Privacy Specialist

Merck & Co.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co. in San Diego, CA, seeks a Privacy Specialist (Paralegal preferred) for a 6-month contract to support privacy operations, DPIAs, RoPAs, and documentation. This in-person role reports to the Sr. Dir. Compliance & Privacy.

The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to maintain data inventories and mappings, assist with intake and requests, and ensure compliance with GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other health data laws.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow a process carefully and document work clearly.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Professionalism handling confidential information.
• Prior internship or project-based work preferred.
• Interest in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support daily privacy program activities, including assessments and documentation.
• Assist Privacy Counsel with DPIAs, PIAs, and other privacy assessments.
• Work cross-functionally to maintain RoPAs, data inventories, and data mappings.
• Assist with intake, tracking, and documentation of privacy questions.
• Support compliance with GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other privacy laws.
• Monitor privacy regulatory updates and summarize key developments.
• Maintain privacy policies, procedures, notices, templates, and training materials.
• Assist with privacy reviews for processing activities.
• Collect evidence and track follow-up items for assessments.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Professionalism

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/IT/CE

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Privacy Specialist 6 Months Contract

San Diego, CA

Position Summary

We are looking for a Privacy Specialist (Paralegal Preferred) to help support our privacy program. This role will focus on privacy operations, including DPIAs, RoPAs, privacy intake, documentation, and support for privacy and data protection compliance. This is an in-person role located in our San Diego office. This position reports into the Sr. Dir. Compliance & Privacy.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support daily privacy program activities, including assessments, documentation, and compliance tracking.
• Support the Privacy Counsel with the completion of DPIAs, PIAs, and other privacy assessments for clinical research, patient programs, vendor systems, and business processes.
• Work cross-functionally with business teams to maintain RoPAs, data inventories, and data mapping records for key business activities.
• Assist with intake, tracking, and documentation of privacy questions and requests.
• Support compliance with privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, U.S. state privacy laws, and other health data laws where applicable.
• Monitor privacy regulatory updates and summarize key developments for the privacy and legal teams.
• Help maintain privacy policies, procedures, notices, templates, and training materials.
• Assist with privacy reviews for processing activities, such as clinical trials, patient services, pharmacovigilance, medical affairs, and commercial programs.
• Help collect evidence and track follow-up items for assessments, reviews, and remediation activities.

Skills & Experience

• Ability to follow a process carefully, pay attention to details, and document work clearly.
• Communication and teamwork skills: comfortable asking questions, sharing what you tried, and collaborating with others to solve problems.
• Professionalism and integrity when handling sensitive information (security work often involves confidential data).
• Prior internship, leadership experience, campus involvement, or project-based work preferred.
• Interest in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations.
• Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedule or business needs.

Education

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems/Information Technology, or Computer Engineering.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.