and a commitment to high-quality standards. This position combines remote work with travel to clients, requiring flexibility and a full driving license. Attractive benefits are included.

Benefits

Professional Membership and Training Funds

Wellbeing Resources

Electric Vehicle Scheme

Holiday Buy/Sell Scheme

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Qualifications

• At least five years as a Data Protection Officer or similar role.
• Two years of experience in the Life Sciences industry.
• Experience overseeing data protection for clinical research trials.

Responsibilities

• Fulfil tasks of the designated role of DPO as per GDPR.
• Advise organisations on data protection obligations.
• Implement compliance strategies and documentations.
• Deliver training and awareness workshops.

Skills

Knowledge of UK GDPR

Excellent communication skills

Ability to influence

Attention to detail

Strong problem-solving skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Degree or high-level qualification in law

Data protection qualifications (e.g., EU-GDPR-P)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job title Data Protection Officer – Life Sciences

Reporting to Pod Leader

Job location Remote

Employment status Permanent, Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We’re seeking experienced Data Protection Officers to support our continued growth within our Life Sciences sector. The role requires in-depth knowledge and a proven track record within the industry, a strong compliance focus, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability to influence and support positive change within an organisation.

For many clinical trial sponsors and other Life Sciences organisations, appointing a Data Protection Officer and Data Protection Representative are not only a legal requirement, but a prerequisite for obtaining trial approval from ethics boards and other relevant stakeholders.

You’ll be working with a variety of clients, which may include sponsors of clinical trials, research organisations, pharmaceutical manufacturing organisations, clinical research organisations, MedTech and Biotech companies.

Successful candidates will excel at managing a diverse client portfolio, skilfully prioritising tasks, handling conflicting demands with diplomacy, and upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work within deadlines are also essential, as is the ability to work independently while actively supporting the growth and development of our wider team.

As we are a service business, we look only to recruit proactive, motivated, and enthusiastic team players who are commercially savvy and passionate about their work. The ideal candidate will align with our core values and contribute positively to our culture.

Our services combine remote work with occasional on-site client visits. While we aim to assign clients near to each successful candidate’s home, flexibility for travel and occasional overnight stays is essential to meet client needs and is a core requirement of the role. Only candidates who can meet this requirement, have a full driving license, and access to a car (unless based in central London) should apply. All travel expenses will be covered or reimbursed.

Candidates should also demonstrate an open and forward-thinking mindset, particularly regarding the adoption of emerging technologies, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fulfil the tasks of the designated role of DPO as defined by Article 39 of the GDPR
• Inform and advise organisations of their obligations
• Implement The DPO Centre’s established processes and practices
• Create and implement strategies to ensure compliance with data protections laws
• Creation of all required data protection documentation and assets such as, DPIAs, Privacy Notices and RoPAs
• Prepare recommendation reports and corresponding Schedule of Works
• Devise, facilitate and deliver training and awareness workshops
• Support the client in responding to individuals’ rights requests
• Consistently inform and advise the client on governance, accountability and risk
• Keep up to date with changes in data protection law and regulations
• Actively contribute to building the overall knowledge base of The DPO Centre’s team

CAREER PROGRESSION

• Working with an ever more prestigious portfolio of clients
• The opportunity to develop sector specific expertise
• DPO >

Team leadership >

Senior Management

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and experience

• At least five years in a role as Data Protection Officer or similar responsibility
• Ideally, a degree or high-level qualification in law
• One or more data protection qualifications such as EU-GDPR-P, CIPP / E etc
• At least two years of relevant experience in the Life Sciences industry, ideally across multiple jurisdictions
• Firsthand experience of overseeing data protection considerations for clinical research trials (commercial or academic)

Personal

• Sufficient flexibility within your personal circumstances to be able to travel to and from clients such that a full working day can be delivered
• Ability to work independently yet also be a strong team player
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• The ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, trust and credibility
• Calm, controlled and resilient demeanour
• A commercial attitude towards time management and ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple active priorities
• Capable of dealing with complex issues using advanced problem-solving and diplomatic skills
• Open-minded and forward-thinking, with a willingness to embrace emerging technologies

Required skills

• A solid knowledge of the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and the provisions introduced under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
• Specific knowledge of the life science sector e.g. Clinical trial life cycles, applicable regulation, relevant frameworks such as MR-001 etc
• Able to maintain confidentiality, whilst instilling trustworthiness
• Adaptability whilst staying calm in high pressure scenarios
• Strong emotional intelligence in leadership, comprising of demonstrating empathy but remaining objective
• Excellent IT skills : Full Microsoft Office suite
• Highly organised, structured and disciplined, with great attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills

Advantageous skills

• Knowledge of IT and cyber security and ISO certifications
• Written and spoken EU language skills
• Specific knowledge of the health, tech or finance sectors e.g. Clinical trials, Caldicott Guardian, FOI, DSPT Toolkit etc
• Knowledge of other worldwide data protection laws
• Negotiation skills to ensure the most appropriate, rather than ‘easy’, course of action is taken

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We offer highly competitive salaries that reflect your skills and experience. In addition, we provide a range of fantastic benefits, including those listed below. Details of the full range of benefits will be provided separately.

• Professional Membership and Training Funds
• Wellbeing Resources
• Remote / Hybrid Working
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Holiday Buy / Sell Scheme
• Working Abroad Scheme
• Maternity and Paternity Leave & Pay
• Bank Holiday Swap Scheme

ABOUT US

The DPO Centre group, operating as part of Axiom GRC, is a multi-national data protection compliance consultancy formed in the UK in 2017.

We have provided outsourced Data Protection Officers (DPOs), privacy consultancy services, and GDPR Representatives to over 1000 organisations globally. The DPO Centre Canada Inc. is the most recent addition to The DPO Centre group of companies, which also consists of The DPO Centre Ltd in the UK, The DPO Centre Europe Ltd in Dublin, and The DPO Centre Netherlands B.V in Amsterdam, together with a network of representation offices throughout the 27 EU Member States.

Further details on The DPO Centre and our global team can be found at www.dpocentre.com

OUR CULTURE

Fundamental to The DPO Centre’s culture is our #OneTeam philosophy :

‘To inspire and develop one remarkable team that delivers the extraordinary’

Contact with other members of our various teams will be frequent, as will the opportunities for team social activities. Our mission is to nurture talent and empower individuals. We believe in constantly improving our processes and the best practice framework we employ with our clients. Sharing knowledge and experiences is a vital part of our culture and ensures you will quickly become part of our motivated, sociable, and connected team It’s an essential aspect of our culture and also helps new recruits to quickly become part of our supportive and interconnected community.

We strive to be a team that doesn’t just keep up, we set the pace.

OUR PEOPLE

Within The DPO Centre family we have bakers, skaters, bike riders, walkers, avid readers, ultra-runners, budding photographers, musicians, and keen travellers. Our team comes from all corners of the world, including New Zealand, Poland, Mauritius, Mexico, South Africa to name but a few.

Please see for yourself and meet everyone on our team page.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM?

Our offer to you is the opportunity to work in a dynamic and varied role within a structured team of like-minded and motivated professionals.

The data privacy industry is rapidly evolving, so this role will involve working on projects that encourage continuous professional growth and innovation.

We are committed to empowering everyone in our #ONETEAM with the knowledge and opportunities to positively impact attitudes, behaviours, and legislation for the benefit of future generations.