We are looking for an experienced Data Protection Officer to join our team based in Manchester (M41 7HA).
This is a new and critical role for Travel Counsellors. We operate internationally in the following territories: United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, UAE, and South Africa.
As the Data Protection Officer for Travel Counsellors, you will be responsible for monitoring compliance and maintaining effective systems and controls to enable the company to comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, the UK and EU General Data Protection Regulations, and other applicable data protection legislation.
This role reports into the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary. The Data Protection Officer will also work closely with the Legal and Information Security teams.
Main Responsibilities of the Data Protection Officer
- Serve as the focal point for all activities within Travel Counsellors relating to data protection. Support business activities with risk-based advice.
- Set standards and create policies and procedures globally that meet requirements under Data Protection Legislation.
- Implement and maintain effective systems and controls to manage compliance with Data Protection Legislation.
- Monitor compliance with Data Protection Legislation and the company’s data protection policies and procedures.
- Maintain an accountability framework in line with ICO guidance.
- Regularly update and interface with the executive board.
- Conduct colleague and Travel Counsellor training.
- Advance a culture of data protection awareness at all levels within the organisation and the Travel Counsellor community.
- Conduct internal audits.
- Advise on new business projects involving personal data and support with data protection impact assessments.
- Respond to and advise on data subject rights requests, including implementing processes for appropriate logging and tracking.
- Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for the ICO and other relevant data protection authorities.
- Identify best practice in order to mitigate risk and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Working with the Information Security team, devise and implement appropriate processes for detecting, managing, recording, and reporting on actual or suspected data security breaches.
- Work with external legal advisors to advise on data privacy law outside of the EU.
If you have experience as a Data Protection Officer, Data Protection Advisor, Data Protection Manager, Data Protection Analyst, or similar role, apply today!
- A competitive basic salary + annual company bonus
- Flexible hybrid working model (2 days home, 3 days office)
- Career development and promotional opportunities
- 25 days holidays (increasing to 28 after 5 years of service)
- A Moments That Matter day (annually)
- Enhanced Maternity / Paternity pay
- Holiday buy and sell (up to 5 days per year)
- 3 paid days charity leave
- Company events, socials, and incentives
- 3x annual salary death in service benefit
- Company pension scheme
- Costco membership
- Salary sacrifice, company car scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free breakfast, fruit, and hot/cold beverages
- Referral scheme
- Employee discount
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University degree 2.1 or above; CIPP/E Certification.
- Significant experience of the practical application of Data Protection Legislation from the ground up, gained in previous Data Protection Officer roles in other large data-driven organisations (preferably international in scope).
- Sound knowledge of information technology to enable effective communication and partnership with the IT team. Experience of working within a Legal function is preferable.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Experience in managing and influencing multiple stakeholders, globally, and comfortable working with C-level executives and private equity representatives.
- Able to work in an agile, high-pressured environment and can respond quickly to stakeholder needs.
- Ability to exercise professional leadership and influence change.
- Strong project management skills.
Here at Travel Counsellors, our customers, communities and colleagues lie at the heart of everything that we do - and that’s what makes us special. For us, relationships come before transactions, and we are there for our customers, connecting with them on a deeply human level through the moments that matter.
We’ve been changing lives for over 28 years as the leading travel marketplace for self-employed travel entrepreneurs, empowering over 1,900 global independent travel agents to run successful leisure and corporate travel businesses. We pride ourselves in remaining a company that truly cares and one that has never wavered from its purpose; to redefine what personal means for a travel business.
Our Travel Counsellors are supported by a team of over 250 super talented people in our support offices to help them create unique, inspiring, and exciting experiences for their customers, building lasting personal relationships that brings them back to us, time and time again.
Our unique approach within the workplace – as well as towards customers – has seen us receive numerous awards and accolades, including being named as The Best Place to Work in Travel at the 2022 TTG Travel Industry Awards, as well as being the first travel company to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category!
We are currently expanding at a phenomenal rate – on the back of what is our record year in terms of revenue (over £800m) and so are looking for like-minded individuals to join our dedicated Head Office team, to help the company continue to flourish.