Legal Counsel - Data Privacy

About Us

Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other everyday and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com. This role demands a strong understanding of data protection laws and regulations, particularly the GDPR, comparable data protection regulations, and the ability to integrate data protection regulatory requirements into business processes. Key responsibilities include performing privacy impact assessments, providing day-to-day advice to the business about privacy and data protection, as well as producing guidelines, managing employee DSARs (Data Subject Access Requests), conducting legal research, maintaining Sophos Product Privacy datasheets, creating and updating standard operating procedures, policies, notices, and governing regulatory criteria (Universal Platform). Being able to understand the nuances important to privacy, security, and personal data protection is essential. You will be a proactive privacy counsel able to provide timely advice and business solutions in accordance with existing laws and regulations as well as Company policies. You will work closely with the Global Privacy Office and collaborate with the Legal team, global purchasing, HR, marketing and other departments to provide advice and escalate as necessary. You will report directly to the Senior Global Privacy Counsel (located in the UK) and will have the flexibility to be based anywhere in the UK.

What You Will Do

• Responsibility for being the Company’s first point of contact for data protection queries from commercial legal, HR and marketing teams; advise on data protection laws and regulations ensuring organisation's policies align with legal requirements.
• Conducting and managing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and other privacy risk assessments such as Legitimate Interest Assessments.
• Identify and mitigate privacy risks by evaluating data protection laws/regulations; provide guidance based on legal/regulatory requirements.
• Manage fulfillment of employee data subject rights requests including communication with requestors, external counsel/internal stakeholders; review final output/redactions/exceptions.
• Conduct legal research on various topics; produce clear concise updates/guidance.
• Review/understand worldwide data protection laws/regulations; own ongoing maintenance of Privacy Team’s Universal Platform.
• Advise business stakeholders on vendor onboarding where personal data is involved; collaborate with Information Security & Global Purchasing.
• Host sessions with stakeholders to build awareness of data protection requirements/internal processes.
• Review/update/create internal/external privacy policies/notices/standard operating procedures.
• Update/maintain Sophos Product Privacy datasheets.
• Provide legal input (legal basis/data transfer mechanisms/special conditions of processing) into Records of Processing Activities (ROPA), as needed.
• Assist in maintaining/enhancing Global Privacy Program.
• Help foster a culture respecting privacy/building trust internally.
• Work with Senior Global Privacy Counsel/Legal Team/other departments to integrate data protection controls per legal/regulatory requirements.
• Escalate data protection risks/issues to Group Senior Privacy Counsel when necessary.

What You Will Bring

• Experience as a qualified lawyer with expert knowledge of data protection laws/regulations/standards including in-depth understanding of GDPR.
• Demonstrated experience providing pragmatic/timely/actionable advice.
• Hands-on approach; proven ability applying data protection law to business processes.
• Ability to present legal analysis clearly/concise manner.
• Drive/strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize/manage varied workload/tight timelines.
• Experience working in global company across multiple business functions.
• Strong attention to detail/analytical skills.
• Self-awareness/collaborative spirit/positive attitude/high integrity level.
• Excellent oral/written communication/presentation skills.
• Experience working with data management automation tools such as OneTrust is desirable.
• CIPP/E or similar certification considered an asset.
• Fluency in English mandatory; additional European languages helpful.

Additional Information

Ready to Join Us? Sophos encourages applicants even if they do not meet every qualification listed. They value diverse perspectives. What's Great About Sophos?

• Remote-first working model (some roles may require hybrid). Applicants must have legal authorization to work where position is posted without employer sponsorship.
• Innovative people with fun/team spirit
• Employee-led diversity/inclusion networks
• Charity/fundraising initiatives & volunteer days
• Global sustainability initiatives
• Fitness/trivia competitions
• Wellbeing days/webinars/training

Our Commitment To You Sophos promotes diversity/inclusion/equality of opportunity regardless of gender/sex/gender reassignment/marital status/race/religion/color/age/military veteran status/disability/pregnancy/maternity/sexual orientation. Adjustments can be made during recruitment process upon request. Data Protection CVs/personal details shared will be held for 12 months per Sophos Privacy Policy for recruitment purposes. Candidates can request deletion or updates anytime per policy. AI tools may assist hiring process but final decisions are human-made.