Data Protection Officer

BlockchainHQ; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bitvavo is seeking a senior Data Protection Officer to lead and evolve its privacy program from Amsterdam. You will oversee GDPR compliance, work with regulators and internal teams to ensure data protection across all products, and champion privacy by design in innovative ecommerce and AI projects.

The role requires a qualified lawyer with EU data protection experience and strong stakeholder management. You’ll report to the Head of Legal within Bitvavo's legal team.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with a law degree and EU data protection experience.
• At least 7 years in data protection, with 5+ years EU experience.

Responsibilities

• This role provides independent oversight of Bitvavo's compliance with data protection laws.
• Engage with data protection authorities and maintain records of GDPR compliance.
• Organise training and awareness on data protection across the company.
• Build a culture that embeds data protection and privacy.
• Communicate privacy implications of new technologies to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Assist in addressing data loss or breach issues.
• Challenge status quo with pragmatic privacy solutions for ecommerce/AI projects.
• Devise privacy-preserving methods for big data use cases and turn data protection into actionable recommendations.

Skills

Engage data protection authorities

EU data protection experience

Tech & ecommerce privacy

Legal analysis under time pressure

Manage multiple compliance projects

IT security & data analysis

Strategic, user-centered thinking

Education

Law degree

Job description

In 2018, Bitvavo launched the first version of its digital assets trading platform, to bridge the gap between traditional currencies and digital assets. By offering transparent fees, a wide range of assets and an easy to use platform, Bitvavo is making the currency of the future accessible for everyone.

In two years' time, Bitvavo has established itself as the market leader in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe, with over one million users exchanging tens of billions of digital assets a year.

About the Role

People trust Bitvavo with their money, their digital assets and their personal data. Your job is to make sure that trust is always deserved.

We are seeking a strong Data Protection Officer to drive and continuously develop Bitvavo's data protection program, ensuring compliance with data protection and privacy laws including the GDPR. Reporting to the Head of Legal, you will work closely with multiple business units and products to keep Bitvavo compliant across all areas of data protection, as part of the legal team based in Amsterdam. You will own the business processes and policies covering data access, classification, quality and life cycle management.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone ready to lead the DPO function independently, comfortable making decisions and engaging directly with regulators and with stakeholders at every level, including our Management Board.

What You'll be Doing

This role requires a broad understanding of data protection law, including knowing when to bring in outside expertise. You will provide independent oversight of Bitvavo's compliance with data protection legislation, with real scope to shape our data strategy.

• Advise and guide Bitvavo on the policies and standards needed to meet its data protection obligations

• Engage with data protection authorities, including regular briefings, and maintain accurate records demonstrating GDPR compliance

• Organise training and awareness activities on data protection and privacy across the company

• Build a culture that embeds respect for data protection and privacy, acting as the champion for compliance

• Communicate the privacy implications of new technology and proof of concepts clearly, to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Assist in addressing mandatory notification and other legal issues in the event of a data loss or breach

• Challenge the status quo with creative, pragmatic solutions to difficult data protection problems, including on innovative ecommerce and AI projects

• Devise privacy preserving methods for using large structured, unstructured, transactional and real time data sets, and turn data protection law, statistics and business judgement into actionable recommendations

What We're Looking For

This role requires a qualified lawyer holding a law degree, with at least 7 years of experience in data protection including a minimum of 5 years gained within the EU, which is mandatory given the EU specific nature of this regulation. Experience within the Dutch market of 5 years or more is a strong preference.

• Proven record of engaging directly with data protection authorities on compliance matters

• Experience handling data protection and privacy issues for a regulated entity, ideally in tech or ecommerce

• Strong knowledge of and interest in emerging technologies and their social and economic impact, including customer facing ecommerce

• Proven ability to analyze complex legal, regulatory and business issues and give sound advice under time pressure

• Experience managing multiple compliance projects, frameworks or teams, including internal and external resources and delivering training

• Knowledge of IT security and data analysis methodologies, with experience working alongside IT Security teams in a data driven business

• A strategic, open minded and user centered thinker, who communicates proactively, connects the dots across industry and regulatory trends, and stays focused on execution

At Bitvavo, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation, foster creativity, and lead to better outcomes. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, ability, or any other characteristic. Join us and be part of a team that values and celebrates your unique contributions.

Bitvavo does not accept resumes from staffing, search, or recruitment firms without a signed agreement. If you send us a resume without such an agreement, we may contact the candidate directly without any obligation whatsoever and no fee of any kind will be paid should we hire the candidate.

What We Offer

At Bitvavo, we believe in attracting, motivating and retaining talented people through market-competitive offerings that go beyond compensation alone. To learn more about our total rewards package and the benefits we offer, visit our Life at Bitvavo page.