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Whitbread Inns Logo Whitbread Inns · Legal

Senior Legal Counsel

United Kingdom, Dunstable 100000.00 - 120000.00 GBP / Year · Job Posted April 11, 2026
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Job Description

This role combines data privacy leadership with a broader compliance and AI governance remit, offering real variety and the opportunity to build sustainable, practical frameworks that enable the business to move forward with confidence. Roughly 60% of the role focuses on data protection, with the remaining 40% covering wider legal compliance, governance, and AI related matters. The role could suit a data protection specialist, or a general commercial or regulatory lawyer with demonstrable experience in data protection. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Legal, Technology, Digital, HR and the wider business, acting as a trusted adviser and practical problem solver.

Job Responsibility

  • Lead UK data protection compliance across the full consumer and employee data lifecycle
  • Develop, maintain, and embed clear, workable data protection policies and governance frameworks
  • Manage Whitbread’s relationship with its outsourced UK DPO
  • Provide guidance and support to our teams in Ireland and Germany
  • Oversee DPIAs, ROPAs, DSARs and data related disputes
  • Advise on CRM, digital marketing, cookies and consent
  • Draft and negotiate data processing and data sharing agreements
  • Work closely with IT and digital teams to ensure privacy by design is built into new initiatives from the outset
  • Acting as the legal subject matter expert on AI regulation and emerging legal developments
  • Playing an active role on Whitbread’s AI Governance Forum, supporting responsible and effective decision making
  • Advising on AI governance frameworks, including oversight of AI use by third party suppliers
  • Supporting the business to enable the safe, compliant, and ethical use of AI, balancing innovation with appropriate safeguards
  • Code of Conduct governance and communications
  • Competition law risk management and training
  • Anti bribery and corruption frameworks
  • Supporting compliance reporting to the Audit Committee

Requirements

  • Qualification as a lawyer with around 5+ years’ PQE
  • Experience in UK data protection law (EU exposure helpful but not essential)
  • Experience working with significant volumes of consumer and/or employee data (B2C experience important)
  • An interest in, or exposure to, AI regulation and governance, and a willingness to stay close to emerging developments
  • The ability to write clear, practical policies and guidance
  • Confidence working with senior stakeholders in a complex organisation
  • A pragmatic, solutions focused approach
  • Private practice or in house backgrounds are welcome

Nice to have

  • EU exposure helpful but not essential
  • Approachable, positive, and collaborative
  • Comfortable taking ownership, while working closely with others
  • Commercially minded and practical
  • Curious about emerging technologies and how the law can enable responsible innovation
  • Motivated by building things that last and make a real difference

What we offer

  • bonus up to 30%
  • £5,650 car allowance
  • pension matched to 10%
  • family health cover
  • sharesave scheme
  • Flexible Working - possibility of a four-day working week
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