Deputy Data Protection Officer (AI and Ethics)

Financial Ombudsman Service; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory body for financial services is seeking a Deputy Data Protection Officer to ensure compliance with UK GDPR. Responsibilities include managing data subject requests and providing expert advice. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in privacy risk assessment and data ethics. This role offers a 12-month fixed-term contract with a hybrid working policy, competitive salary, and generous benefits.

Benefits

25 days of holiday entitlement

Generous pension

Private medical insurance

Gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in assessing privacy risks and implementing mitigation measures.
• Proven ability to design and implement data ethics frameworks.
• Experience working with data analytics and promoting best practices.
• Track record of providing project management on digital transformation projects.

Responsibilities

• Support compliance with UK GDPR and related legislation.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Manage data subject requests and assist with impact assessments.
• Deliver staff training on data protection.

Skills

Privacy risk assessment

Data ethics framework design

Data analytics and science

Project management

Job description

Overview

Looking for a new challenge? Take a look at our current vacancies. If you see a vacancy that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

• Deputy Data Protection Officer

Are you committed to upholding the highest standards in data privacy and eager to assume a key role in protecting personal information? We are seeking a Deputy Data Protection Officer to contribute to our organisation’s ongoing compliance and privacy culture.

Contract: 12-month Fixed term contract (12-month secondment for internal applications)

Working hours: 35 hours per week constitutes full-time employment. Where possible, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working arrangements. Please indicate your preferred working pattern in your application.

Salary: Circa £62,525

Reporting to: Data Protection Officer

Location: London Docklands

Our permanent hybrid policy sees us all working at least four days across a fortnight in the office.

Responsibilities

As Deputy Data Protection Officer, you will play a critical role in supporting organisational compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and related legislation. Key responsibilities will include providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues, managing data subject requests, assisting with data protection impact assessments, and supporting the delivery of staff training. You will be central to ensuring the safeguarding of sensitive information while enabling the achievement of business objectives within a robust compliance framework.

Minimum Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in assessing privacy risks and implementing appropriate mitigation measures, particularly in contexts such as cloud migrations, cloud service usage, and the introduction of new and emerging technologies into operational functions.
• Proven ability to design and implement data ethics frameworks for the processing of personal data, ensuring the responsible use of innovative technologies including intelligent automation, pattern recognition and navigation tools, algorithms, and machine learning.
• Experience working with data analytics and data science concepts and tools to promote best practices in data ethics, with a strong focus on ensuring that models are fair and as free from bias as possible.
• Track record of providing project management and subject matter expertise on strategic and/or complex technology-based digital transformation projects and workstreams, delivering risk-based advice and in-depth analysis.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven ability to establish positive working relationships and to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving and process enhancement.
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Dedication to continuous professional development within the domains of data protection and privacy.

Why Financial Ombudsman Service?

We are a values led organisation. Our values define our culture, influence our decisions, and underpin our vision and strategy. They set out how we play our PART through Purpose, Ambition, Respect and Trust. You can learn more about our values here: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/aims-values

Benefits

• 25 days holiday entitlement, with the option to buy extra or sell days
• Generous pension
• Various Family Friendly Policies, including enhanced maternity pay, carers and dependants leave
• Employer provided benefits such as Private medical insurance, virtual GP, Critical illness cover, Life assurance cover, to name a few
• Choice of voluntary benefits including Technology scheme, Cycle to work scheme, Will-writing service amongst others
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Extensive opportunities for personal and career development
• Nationwide gym membership discounts, and a fully equipped on-site gym open 24/7 in London
• Extensive Well-being resources including on-site therapists (London office only)
• Beautiful and bright London office looking over the Thames and near to mainline stations
• Our employee led networks (a couple of examples being our Women's Network, Carers network, and Neurodiverse Network) do fantastic work in educating and raising awareness across a range of experiences and support us in being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. You can get involved, too!

How do I apply?

• Please apply by uploading a current CV, there is also an option to leave a supporting statement should you wish to include one in your application

Applications need to be submitted 23:59 Wednesday 15th October 2025

Please note, to apply for a role internally, you must have successfully passed probation, and have no live warnings on PIP’s in place

Due to high application numbers this advert may end earlier than the date specified, so please don\'t delay and apply now!

A full job profile is available on request and will be provided to candidates shortlisted to the first stage of the assessment process.

Inclusivity

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer

We view diversity as fundamental to our success and welcome applications from underrepresented groups across all communities.

We’re committed to being a great place to work– attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints.

We welcome applications from Black and other ethnic minority candidates, and female candidates, for all positions and particularly so for senior leader positions as they are under-represented within the Financial Ombudsman Service at this level.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates entering under the scheme through to the next stage of the recruitment process should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any reasonable adjustments you need, please email [e-mail] and let us know your preferred method of contact.

Find out more

Check out below channels to find out more about everyday life at the Financial Ombudsman Service – and don’t forget to follow us while you’re there!

• LinkedIn: Financial Ombudsman Service
• Our careers page: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us

Good luck with your application!