Harper James is a growing, ambitious commercial law firm like no other. We are growing our commercial team and have an 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 law firm built to support entrepreneurial businesses with accessible, high-quality legal services. We combine legal expertise with a commercial mindset and a scalable 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.
Remote working
We offer truly 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.
The opportunity
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 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.
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.
The Harper James difference
We are a tech-driven, agile law firm. Our lawyers have access to legal technology that helps maximise efficiency, productivity and work-life balance.
We welcome proactive, self-motivated solicitors who thrive in a modern workplace and care about delivering an excellent client experience. We are relaxed and informal, but super organised. We trust you to manage your work responsibly and support you to succeed.
The bottom line
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
Ready to apply?
If you are ready to apply this role, please complete the application form using the link below.
Alternatively, if you would like to have an initial informal chat with our Senior Talent Acquisition Assistant, Layla Atkinson, to find out more about the role, you can email her directly via layla.atkinson@harperjames.co.uk.
Please be assured that all conversations are confidential and we will act discreetly throughout the process.
No agencies, please
