Overview

Senior Legal Counsel, Data and Cyber – Monzo Bank

We are hiring a Senior Legal Counsel, Data & Cyber to join Monzo’s Legal team. You will help us build one of the world’s most innovative banks by advising on data protection and cyber security related compliance issues and partnering with teams across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with first line and second line data protection teams on a range of initiatives and data protection related issues.
• Act as a trusted legal advisor to colleagues across the business, providing pragmatic and scalable legal advice and solutions to complex data related challenges, with a focus on marketing, advertising and tracking technologies, and the interplay of data protection with regulatory obligations as a fully regulated bank.
• Provide advice on completing data protection assessments by first and second line teams in specialised areas (e.g., special category data, or use of new AI forms).
• Deliver training, share insights, and educate others on key data protection risks for Monzo.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and optimise our legal spend.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in all aspects of data protection, ideally with time in private practice and/or in-house at a bank, financial institution, regulator, or leading tech company. Minimum 5 years of relevant post-qualification experience (or equivalent).
• Genuine interest in data and cyber developments and pride in being a data/tech “geek”.
• Experience with data usage for advertising and marketing, including latest tracking technologies.
• Experience of financial regulation as it intersects with data protection laws; comfortable advising on the interplay between these regimes.
• Experience in AI: key legal issues related to generative AI and an appetite to develop further.
• Experience in transactional elements of data protection: negotiating data sharing agreements, data processing agreements, and standard contractual clauses.
• Strategic thinker with strong communication and problem-solving skills; able to balance business needs with risk.
• Willingness to handle a wide range of legal issues beyond core areas, with sensible use of external counsel when cost-effective.
• Comfort operating at all levels of the organisation and liaising with diverse stakeholders.
• Proactive horizon-scanning, risk assessment, and independent mitigation actions.
• Dynamic and entrepreneurial approach; comfortable with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Open and curious mind; passionate about the intersection of banking and technology; eager to join Monzo’s journey.

Notes

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and values alignment with Monzo’s mission. PQE is a guide only.

Application Journey

The application journey has 3 key steps: Recruiter call, an initial role-specific interview, and a second stage behavioural interview. Our average process takes around 3–4 weeks. If you have questions, contact business-hiring@monzo.com.

Compensation and Benefits

c. £100,000 base salary (dependent on experience) plus stock options. Visa sponsorship available. This role can be based in London or work with distributed UK arrangements (occasional London visits). Flexible working hours and a learning budget of £1,000 per year for books, training, and conferences.

Equal Opportunity

Monzo is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all employees. You can read more in our Diversity & Inclusion reports.