Senior Legal Counsel – DataProtection & Privacy
This is a senior legalrole within Sky’s Group Data Privacy function, supporting thedelivery of Sky’s data protection strategy and governanceframework.
Reporting to the Head Counsel – DataProtection & Privacy, you will play a key role in advising oncomplex UK and EU data protection matters, translating legalrequirements into practical, operational guidance and supportingthe implementation of scalable governance across thebusiness.
You will work acrossa broad range of data, digital and AI-related issues, partneringclosely with Legal, Data Protection Operations, Cyber, Technology,Sky Data and Commercial teams to ensure that Sky’s data use iscompliant, responsible and enables innovation andgrowth.
The role also supportscross-market alignment across the UK, Ireland and Italy, helping toembed consistent legal standards while recognising local regulatoryrequirements.
What You’llDo
Legal Advice &Support
- Providehigh-quality, pragmatic legal advice on UK GDPR, EU GDPR, ePrivacy,AI-related privacy issues and related data protection laws inconnection with Sky’s use of customer, workforce and contributordata.
- Lead or support the Head Counsel oncomplex, high-risk and strategic matters, including productlaunches, commercial initiatives and regulatory issues.
- Advise on complex AI, data, cyber and emerging digitalregulatory issues, translating legal requirements into practicalbusiness guidance.
- Provide practical,risk-based advice to business stakeholders on BAU data protectionissues.
- Support the development of clear,defensible legal positions anddocumentation.
LegalGovernance & FrameworkImplementation
- Support theimplementation of the Group’s data protection legal frameworkacross business areas.
- Advise on DPIAs, LIAs,data sharing, international transfers, retention and high-riskprocessing activities.
- Help ensure consistencyand quality in legal advice and decision-making acrossteams.
- Identify recurring risk themes andsupport remediation and processimprovement.
Partnershipwith Data Protection Operations
- Work closely with the DPO and DP Operations teams andrelated business operational teams to align legal requirements withoperational processes.
- Support the embeddingof scalable policies, controls and governancemechanisms.
- Advise on data incident and breachresponse where required.
- Help define and applylegal guardrails and escalation thresholds in practice.
- Contribute to a “one privacy function” approach acrosslegal and operationalteams.
Consent, Marketing& Digital
- Advise onconsent frameworks, customer preferences and marketingpractices.
- Support legal oversight of digitalproducts, advertising technology and data-driven usecases.
- Ensure compliance with legal andregulatory expectations on transparency, fairness and customerrights.
Cross-MarketCollaboration
- Work withlocal market legal and DP teams in Ireland and Italy to supportconsistent application of standards.
- Provideinput on cross-border data protection issues and regulatorydevelopments.
- Help promote best practice andknowledge sharing acrossmarkets.
Regulatory &Risk Support
- Supportengagement with regulators (e.g. ICO, DPC) including responses toqueries and investigations.
- Assist withregulatory submissions and documentation.
- Ensure robust record-keeping and defensibledecision-making.
TeamContribution & Development
- Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing andinclusive team culture aligned with Sky’s Values.
- Provide coaching and support to junior team members whereappropriate.
- Build strong relationships withstakeholders across Legal and the wider business.
- Support delivery of the Data Privacy team’s objectivesand broader Legalpriorities.
What You’llBring
Essential:
- UK or equivalent qualified lawyer with significantpost-qualification experience advising on complex UK and EU dataprotection matters in-house and/or in private practice.
- Demonstrable experience influencing senior stakeholdersand shaping strategic decisions on high-profile, business-criticalprivacy, data and AI initiatives.
- Deepexpertise in UK GDPR, EU GDPR, ePrivacy and related regulatoryframeworks, with the ability to apply legal principles creativelyand pragmatically to complex business, technology and AI usecases.
- Experience advising on privacy issuesrelating to content services, advertising technology (AdTech),audience measurement, marketing technologies, digital products anddata-driven customer experiences.
- Experienceproviding practical, risk-based legal advice to businessstakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills andability to translate complex legal requirements into clearguidance.
- Ability to work collaborativelyacross functions in a fast-paced environment.
- Commercial awareness and interest in data-driven businessmodels.
- A positive, collaborative approach andenjoyment of working with stakeholders across thebusiness.
Desirable:
- Experience in media, telecommunications, technology ordigital sectors.
- Experience advising within amedia, telecommunications or technology organisation operatingacross a broad range of services and products.
- Experience working in a large, matrixedorganisation.
- Familiarity with cross-borderdata protection issues.
- Experience advising onAI, machine learning, advanced analytics or other complexdata-driven use cases.
- Familiarity withemerging cyber and digital regulation.
- Experience advising on data protection issues in thecontent space (e.g. news, production, sports)
- Experience supporting governance frameworks ortransformationprogrammes.
Benefitsandperks
There’sone thing people can’t stop talking about when it comes to life atSky: the perks. Here’s a taster:
- Free Sky TV, including Sky Sports and SkyCinema
- Pensionpackage with up to 9% employer contribution
- Private healthcare with mental healthsupport
- Aviva DigitalGP and dental insurance
- Discounts on Sky products, including SkyMobile, Sky Broadband, Sky Glass and SkyProtect
- Sharesave andTech schemes
- A rangeof Sky VIP rewards andexperiences
Howyou’ll work
AtSky, we want to be a community that thrives by being together.Flexible working remains a key part of that. We want our people tohave the best of both worlds: time working at home, as well as timein the office.
Thehybrid working expectations for this role are 3 days inthe office perweek.
Youroffice base
Osterley
OurSky Group HQ. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology andworkspaces, there’s plenty of space to see your big ideas come tolife. Here you’ll find 13 subsidised restaurants and cafes. You canre-energise at our gym, catch the latest films at our cinema, getyour car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon.OurOsterley Campus is just a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane trainstation, or you can get one of our free shuttle buses fromOsterley, Gunnersbury and Ealing Broadway stations. Plus, there’sfree onsite parking available for cars, motorbikes andbicycles.
Whowe are
We’reSky, a leading media and entertainment company who connect millionswith entertainment, sports, news and arts through innovativeproducts and services. Working with us means you’ll be bringing thejoy of a better experience to more people, every day. All so we cando better and deliver better for our customers, colleagues andsociety.
We’re an equalopportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We’re aDisability Confident Accredited Employer, and welcome and encourageapplications from all candidates. We will look to ensure a fair andconsistent experience for all and will make reasonable adjustmentsto support you where appropriate. Please flag any adjustments youneed as early as youcan.
Justso you know: if your application is successful, we’ll ask you tocomplete a criminal record check. And depending on the role youhave applied for and the nature of any convictions you may have, wemight have to withdraw theoffer.
Tobe eligible for this role you are required to have the appropriateright to work in the UK. Please be aware Sky does not offersponsorship for thisposition.
Tofind out more about working with us, search#LifeAtSky on socialmedia.
Pleasenote: We reserve the right to close this advertisement atany time once we have received a sufficient number ofapplications
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