Counsel - Privacy, EMEA

Counsel, Privacy EMEA – 12 months FTC. Start date: August 2026

TWDC faces a privacy environment that continues to evolve, with very strict and technical privacy requirements in place in the EU, UK and across the Middle East and Africa.  This environment requires a unified approach to compliance issues in order to ensure that the company remains compliant with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.  The expanding scope and impact of these laws, coupled with TWDC's continued expansion into international markets, requires considerable knowledge and unique privacy expertise, which combines UK and EU knowledge, as well as deep understanding of the business across different business lines and corporate functions. 

The EMEA Privacy team responsibilities have increased over the last year with the rolling out and monitoring of compliance with Data Protection Laws in EMEA (which includes the UK, 27 EU Member States, Middle East and Africa – a total of approx. 60 Countries) across all Disney lines of business and corporate functions.   

This individual will need to have a strong working knowledge of relevant privacy and data security laws and regulations across EMEA and should possess the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of the overall Privacy Team in EMEA and in coordination with the Global Privacy Team.  

This role will be based in our London Hammersmith office, 4 days a week, with either a Monday or Friday working from home.

Areas of Responsibility: 

• Oversee compliance with legal requirements and corporate policy related to the collection and governance of personal information from customers and employees across EMEA and the UK. 

• Be accountable for data protection requirements, such as creating templates, advising on data subject access requests, data breaches and complaints, handling requests from Data Protection Supervisory Authorities across EMEA and the UK, and supervising data protection programs. 

• Develop privacy policies and deploy processes to establish, communicate, document and enforce those policies. 

• Provide strategic privacy advice and ongoing support across Disney LOBs and corporate functions.

• Strong working knowledge of relevant privacy and data security laws and regulations across EMEA and the UK. 

• Work closely, collaborate, and coordinate with the EMEA and Global Privacy teams.  

Ideal experience and skills: 

• Experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department, preferably advising on privacy and data security issues, including negotiating and drafting agreements and providing compliance-related guidance. 
• Experience with data protection and privacy laws in the EMEA region.  
• Familiarity with emerging privacy legal issues, such as those involving biometrics, artificial intelligence, and related issues
• Exceptional drafting, negotiating and writing skills, including attention to detail, as well as the ability to solve problems in an efficient, business-friendly manner in time-pressured situations.  
• Exceptional ability to spot issues, assess and communicate risks, make common-sense decisions, and find flexible/creative solutions to achieve business goals. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Exceptional work ethic and commitment to professionalism.  
• Strong ability to work independently and to contribute positively as a collaborative member of a team, with a strong commitment to curiosity, learning and excellence. 

Qualifications:

• UK Qualified Lawyer