Senior Associate – Professional Risks (Data / Information Governance)

Manchester | Full-time | Permanent

Make your impact where expertise meets purpose.

At Markel Law, we believe the work we do matters — to our clients, our colleagues, and the wider world. As part of a Fortune 500 group with a human, people-first ethos, we specialise in delivering smart solutions to complex problems, helping businesses protect what matters most.

Our Professional Risks team is growing, and we’re now looking for a highly skilled Senior Associate specialising in Data Protection & Information Governance to join us in Manchester.

If you’re motivated by high-quality work, autonomy, and the opportunity to help shape a thriving practice, this is a role where you can truly make an impact.

Why this role matters:

Our Professional Risks team advises a wide range of businesses, professionals, and partners across multiple industries. You’ll take the lead on complex data protection, information governance, and regulatory matters — supporting clients navigating an increasingly challenging and high‑profile risk landscape.

This is a senior appointment, working closely with our Partner & Head of Professional Risk, and offers the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the practice.

What you’ll be doing:

In this senior, client‑facing role, you will:

Provide expert advice on data protection, privacy, information governance, and compliance requirements
Manage complex and high‑value cases, offering strategic guidance to clients in regulated and high‑risk environments
Act as a trusted adviser on matters involving risk mitigation, regulatory frameworks, and compliance programmes
Develop and strengthen internal referrer networks, business partner relationships and corporate client engagement
Contribute to new business initiatives and identify growth opportunities within the data/information governance practice
Mentor and support junior lawyers within the team
Support wider Markel Law services, including advice line and online hub content relating to information governance
Play an active role in thought leadership, client training, and contributing to the team’s commercial strategy

What you’ll bring:

You will succeed in this role if you are:

A qualified solicitor with strong PQE in data protection, information governance, regulatory compliance, or professional risks
Highly knowledgeable in UK GDPR, PECR, data management frameworks and evolving privacy regulations
Experienced in managing complex, sensitive and high‑risk matters with confidence
A strong communicator with exceptional drafting, research and negotiation skills
Commercially astute, with an ability to spot opportunities and build lasting client relationships
Proactive, collaborative, and keen to support the development of colleagues and the broader practice
Passionate about delivering high‑quality, pragmatic and commercially focused advice

What you’ll enjoy at Markel:

At Markel, we put people first — it’s the core of who we are.

You’ll benefit from:

A competitive salary, annual bonus and comprehensive benefits package
25 days holiday + bank holidays (with options to buy/sell)
Private medical, dental, life assurance, income protection & travel insurance
Excellent pension scheme
Genuine work–life balance
A supportive, collaborative culture rooted in values, not hierarchy
Access to high-quality learning, development and leadership programmes
The opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognised legal practice in a role where your expertise shapes the future

We’re proud to be Disability Confident Committed, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know at talentacquisitionteam@markel.com.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re an experienced data protection or information governance lawyer looking for a role where your expertise will be valued and your ideas will shape the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us protect what matters most.

At Markel, we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.

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Senior Associate - Professional Risks (Data / Information Governance)