Senior In-House Lawyer/Specialist - Data Privacy and Governance
A&O Shearman

Job Info

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A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department Purpose
A&O Shearman's Risk function is comprised of teams of market-leading experts and is at the heart of the sustainability and success of our firm. It has a core responsibility to uphold the values of A&O Shearman and support the strategic objectives of the business. Our lawyers and industry experts provide high quality legal and risk advice to the global firm, its senior management, governance bodies and partners.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a truly global team and play a vital role in supporting A&O Shearman's privacy and data governance program. The mission of the Data Privacy Team is to foster a strong culture of data protection compliance and good data governance throughout the firm, while providing pragmatic and business-focused advice. The team advises the global business on:

• Data protection compliance globally
• Data and AI governance
• Cyber Security and data incident response

Key Relationships

• Chief Privacy Officer US General Counsel

Context
A&O Shearman is seeking an experienced professional to join the firm's global Data Privacy Team. As a senior member, you will report directly to the Chief Privacy Officer, taking on a dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging role in privacy and data governance. This position is ideal for lawyers with at least six years of legal practicing experience or non-lawyers with a proven track record in risk management or in-house legal teams. If you have a keen interest in data governance, cybersecurity, and incident response, this role is perfect for you.

Role and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advise on compliance with privacy laws and data governance requirements globally, responding to queries from colleagues worldwide.
• Help to manage, support and deliver work designed to comply with changes to data protection, privacy and security laws in the United States and APAC.
• Work with a diverse range of stakeholders to deliver the firm's privacy program, streamline its operating model to meet evolving business needs and ensure global consistency.
• Provide support and advice on data incident response.
• Contribute to the development of, and guidance on, the firm's market-leading AI governance program.
• Partner with stakeholders on technology and data innovations to ensure good data handling practices and privacy by design.
• Establish and maintain good relations with stakeholders, particularly in the United States, to help support and roll out changes to the privacy compliance program and to promote and develop data governance best practice.
• Develop and deliver training and communication plans.
• Create and maintain records, policies, guidance, and pro-forma documentation related to data protection compliance, incident response and data governance best practice.
• Help manage and support junior members of the team in their professional development.
• Support all aspects of the Chief Privacy Officer's work.

Key Requirements

• A strong academic background.
• Extensive experience in providing directive and pragmatic advice in a commercial context.
• Strong and demonstrable experience in providing directive and pragmatic advice on data privacy, information security and data handling issues to a wide range of business stakeholders.
• Experience of working in an international corporate or professional services environment.
• The ability to understand, explain and advise on technical processes using business-friendly language.
• Excellent IT skills and a passion for technology and innovation.
• A proven ability to work independently and proactively, managing and prioritizing a busy workload.
• Self-motivation and the ability to tackle new and varied challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work well in a team and with a wide range of business stakeholders.
• Experience managing global business change projects is desirable, but not required.
• A relevant data privacy qualification such as CIPP/A. CIPP/E or CIPM is desirable, but not required.
• Experience of working in a risk function or equivalent is desirable, but not required.

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