HEAD COUNSEL – DATA PROTECTION & PRIVACY

Want to do the best work of your life? With 24 million customers in 6 countries, make your mark at Europe’s leading media and entertainment brand. A workplace where you can proudly be yourself; our people make Sky a truly exciting and inclusive place to work. 

This is a legal leadership role within Sky’s Group Data Privacy function.  As one of two Head Counsels in the team, you will act as a principal legal authority on complex UK and EU data protection matters, ensuring Sky’s data strategy, commercial innovation and operational practices are underpinned by clear, defensible and strategically aligned legal frameworks.

Reporting to the Group Director – Data Protection & Privacy, you will lead the identification of applicable regulatory requirements alongside interpretation underpinning the Group’s privacy governance framework, supporting delivery of the enterprise strategy set by the Director.

 You will combine deep technical expertise with sound judgment and commercial insight to lead on high-impact and emerging issues across data, AI and digital regulation, influencing strategy across Sky’s diverse products and services. You will also provide strategic counsel on data privacy matters impacting our internal operations, including the deployment of AI in the workplace.

What you’ll do:

Full JD available upon request but below are some of the key responsibilities across these areas.

Senior Legal Authority

• Provide authoritative interpretation of UK GDPR, EU GDPR, ePrivacy and emerging digital regulation in the context of data privacy rights, such as the EU AI Act and EU Omnibus Directive.
• Provide pragmatic, risk-based legal advice on BAU matters and strategic commercial initiatives, including high-value transactions, partnerships and product development/launches, enabling the business to deliver growth in a compliant and commercially sound manner.
• Take ownership of complex, high-risk and precedent-setting data protection issues. Deliver clear, defensible legal advice to senior stakeholders and governance forums. And deputise for the Group Director on strategic matters as required.

Legal Governance & Framework Design

• Support the Group Director with defining and maintaining the legal architecture underpinning Sky’s data governance operating model, ensuring that legal standards are clear, consistent and defensible across markets.
• Oversee legal standards for DPIAs, LIAs, international transfers, retention, data sharing and high-risk processing.

Partnership with Data Protection Operations

• Work collaboratively with the DPO & Group DP Operations lead to align legal risk frameworks with operational delivery.
• Alongside the Data Privacy leadership team, define legal guardrails, escalation thresholds and risk tolerances.

Cross-Market Legal Alignment (UK, Ireland & Italy)

• Act as a senior legal partner to local market teams in Ireland and Italy.
• Support an aligned and consistent application of the data protection framework across jurisdictions.
• Provide balanced legal guidance that recognises both Group standards and local regulatory expectations.
• Support EU-facing regulatory developments and cross-border consistency where required.

AI & Emerging Digital Regulation

• Lead legal readiness for the EU AI Act and other emerging digital regulation, operating within and supporting the Group’s AI governance framework.
• Provide structured legal analysis of AI-enabled products, automated decision-making and data-driven innovation, working collaboratively with other members of the Legal team.

Consent, Marketing & AdTech Oversight

• Provide senior legal oversight of consent frameworks and customer preference management.
• Advise on digital advertising, adtech and data monetisation initiatives.

Regulatory Engagement & Risk Management

• Support engagement with supervisory authorities including the ICO and DPC.
• Oversee legal responses to investigations, regulatory queries and consultations.

Leadership & Team Contribution

• As a member of the Group Data Privacy Leadership Team and the wider Legal Leadership Team, you will role model enterprise leadership and visibly champion Sky’s Values: being Welcoming, Creative, Simplifying and Doing the Right Thing. You will set the tone for an inclusive, high-performing culture across Data Privacy and Legal, where diverse perspectives are actively sought, innovation is encouraged, complexity is reduced and decisions are grounded in integrity. You will hold yourself and others accountable for creating an environment where our people feel empowered, supported and able to thrive.
• Provide senior technical mentorship and coaching within the Data Privacy team
• Support the Group Director of Data Privacy, the Assistant General Counsel (Product, Technology, Data, Contentious and News), and the Group General Counsel in delivering the Legal department’s and the Data Privacy team’s objectives.

What you’ll bring:

• UK or equivalent qualified lawyer with minimum 10 years’ experience advising on complex UK and EU data protection matters.
• Deep expertise in GDPR, ePrivacy and strong familiarity with AI and wider digital regulatory frameworks.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders on high-risk or strategically sensitive issues.
• Strong regulatory judgment and the ability to articulate clear, defensible positions.
• Experience designing or strengthening governance frameworks.
• Commercial awareness and confidence operating in innovation-led environments.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to operational partnership.
• Have a positive, collaborative approach and enjoy working closely with team members, stakeholders and the wider Sky Legal community. 

Desirable

• Experience leading or managing others would be an advantage.   A willingness to learn and develop yourself and others is essential.
• Experience operating within the media, telecommunications, technology or digital sectors, with an understanding of data-driven business models, advertising technology, content distribution and platform ecosystems.
• Experience within a large, complex, matrixed international organisation, with the ability to navigate cross-border regulatory environments and align regional requirements with global standards.
• Experience partnering with US-based parent organisations or multinational leadership teams, with an appreciation of transatlantic regulatory differences (e.g. UK/EU GDPR and US privacy frameworks).
• Demonstrated experience advising on AI governance, emerging digital regulation and innovative data use cases in a consumer-facing environment.
• Experience building or enhancing privacy governance frameworks and driving measurable maturity improvements across multiple markets.

Team overview:

As a team, we pursue the highest standards and demonstrate commitment, integrity and judgement. We exist to add real value by sustainably providing the highest quality business-focussed legal expertise that keeps Sky competitive. Through our work we help to bring better content and innovation to all of our customers, better connecting them to more of what they love. Our vision is to create the Legal team of the future, together – operating at the heart of Sky, famous for adding value. 

The Rewards:

There's one thing people can't stop talking about when it comes to #LifeAtSky: the perks. Here’s a taster: 

• Sky Q, for the TV you love all in one place 

• The magic of Sky Glass at an exclusive rate 

• A generous pension package 

• Private healthcare 

• Discounted mobile and broadband 

• A wide range of Sky VIP rewards and experiences 

How you'll work:

We know the world has changed, and we want to offer our employees the chance to collaborate at our unique office spaces, whilst enjoying the convenience of working from home.

We've adopted a hybrid working approach to give more flexibility on where and how we work. You'll find out more about what this means for this role during the recruitment process.

Your office base:

Osterley: 

Our Osterley Campus is a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station. Or you can hop on one of our free shuttle buses that run to and from Osterley, Gunnersbury, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations. There’s also plenty of bike shelters and showers. 

On campus, you’ll find 13 subsidised restaurants, cafes, and a Waitrose. You can keep in shape at our subsidised gym, catch the latest shows and movies at our cinema, get your car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon. 

Inclusion:

At Sky we don’t just look at your CV. We’re more focused on who you are and your potential. We also know that everyone has a life outside work, so we’re happy to discuss flexible working.

We are a Disability Confident Accredited Employer, and welcome and encourage applications from all candidates. We will look to ensure a fair and consistent experience for all and will make reasonable adjustments to support you where appropriate. Please flag any adjustments you need to your recruiter as early as you can.

Why wait?

Apply now to build an amazing career and be part of a brilliant team. We can’t wait to hear from you.

To find out more about working with us, search #LifeAtSky on social media. A job you love to talk about.

Just so you know: if your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a criminal record check. And depending on the role you have applied for and the nature of any convictions you may have, we might have to withdraw the offer.