Sr. Privacy Program Specialist

1001 Columbia Sportswear Comp; Kansas; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching plan

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Wellness programs & benefits

Employee discounts

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is seeking a Sr. Privacy Program Specialist to advance and operationalize our privacy program. You will partner with Legal, IT, Information Security, HR, Marketing, eCommerce, and other teams to identify privacy risks and implement solutions.

You’ll evaluate technologies, vendors, and data processing activities, act as a trusted advisor, and help ensure privacy requirements are integrated into projects, systems, and processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in privacy, data governance, risk management, or related field.
• Experience in privacy risk assessments, PIAs, DSARs, or data protection reviews.
• Hands-on experience administering or supporting the Transcend privacy management platform.
• Knowledge of GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other global privacy requirements.
• Bachelor's degree and privacy certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct privacy assessments for new technologies, apps, vendors, and initiatives to identify risks and mitigation.
• Partner with stakeholders across Legal, IT, HR, Marketing, and eCommerce to embed privacy.
• Support privacy management tools and improve program documentation and guidance.
• Review vendor agreements and data processing activities for privacy alignment.
• Create privacy training and communications for the organization.
• Monitor privacy regulations and translate requirements into actionable practices.
• Support privacy program initiatives and special projects to strengthen posture.

Skills

Privacy governance

Risk assessment

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CIPP CIPM CIPT (preferred)

Tools

Transcend privacy platform

Job description

About the Position

OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS. At Columbia, we’re as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we’re proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground. Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.” As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving. We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest. And we believe in you.

About the Position

As a Sr. Privacy Program Specialist, you will help advance and operationalize our privacy program by partnering with stakeholders across Legal, IT, Information Security, Human Resources, Marketing, eCommerce, and other business functions. In this role, you’ll evaluate new technologies, vendors, business initiatives, and data processing activities to identify privacy risks and recommend practical solutions. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to business partners, helping ensure privacy requirements are effectively integrated into projects, systems, and processes. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, building relationships across diverse teams, and leveraging privacy technology platforms to drive meaningful business outcomes.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Conduct privacy assessments and reviews for new technologies, applications, vendors, and business initiatives to identify privacy risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Partner with business, technology, and legal stakeholders to embed privacy considerations into projects and operational processes.
• Support the administration, enhancement, and ongoing effectiveness of privacy management technologies and related program tools.
• Review vendor agreements and data processing activities to help ensure alignment with privacy requirements and company standards.
• Develop, maintain, and improve privacy program documentation, procedures, and internal guidance materials.
• Create and deliver privacy training, awareness initiatives, and communications for employees across the organization.
• Monitor emerging privacy regulations, industry trends, and technologies, helping translate requirements into actionable business practices.
• Support privacy program initiatives and special projects that strengthen the company's overall privacy posture.

Who You Are

• YOU ARE A collaborative relationship builder who can influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and balancing competing priorities in a dynamic business environment.
• An effective communicator who can explain complex privacy concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Naturally curious and motivated to continually learn about evolving privacy, technology, and regulatory developments.
• A practical problem solver who seeks business-friendly solutions while managing risk appropriately.

Requirements

• You have 5+ years of experience in privacy, and familiarity with data governance, risk management, information security, or a related field.
• Experience conducting privacy risk assessments, privacy impact assessments (PIAs), DSAR’s, data protection reviews, or similar risk-based evaluations.
• Hands‑on experience administering, configuring, or supporting the Transcend privacy management platform is required.
• Knowledge of privacy regulations and frameworks, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other global privacy requirements.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; CIPP, CIPM, CIPT, or related privacy certification preferred.

Benefits

• Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well‑being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well‑being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community.
• Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match.
• Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services).
• In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services.
• We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf.

Learn more about how you can help us shape the next 80 years here.