VP, Legal Counsel – Data Privacy, Digital & Technology

PIMCO; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services firm is seeking a Vice President, Legal Counsel with expertise in data privacy and technology regulation. This strategic role involves providing legal guidance on GDPR, technology compliance, and cybersecurity for operations across EMEA. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years' experience in data protection law, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to influence legal strategy. Join to support the firm's digital transformation and contribute to operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE in data protection, technology law, IT/cybersecurity or related fields.
• Deep expertise in EU/UK privacy frameworks (GDPR, Data Protection Act).
• Strong understanding of AI, cybersecurity and technology regulations.

Responsibilities

• Advise on GDPR and EU/UK privacy requirements.
• Guide teams on lawful data processing and subject rights.
• Negotiate and review vendor agreements regarding data protection.

Skills

Data privacy expertise

Negotiation skills

Analytical capability

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified Lawyer (UK or relevant EMEA jurisdiction)

Job description

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income with deep expertise across public and private markets. We invest our clients’ capital across a range of fixed income and credit opportunities, leveraging our decades of experience navigating complex debt markets. Our flexible capital base and deep relationships with issuers have helped us become one of the world’s largest providers of traditional and nontraditional solutions for companies that need financing and investors who seek strong risk‑adjusted returns.

Since 1971, our people have shaped our organization through a high‑performance inclusive culture, in which we celebrate diverse thinking. We invest in our people and strive to imprint our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility and Excellence. We believe each of us is here to help others succeed and this has led to PIMCO being recognized as an innovator, industry thought leader and trusted advisor to our clients.

Position Overview

PIMCO is seeking a Vice President, Legal Counsel with deep expertise in data privacy, digital and technology regulation to join our EMEA Legal team. In this role, you will provide specialist legal guidance on a broad range of data, privacy, digital and technology matters across the EMEA region. You will partner closely with Legal, IT, Compliance, Risk and business stakeholders to ensure PIMCO’s growing operations meet evolving regulatory requirements. This is a strategic position requiring strong subject‑matter expertise, commercial judgment, and the ability to influence legal and operational strategy in an increasingly digital environment.

Responsibilities

Data Privacy & GDPR Compliance

• Advise on GDPR and EU/UK privacy requirements across all EMEA business activities.
• Guide teams on lawful data processing, data subject rights, cross‑border transfers and data breach reporting.
• Support responses to data subject access requests and ensure alignment with internal privacy policies.

Technology, Outsourcing & Vendor Arrangements

• Advise on Data/IT/Tech outsourcing and third‑party risk requirements.
• Negotiate and review cloud, IT and technology vendor agreements, including data protection and security terms.

AI, Digital Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Provide legal guidance on AI frameworks, including EU AI Act implications.
• Support the safe deployment of AI‑driven tools and digital capabilities across the firm.

Digital & Technology Regulatory Requirements

• Monitor and interpret emerging EU/UK regulations relating to data, digital services, fintech, operational resilience and cybersecurity.
• Advise on implementation programmes and ensure PIMCO’s global practices align with local regulatory expectations.

Business & Technology Change Projects

• Partner with project teams on IT upgrades, digital transformation, operational changes and AI roll‑outs.
• Identify and address legal and regulatory considerations across privacy, digital, cybersecurity and outsourcing domains.

Cybersecurity & Incident Response

• Advise on cybersecurity legal obligations and internal policies.
• Support breach response, regulatory notifications, client communications and incident remediation.
• Lead on legal aspects of fraudulent incidents (e.g., website or email impersonation scams).

EMEA Regional Coverage

• Act as the regional expert on data, digital and technology laws.
• Manage external counsel relationships and contribute to global initiatives by bringing an EMEA perspective.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified Lawyer with strong academic credentials (UK or relevant EMEA jurisdiction).
• 5+ years PQE in data protection, technology law, IT/cybersecurity or related fields, including substantial GDPR work.
• Deep expertise in EU/UK privacy frameworks (GDPR, Data Protection Act, e‑Privacy, international transfers).
• Strong understanding of AI, cybersecurity and technology regulations, including the EU AI Act.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, especially for DPAs, outsourcing agreements and IT vendor contracts.
• Strong analytical capability to navigate complex and emerging digital regulatory issues.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distil complex requirements for business and technical teams and present to senior audiences.
• Client‑service mindset, proactive, responsive and able to work independently within a collaborative legal team.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within financial services or asset management (in‑house or advisory) is highly desirable.
• Prior in‑house legal counsel experience.
• Exposure to multi‑jurisdictional regulatory implementations or cross‑border projects.

Why Join PIMCO

Data and technology innovation are increasingly central to financial services. This role offers the opportunity to support PIMCO’s expanding business, shape digital transformation initiatives, and contribute to the firm’s reputation for operational excellence.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff‑

PIMCO recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, military or veteran status, disability (physical or mental), any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other basis such as medical condition, or marital status under applicable laws.

Applicants with Disabilities

PIMCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system due to a disability and you would like to request an accommodation, you may contact us at 949‑720‑7744 and leave a message. This is a dedicated line designed exclusively to assist job seekers with disabilities to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.