Data Protection, Risk, and Legal Associate

The Ascentis Group; Quernmore; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent educational charity group in Quernmore is seeking a part-time Data Protection Support to assist in compliance, governance, and data protection matters. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Law or Business Compliance and strong attention to detail. Enjoy flexible working arrangements with a minimum of 25 hours per week. This role contributes to the organization's commitment to high ethical standards and compliance across all activities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays

Access to state-of-the-art office facilities

Discounted gym membership

Tailored learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience required.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in legal, risk, and data protection matters.

Responsibilities

• Support drafting and reviewing contracts and policies.
• Manage data subject rights requests.
• Assist in conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Interest in data protection

Interest in AI ethics

Digital tools aptitude

Education

Degree in Law, Business Compliance, or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Overview

Starting Salary: £26,320.21 - £29,479.20 per annum, based on 25-28 hours per week (full-time equivalent £36,849)

Job Type: Permanent, part-time

Working pattern: 25 - 28 hours per week over a minimum of 4 days. Open to flexible and hybrid working patterns. Fridays are designated WFH days for the company.

About the role

In this role, you will play a key role in supporting the Head of Data Protection, Risk and Legal to ensure that Ascentis continues to operate to the highest standards of compliance, governance, and integrity across all its activities in the UK and internationally. You will work at the intersection of law, risk, and data protection, helping to protect the organisation’s people, partners, and reputation.

You will assist with drafting and reviewing national and international contracts, policies, and governance documentation, ensuring that all legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements are met. You will also contribute to maintaining and improving the organisation’s risk management framework by supporting the identification, analysis, and reporting of strategic, operational, and data-related risks.

A key aspect of your role will involve supporting the Group’s data protection and privacy programme, including managing data subject rights requests, conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), monitoring incidents, and helping to embed GDPR and international data compliance across all teams. You will also play a part in developing training materials and supporting awareness sessions to strengthen a culture of accountability and data ethics across the organisation.

Working closely with departments across the Group, you will help to ensure business continuity, support internal audits, and contribute to the safe and ethical integration of emerging technologies, such as AI, within compliant frameworks. You will also liaise with external advisors, regulators, and partners to support the organisation’s global expansion and uphold its position as a trusted and responsible educational charity group.

This role does not require the candidate to have 100% technical or legal knowledge from the outset. We’re looking for someone with a solid foundational understanding who shows genuine interest and aptitude in legal, risk, and data protection work. With the right attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to learn, they can quickly build the necessary depth through on-the-job training, mentoring, and structured support from the Head of Data Protection, Risk and Legal.

The full Job Description can be found by clicking here.

You will have

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Law, Business Compliance, or a related discipline.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive and organised approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• A genuine interest in legal, risk, and data protection matters, with a commitment to upholding high ethical and professional standards.
• The confidence to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues across departments.
• An interest in the ethical use of AI and emerging technologies within compliant frameworks.
• An aptitude for digital tools for work, such as the Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Note: If you have the following attributes, then we’d be even more impressed:

• Experience interpreting and applying UK GDPR, DPA 2018, or other international data protection laws.
• Knowledge of risk management frameworks, audits, or ISO standards.
• An understanding of intellectual property, contracts, or governance within an education or charity setting.
• Experience supporting data protection training or awareness activities.
• A relevant professional certification or membership (e.g. CILEx, IAPP, IRM, CIPD)

Further information

Closing date: 14 November 2025

Interview dates: W/C 16 November 2025

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Rafaad Ali, Head of Data Protection, Risk, and Legal at [e-mail].

We reserve the right to close the job vacancy early if we find an appointable candidate or receive a high volume of applicants.

This job does not meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for visa sponsorship.

About us

We are proud to be one of the UK’s leading educational charity groups, encompassing an awarding organisation, a provider of dyslexia intervention software and an online training organisation. Our enthusiastic people bring genuine passion and energy to everything that they do and through their energy they transform the lives of thousands of people each year through the power of education. It has never been a more exciting time to join The Ascentis Group as we continue our journey of growth across the UK and overseas.

We are market leading in the education sector and the specialist areas we operate within, maintaining the #1 provision for ESOL in the UK as well as being a leading Accredited Awarding Organisation. We are based in Lancaster but we have a national reach, with a significant customer base in London. We have recently secured two major achievements, winning the Innovation of the Year and Awarding Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Federation of Awarding Bodies awards.

The Ascentis Group is made up of brilliant people, unique in terms of background, personality, characteristics, experience and skill. We value our people for the differences they bring to the table and believe this diversity is powerful. We are an equal opportunities employer, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

To find out what our employees have to say about working at Ascentis watch the video found here.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays, birthday day off, closure days gifted during the Christmas period, increased annual leave with long service and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme (up to a maximum of 43 days)
• Competitive pension benefits, including a salary sacrifice scheme
• Access to Informal Flexibility, allowing you to flex your working times and location where viable
• Incremental service benefits as a family-friendly employer, including enhanced Maternity, Neonatal, Paternity, Shared Parental, Adoption Leave and Pay, Sick Pay, Life Insurance, and Paid Compassionate Leave
• Access to state-of-the-art office and break facilities, such as bean-to-cup coffee machine, vending machine, pool table, Xbox, outdoor seating, dressing room (with access to hair dryers, straighteners, airers, shower facilities), Harry Potter reading room, employee library and more
• Free parking, locked bike storage shed
• Access to car electric charging points (charges payable by employee)
• Tailored learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Home and Tech Scheme
• Discounted gym membership at 3-1-5 Health Club
• 24-hour employee helpline and a proactive focus on wellbeing
• Aviva DigiCare+ health app with access to virtual GP appointments, annual health check and more
• Reward and recognition scheme, regular team building and communication activities