Director of Legal

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is Ireland’s national independent supervisory authority, responsible for monitoring the application of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and upholding the EU fundamental right of the individual to have their personal data protected.  As one of the EU’s largest and most prominent data protection authorities, the DPC is responsible for upholding the data protection rights of all EU citizens in respect of companies with European headquarters in Ireland.

The DPC is now seeking to appoint a Director of Legal. The successful candidate will have an advisory and/or litigation background, with a strong focus on specialist knowledge and expertise. They will also be committed to the delivery of an optimum legal service to support the DPC’s core regulatory functions. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, motivated and capable person with substantial relevant experience to fulfil a key senior leadership role in the DPC.

Key responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Acting as a Legal advisor to the Data Protection Commission, providing expert-level risk assessment and advice of the highest quality in relation to the discharge by the DPC of its statutory functions, and the exercise by its statutory powers in accordance with applicable principles and requirements of public law. These statutory functions include complex decisionmaking in EU cross-border cases that require the highest levels of legal expertise, legal skill and negotiation ability.
• A Senior leader, providing counsel, advice and expert legal analysis to the DPC in relation to the application of data protection principles in particular contexts and in relation to the conduct of legal actions initiated by (or against) the DPC, to include enforcement actions, judicial reviews, statutory appeals and prosecutions, overseeing the work of a high performing legal team.
• Providing thought leadership in the provision of legal services to the DPC and ensuring that quality control and risk identification, measurement, toleration and mitigation strategies are applied in line with their overall strategy.
• Coordinating and overseeing the DPC’s participation in litigation proceedings, advising and directing on litigation strategy and choice of counsel.
• Managing the relationship with external solicitors and counsel.
• Delivering an optimum legal service at all times.
• Identifying changes and legal trends that may impact on the DPC’s role or that may require adjustments to their operations and strategies and developing pathways to respond. • Providing advice and expert legal analysis to the DPC on proposed new legislation impacting on their regulatory mandate.
• Engaging with and where required, negotiating on behalf of the DPC with other regulators, EU institutions and Government in relation to the operational impact of existing or proposed law or practice.
• Contributing and bringing leadership to the further development and updating of existing legal and operational strategies within the DPC.

Full details of the role, including specific eligibility requirements, are available on this booklet.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 9th January 2025. To apply, please click here.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.

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