Partner – Head of Data Protection team – Senior Data Protection Solicitor

Harper James is a growing, ambitious commercial law firm like no other. We are growing our commercial team and have exciting opportunity for an experienced data protection solicitor to lead and grow our data protection team.

This is an opportunity to combine specialist legal advice with people leadership and service development. You’ll help shape how we support clients, develop our team and build practical, scalable services for growing businesses.

About Harper James

Harper James is a modern, ambitious commercial law firm built to support entrepreneurial businesses with accessible, high-quality legal services. We combine legal expertise with a commercial mindset and an operating model designed for growth.

You’ll work with businesses of different sizes across a range of sectors, alongside colleagues in our commercial, technology, corporate and employment teams.

The opportunity

You’ll lead the development of our data protection practice, combining hands-on client work with responsibility for the team and its services.

Key responsibilities

• Leading, supporting and developing colleagues, with clear expectations and constructive feedback

• Helping grow the team as client demand and the service develop

• Managing workloads and maintaining consistent, high-quality advice

• Building client relationships and identifying opportunities to grow the practice

• Leading on the development of DPO as a service, data protection health checks, shaping clear service scopes, pricing and delivery approaches

• Standardising suitable processes, templates and guidance to improve consistency and efficiency

• Using legal technology and automation responsibly, while maintaining appropriate oversight

• Sharing knowledge and working across teams to give clients joined-up advice

You’ll have the opportunity to influence both what we offer and how we deliver it, making data protection support easier for clients to access and helping colleagues work effectively.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for an experienced senior data protection solicitor with 10+ years’ PQE and substantial experience advising businesses on UK and European data protection law.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience managing and developing people, including supporting performance and having constructive conversations

• A track record of leading matters and managing client relationships

• A commercial approach to developing services and recognising client needs

• Experience improving delivery through consistent processes, knowledge sharing or technology

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills

• The ability to turn complex legal and technical issues into clear, practical guidance

Your technical experience will include:

• UK data protection compliance, governance and risk

• Data subject rights requests and data protection impact assessments (DPIAs)

• International data transfers, ePrivacy, cookies and direct marketing

• Data processing and data-sharing agreements

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technology issues

• Data breach response, incident management and engagement with regulators

• The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and wider international privacy developments

• Special category and other sensitive data across different sectors

• Data protection advice on technology, commercial, corporate and employment matters

You’ll be comfortable working with growing and innovative businesses. You’ll understand when clients need specialist advice and when a proportionate, repeatable service can meet their needs.

You’ll be confident using Microsoft 365 and SharePoint to organise work and collaborate. You’ll also be open to using AI tools and automation where they genuinely improve delivery.

Remote working

We offer fully remote working, with access to meeting space in Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Oxford, Southampton, Cardiff and Sheffield.

Our remote set-up gives you flexibility over where you work, while keeping you connected to colleagues. We collaborate on client matters and internal projects, share ideas and make time to get to know each other.

You’ll help create that sense of connection within the data protection team, so colleagues feel trusted, supported and clear about their responsibilities.

What we offer

This is an opportunity to lead a specialist team and shape a growing service, while continuing to do varied, commercially focused legal work.

We offer:

• A collaborative working environment where there’s no room for office politics

• Competitive salary

• 33 days’ holiday, including public holidays, with the option to buy up to five additional days each year

• Private healthcare

• Death in service benefit

• Access to our electric car scheme

• Flexible working as part of a fully remote but connected team

No agencies, please