Senior Legal Counsel - Data Privacy - Internal Firm Services

PwC International; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Referral bonuses

Retail discounts

Wellbeing allowance

Life & income protection

Sonder/EAP/Headspace

Paid sick leave

Group-rate health insurance

Job summary

PwC New Zealand is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel – Data Privacy to serve as Privacy Officer and trusted adviser across privacy, data protection, AI, technology and information security matters.

You will lead complex negotiations, support data incidents and regulatory responses, and strengthen privacy governance, policies, playbooks and training while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with senior leaders across the firm.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years’ legal counsel experience with data privacy.
• NZ practising certificate is required.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating complex technology, data, client or supplier agreements.
• In-house experience and familiarity with AI governance is 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 and AI governance.
• Review client master service agreements and other commercial contracts.
• Monitor regulatory developments across privacy and data protection.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to playbooks and training.

Skills

Data privacy

Contract negotiation

In-house experience

AI clauses

Stakeholder management

Education

NZ practising certificate

Job description

Management LevelManagerJob Description & SummaryKia 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 roleJoin 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 OfficerLead and support complex data privacy negotiations in client and supplier contractsAdvise on data incidents involving personal information, AI governance, technology risk assessments, and contractual risks relating to new technologiesReview and negotiate client master service agreements, supplier contracts and other commercial arrangementsMonitor legislative and regulatory developments across privacy, AI, and data protectionIdentify and escalate legal and regulatory risks where appropriateMentor junior staff and contribute to legal templates, playbooks, and trainingNgā pūkenga ka kawea mai e koe, ka whakawhanakehia rānei i tēnei tūranga / Skills you will bring or develop in this role5–10+ years’ legal counsel experience, with demonstrated expertise in data privacyA current New Zealand practising certificateA commercially pragmatic approach, balancing legal risk, business outcomes and stakeholder relationshipsExperience reviewing and negotiating complex technology, data, client or supplier agreementsStrong communication, drafting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing prioritiesIn-house experience and experience negotiating AI clauses in AI-enabled contracts would be advantageousNgā āhuatanga hirahira o te mahi ki PwC / Highlights of working at PwC NZRewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & dealsGrowth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathwaysWellbeing - $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 cultureTime off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leaveWhānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leaveMō te aha tāu e tatari ana? / What are you waiting for?Hit Apply now. To learn how you can grow your career at PwC, visit our careers site at https://www.pwc.co.nz/careers.html .Grow here. Go further.Ngā whakautu ki o pātai / Your questions answeredMotuhake / 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 RequirementsUp to 20%Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?NoJob Posting End Date