Lead Data Privacy Counsel - Remote First

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work environment

Competitive salary

Opportunity to build and lead privacy

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Data Privacy Counsel to join its remote-first legal team. You will shape and lead the privacy program across global operations, ensuring compliance with POPIA, GDPR, and other privacy laws. You will collaborate with IT, Security, Marketing and Product Development to embed privacy-by-design.

The role emphasizes building a proactive privacy culture, managing DPIAs/PIAs, DSARs, and data breach responses, while delivering training and governance across the organization.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney with a minimum of 6 years post-qualification experience in data privacy.
• Experience advising on POPIA, GDPR, CCPA and other international privacy regulations.
• Experience conducting privacy assessments and managing data breach responses.
• Excellent understanding of data processing agreements, consent management and data mapping.
• CIPP certification is highly desirable.
• Eligible to work remotely from Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA or anywhere in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain global data privacy policies, procedures and standards.
• Provide expert legal advice on data privacy matters including data collection, processing, storage, transfer and deletion.
• Conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
• Manage data subject access requests and other individual rights requests.
• Oversee responses to data breaches including notification procedures and regulatory engagement.
• Stay current with evolving global privacy laws and advise on impact on the business.
• Develop and deliver data privacy training programs for employees.
• Collaborate with IT and Security teams to ensure protective measures for personal data.
• Advise product and engineering teams on privacy implications of new features.

Skills

Data privacy law

Regulatory compliance

Privacy impact assessments

DSAR and data subject rights

Data breach response

Contracting/privacy agreements

Data mapping

Education

Admitted Attorney

CIPP certification desirable

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Lead Data Privacy Counsel to join their fully remote legal department. This is a unique opportunity for a legal professional passionate about data protection and privacy laws to shape and lead our client's privacy program. Operating from a remote-first stance, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive data privacy strategies across all global operations. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring compliance with stringent regulations such as POPIA, GDPR, and other applicable privacy laws. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, Security, Marketing, and Product Development, to embed privacy-by-design principles into all business processes and product lifecycles. This role offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa, focusing on impact and results rather than physical location.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the company's global data privacy policies, procedures, and standards.
• Provide expert legal advice on all data privacy matters, including data collection, processing, storage, transfer, and deletion.
• Conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for new projects and technologies.
• Manage data subject access requests (DSARs) and other individual rights requests.
• Oversee the company's response to data breaches, including notification procedures and regulatory engagement.
• Stay current with evolving global privacy laws and regulations and advise on their impact on the business.
• Develop and deliver data privacy training programs for employees across the organization.
• Collaborate with IT and Security teams to ensure technical and organizational measures protect personal data.
• Advise product and engineering teams on privacy implications of new features and services.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney with a minimum of 6 years of post-qualification experience, with a specialized focus on data privacy and protection laws.
• Demonstrable experience advising on POPIA, GDPR, CCPA, and other international privacy regulations.
• Experience conducting privacy assessments and managing data breach responses.
• Excellent understanding of data processing agreements, consent management, and data mapping.
• Proven ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical business solutions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, essential for a remote role.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage workload independently.
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) or similar certification is highly desirable.
• Must be eligible to work remotely from **Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA** or any other location in South Africa.

Benefits

• Fully remote work environment, offering maximum flexibility and work-life balance.
• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to build and lead a critical privacy function from the ground up.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and resources to support your work.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.
• Regular virtual team-building activities and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute significantly to the ethical data practices of a growing tech-forward company.