UK/EMEA - Privacy and Data Regulatory Legal Counsel

Cisco Systems, Inc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an experienced EMEA Privacy & Data Regulatory Legal Counsel to align Cisco's global privacy program with evolving digital, privacy, and AI governance across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

You will partner with Government Affairs, Product, and Legal teams to influence guidance and de-risk emerging tech. The role focuses on advising on privacy, data protection, and regulatory strategy, including data transfers, DPIAs, TIAs, and Works Council engagements across

Qualifications

• Law degree with active Bar admission in UK/EMEA.
• 10+ years as a privacy and data regulatory lawyer across EMEA.
• Proven track record managing international data transfers (EU SCCs, DPF, BCRs).

Responsibilities

• Provide Regulatory Counsel on privacy, data protection, and AI governance across EMEA (UK/EU GDPR).
• Champion Privacy by Design across Cisco’s portfolio including LLMs and AI features; lead DPAs/TIAs.
• Lead cross-border governance for data transfers; ensure compliance with EU SCCs and DP frameworks.
• Translate EU AI Act, NIS2, DORA, Data Act into practical product requirements.
• Support commercial velocity by resolving DPAs, data residency, and regulatory inquiries.
• Guide Works Councils and HR on employee privacy across EMEA jurisdictions.

Skills

Regulatory governance

Data privacy

Cross-border transfers

Business acumen

Education

Law degree

Bar admission (UK/EMEA)

Tools

CIPP/E

CIPM

CISSP

Job description

Location: UK, Ireland or Belgium

Travel: 10%

Meet The Team

Cisco Legal drives innovation with integrity. We partner across executive leadership, engineering, and sales to shape digital policy, protect customer trust, and champion ethical technology development. Our EMEA Privacy and Data Regulatory practice navigates sophisticated global regulatory landscapes, enabling Cisco to deliver groundbreaking AI, cloud, and security solutions with world-class governance.

Your Impact

As EMEA Privacy & Data Regulatory Legal Counsel, you will serve as a strategic advisor aligning Cisco's global privacy program with rapidly evolving digital, privacy, and AI governance frameworks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Partnering with Government Affairs, Product, and Legal teams, you will influence legislative guidance, shape industry standards, and de-risk emerging technologies.

What You'll Do

• Provide Regulatory Counsel: Deliver actionable legal advice on privacy, data protection, and AI governance across EMEA (including UK and EU GDPR).
• Champion Privacy by Design: Embed privacy and security by design across Cisco's portfolio (including LLMs and AI features) and lead complex DPIAs/TIAs.
• Lead Cross-Border Governance: Ensure compliance for international data transfers (EU SCCs, EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, BCRs).
• Shape AI & Digital Policies: Translate the EU AI Act, NIS2, DORA, and the Data Act into practical product requirements and executive guidance.
• Enable Commercial Velocity: Resolve escalated customer data processing agreements (DPAs), data residency requirements, and regulatory inquiries.
• Support Works Councils & HR: Guide employee privacy matters and Works Council engagements across EMEA jurisdictions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree with active Bar admission in good standing in a UK or EMEA jurisdiction.
• 10+ years of relevant experience as a privacy and data regulatory lawyer across EMEA frameworks.
• Proven track record managing international data transfers and global accountability frameworks (EU SCCs, DPF, BCRs).
• Sound business judgment with ability to balance legal risk and commercial velocity in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active external privacy or security certifications (e.g., CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, CISM, or CISSP).
• Strong experience with AI governance and emerging digital regulations (specifically the EU AI Act).
• Substantive experience at the intersection of privacy, cybersecurity, and operational resilience (e.g., incident reporting frameworks under GDPR, NIS2, and DORA).
• Experience engaging with European Works Councils and navigating local labor-privacy requirements.
• Professional working proficiency in one or more additional European languages (e.g., French, German, or Spanish).

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.