Manager / Head of International Compliance & Data Privacy
Our client, a leading international service organisation operating across multiple European markets, is seeking a Head of International Compliance & Data Privacy to join its Group Legal function.
Reporting directly to the Group Legal & Compliance Director , you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing and continuously enhancing the organisation's compliance and data privacy framework across several jurisdictions. Working closely with senior executives, country leadership teams and local legal representatives, you will ensure the consistent application of compliance, ethics and data protection standards throughout the business.
This is a high-impact individual contributor role with broad international exposure. It requires a strong combination of technical expertise, business acumen and the ability to influence senior stakeholders within a complex, multicultural environment.
Key responsibilities
Compliance & Ethics
- Develop and maintain the Group's compliance framework, policies and governance standards.
- Assess regulatory and compliance risks across multiple jurisdictions and recommend appropriate mitigation plans.
- Support the implementation of compliance programmes while ensuring consistency across countries.
- Provide practical guidance to senior stakeholders on compliance-related matters.
- Coordinate internal investigations and support whistleblowing processes where required.
Data Privacy
- Lead the organisation's data protection programme and privacy governance framework.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and other applicable privacy regulations across Europe.
- Oversee privacy impact assessments, data processing records and compliance monitoring activities.Li>
- Support business transformation projects by providing pragmatic privacy advice from the design stage.
- Manage relationships with external advisers and regulatory authorities when necessary.
Governance & Risk Management
- Design compliance monitoring plans and oversee periodic control activities.
- Develop KPIs and reporting for executive management and governance committees.
- Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the business.
- Drive continuous improvement of compliance processes, controls and documentation.
Awareness & Business Partnership
- Develop and deliver compliance and privacy awareness programmes.
- Foster a culture of ethics, integrity and accountability across the organisation.
- Act as a trusted advisor to legal, HR, IT, finance and operational teams on compliance and privacy matters.
Candidate profile
- Master's degree in Law, Compliance, Data Privacy, Risk Management or a related discipline.
- Approximately 8–12 years of relevant experience in Compliance, Ethics, Data Privacy or Regulatory Affairs.
- Proven experience in an international or multinational organisation.
- Strong knowledge of GDPR and broader compliance governance frameworks.
- Ability to balance legal expertise with pragmatic, business-oriented advice.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders across different countries and cultures.
- Comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Languages
- Native or bilingual English and French is essential.
What we offer
- A strategic role with significant international exposure.
- Close collaboration with executive leadership and country management teams.
- A broad and evolving scope covering compliance, ethics and data privacy.
- The opportunity to shape and strengthen compliance practices across a complex international organisation.
- A collaborative, multicultural and high-performing legal environment.