Senior Legal Counsel - Data Privacy - Internal Firm Services

PwC; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing allowance

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

PwC New Zealand is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel – Data Privacy to act as Privacy Officer and advise on privacy, data protection, AI governance and information security across the firm. You will partner with senior leaders to negotiate complex contracts, respond to incidents and strengthen privacy governance, training and playbooks.

The role requires 5–10+ years of in-house or private practice data privacy expertise, NZ practising certificate, and a pragmatic approach balancing risk and

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years’ legal counsel experience, with data privacy expertise.
• A current New Zealand practising certificate.
• Commercially pragmatic approach balancing legal risk, business outcomes and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating complex technology, data, client or supplier agreements.
• Strong communication, drafting and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• In-house experience and AI clause negotiation experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Act as PwC New Zealand’s Privacy Officer.
• Lead and support complex data privacy negotiations in client and supplier contracts.
• Advise on data incidents involving personal information, AI governance, technology risk assessments.
• Review and negotiate client master service agreements, supplier contracts and other commercial arrangements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments across privacy, AI, and data protection.
• Identify and escape legal and regulatory risks where appropriate.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to legal templates, playbooks, and training.

Skills

Data privacy expertise

NZ practising certificate

Commercial pragmatism

Contract negotiation

Communication and drafting

AI clauses negotiation

Job description

Management Level

Manager

Job Description & Summary

Kia ora,

At PwC, our purpose is clear: to build trust in society and solve important problems.

This is a place to keep growing. You’ll learn from the best, take on meaningful challenges, and make a lasting impact for our clients, our communities, and Aotearoa.

Ngā kōrero mo tēnei tūranga / About the role

Join PwC’s Office of General Counsel as Senior Legal Counsel – Data Privacy. This is an opportunity to bring your professional services or private practice experience into an in-house environment at the centre of a leading professional services firm. As a trusted legal adviser and PwC New Zealand’s Privacy Officer, you will provide commercially focused advice across privacy, data protection, AI, technology and information security matters.

You will work closely with senior leaders and teams across the firm, leading complex negotiations, supporting data incident and regulatory responses, and helping strengthen privacy governance, policies, playbooks and training.

Key responsibilities include:

• Act as PwC New Zealand’s Privacy Officer
• Lead and support complex data privacy negotiations in client and supplier contracts
• Advise on data incidents involving personal information, AI governance, technology risk assessments, and contractual risks relating to new technologies
• Review and negotiate client master service agreements, supplier contracts and other commercial arrangements
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments across privacy, AI, and data protection
• Identify and escape legal and regulatory risks where appropriate
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to legal templates, playbooks, and training

Ngā pūkenga ka kawea mai e koe, ka whakawhanakehia rānei i tēnei tūranga / Skills you will bring or develop in this role

• 5–10+ years’ legal counsel experience, with demonstrated expertise in data privacy
• A current New Zealand practising certificate
• A commercially pragmatic approach, balancing legal risk, business outcomes and stakeholder relationships
• Experience reviewing and negotiating complex technology, data, client or supplier agreements
• Strong communication, drafting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• In-house experience and experience negotiating AI clauses in AI-enabled contracts would be advantageous

Ngā āhuatanga hirahira o te mahi ki PwC / Highlights of working at PwC NZ

• Rewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & deals
• Growth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathways
• Wellbeing - $250 annual wellbeing allowance; Life & income protection; Sonder/EAP/Headspace; 15 days’ paid sick leave; group-rate health insurance (eligibility applies)
• Reputation - PwC is known for shaping tomorrow. Join us and you’ll accelerate your career while helping clients and communities solve their most important problems.
• Flexibility - Flexible working; supportive coaching culture
• Time off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leave
• Whānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leave

Ngā whakautu ki o pātai / Your questions answered

Motuhake / Independence: Maintaining independence is fundamental to demonstrating that PwC has not been influenced by any relationships or situations that undermine our objectivity. This role requires an independence review process.

Nau mai ngā tono wawe / We encourage early applications: This role may close before the listed date if we identify a suitable candidate.

Atamai hangahanga / A.I. usage: Please note that secure, A.I.-enabled tools may support parts of our recruitment process, but all applications are reviewed and decisions made by our people.

Travel Requirements

Up to 20%

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

No