Senior Paralegal, 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 every day 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, 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 and advice on data protection laws and regulations, ensuring the organisation's policies and practices align with legal requirements;

Responsible for 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 and regulations and providing guidance to the business based on legal and regulatory requirements;

Manage the fulfillment of employee data subject rights requests, including communication with requestor, external counsel, internal stakeholders and review final output, redactions and exceptions; 

Conduct legal research into a variety of topics and produce clear, concise updates and guidance;

Review, and understand worldwide data protection laws and regulations, and own the ongoing maintenance of the Privacy Team’s Universal Platform;

Advise business stakeholders on vendor onboarding where personal data is in scope, in collaboration with Information Security and Global Purchasing;

Host sessions with stakeholders to build awareness of data protection requirements and internal processes;

Responsible for reviewing, updating, and creating internal and external privacy policies, notices and standard operation procedures

Update and maintain Sophos Product Privacy datasheets;

Provide legal input (such as legal basis, data transfers mechanism and  special conditions of processing) into the ROPA, as needed;

Assist in maintaining and enhancing the Global Privacy Program; 

Help foster a culture that respects privacy and builds trust with internal clients and fellow employees;

Work with the Senior Global Privacy Counsel, Legal Team, and other departments to integrate data protection controls in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements;  

Escalate data protection risks and issues to the Group Senior Privacy Counsel, where necessary. 

What You Will Bring

Proven experience as an experienced paralegal with expert knowledge of data protection laws, regulations, and standards specifically including in-depth understanding of the General Data Protection Regulation;  

Demonstrated experience in providing pragmatic, timely and actionable advice;  

Hands on approach and a proven ability to apply data protection law to business processes;

Ability to present any legal analysis in a clear and concise manner;

Drive and strong organizational skills and ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload and tight timelines;

Experience working in a global company across multiple business functions;

Strong attention to detail and analytical skills;

Self-awareness, collaborative spirit, positive attitude, and high level of integrity;

Excellent oral and written communication and 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 is mandatory, additional European languages helpful.