VB Lead Counsel & Privacy Officer

Join Us

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

What you’ll do

The Privacy officer of Vodafone Business is responsible for providing world-class guidance and advice to all Vodafone Business entities and operations around the world, on all matters related to Privacy, Responsible AI, and Data regulations. This includes ensuring compliance with legal and policy requirements and representing company’s position in industry forums, advising on and managing compliance risks related with Privacy, Responsible AI and Data Regulations across the business, and identifying privacy and data related strategic opportunities, supporting Vodafone Business growth strategy. The VB Privacy Officer leads a multinational team of privacy professionals, ensuring that the Vodafone Business’ operations across the off-footprint countries adhere to the highest standards of data protection and privacy.
The VB Privacy Officer is the formal appointed GDPR Data Protection Officer, and as such the role requires sufficient level of independence from the business it oversees, and a reporting responsibility directly to the highest level of management for the in-scope companies.

• Appointed Data Protection Officer for all Vodafone Business International entities.
• Building privacy, responsible AI and other data regulatory requirements into the design of Vodafone business products and services, and Vodafone Business partnerships, through proactive reviews of products, services, processes, supplier and partners, supporting Vodafone Business growth strategy. Engage with local markets privacy to embed local requirements and ensure seamless launch of global VB products in the local markets. 
• Defining and implementing the Privacy, Responsible AI and Data Regulations Program, including related policies, requirements, and processes across Vodafone business – and monitor, communicate, and adjust to developments in applicable Privacy, Responsible AI and Data Regulations legal frameworks as well as in relevant industry best practices and standards.
• Ongoing monitoring and reporting of the effectiveness of the Program to the Privacy Board Sponsor (an ExCo member), the Risk and Compliance Committee, the ARC, the CEO (CEO Certification), other senior management engagements.
• Advise business on and Manage Privacy, Responsible AI and Data regulation risks identified.
• Advise and support sales, legal contracting and procurement teams with customer & supplier negotiations and RFX process.
• Identify privacy and data related strategic opportunities and communicate them to relevant business teams.
• Build and maintain a network of privacy, responsible AI and data regulation champions across business products and services to support compliance across VB markets, alongside excellent collaboration with Cyber and Corporate Security, Regulatory and Risk, as well as with other compliance functions.
• Promote, maintain, and improve privacy awareness across the business and deliver effective, role-based privacy training programs across VB.
• Manage privacy incidents/data breaches and communications with regulators and customers across all VB entities and markets.
• Support the implementation and operations of Individual Rights, Transparency and Permissions management requirements across VB markets.
• Lead the privacy team into becoming a team of agile, engaging, supporting, world-class professionals, through training, feedback, opportunities, and managing resources and budget to implement privacy, responsible AI, data regulation and business strategy, plans, and projects.
• Influence internal and external stakeholders, including in industry and regulatory engagements, through formulation and effective communication of relevant policy positions, to promote VB and Vodafone’s Group Privacy and Public Policy position.
• Collaborate with colleagues across VB, Group, and local markets to improve ways of working.

Who you are

• Legal or regulatory background with significant compliance experience (10+ years) 
• Excellent knowledge of Telecommunications technologies, roaming and related regulations and previous experience within a multinational matrix organisation.
• Senior level experience in a multinational corporate environment, including:
  Influencing executive management
  Managing public policy and /or legal compliance and risks
  Exposure representing the organisation in public fora.
• CIPP/E/M/T or similar certification with relevant university degree or Legal qualification. 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and management.
• Strong people management skills.
• Ability to manage compliance risks across a multinational organization.
• Driven by Results: A proactive, self-guiding individual with a deep-rooted ethical compass and a fervent interest in the intersection of privacy, Responsible AI, Data Regulations, technology, and societal impact.
• Strategic and business Acumen: An analytical mind adept at unravelling complex challenges within intricate technology and business landscapes, formulating simple yet potent solutions and policy stances.
• Legal and Regulatory Expertise: A legal or regulatory savant in privacy and data protection, capable of steering senior leadership and shaping strategic pathways, often leveraging soft power.
• Influential Networker: Adept at forging pivotal external connections with authorities and bodies, adeptly positioning Vodafone at the forefront of industry achievements.
• Innovation & Change Catalyst: Creativity in finding solutions and persistent in championing and defending critical perspectives essential to the role.
• Conscientious:  A meticulous individual who takes full ownership of areas of responsibility.
• Collaborative Spirit: Team player and exceptional communicator and negotiator, seeking synergistic outcomes and thriving in in a matrix organisation with tolerance for ambiguity, having strong interpersonal skills.

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.

What's in it for you

Yearly bonus: 20%
Company car: company funded car of £580 per month + private fuel or cash alternative of £630
per month.
Annual leave: 28 days + bank holidays + the opportunity to buy/sell/carry over 5 days/year
Charity days: 5 days/year
Maternity leave: 52 weeks: the first 13 weeks are fully paid, followed by 26 weeks of half pay
Private pension: You can contribute up to 5% of your basic pay with 2:1 matching from Vodafone up to 10%.
Access to: private medical, private dental, free health assessments, share save scheme
Additional discounts: Vodafone retail, gym, cinema, cycle to work, season ticket loan

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.