Data Protection Specialist

Volkswagen Group is one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers, employing more than 600,000 people globally and selling its vehicles in more than 150 countries. The wholly-owned subsidiary has its National Sales Centre based in Sydney home to some of Australia's most recognisable brands which include Audi, CUPRA, Skoda and Volkswagen.

Job Summary:

Volkswagen Group Australia’s (VGA) Legal team is responsible for providing strategic legal advice and practical legal support to some of Australia's most recognisable brands such as Volkswagen, AUDI, SKODA and CUPRA.

VGA has an opportunity for a Data Protection Specialist to join VGA’s Legal team to provide high-quality legal, risk monitoring and prevention advice across the company and across other regional Volkswagen Group companies. In this position you are responsible for advising on data protection and privacy compliance functions, procedures, and technologies across VGA and other regional Group Companies (as may be required), thereby assisting Volkswagen Group in reducing risk in all key areas of data protection and privacy compliance as part of the broader APAC Privacy Monitoring Hub.

Additionally, you will review, analyse, and make recommendations for implementing and improving data protection and privacy compliance policies at VGA.

The specialist will also support VGA’s and the global Volkswagen Group’s efforts in maintaining the highest levels of conformance regarding all data protection and privacy compliance matters.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support Data Protection / Privacy Office responsibilities for data protection / privacy compliance assessments of business departments and business initiatives.
• Assist Data Protection / Privacy Office responsibilities for Privacy by design of business strategy as well as implementation of necessary technical organisational measures (TOMs).
• Support the development and implementation of data protection and privacy compliance training.
• Partner with the business / departments to support compliance of local data protection and privacy rules and regulations as well as with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as applicable.
• Support VGA’s and other regional Group Companies’ data protection / privacy compliance response processes in cooperation with VGA’s Legal team.
• Support legal department engagement in VGA and other regional Group Companies and industry automotive data protection and privacy compliance initiatives.
• Maintain subject matter expertise on applicable data protection and privacy laws and regulations.
• Review data protection / privacy related complaints or issues generated from business lines or customer relations and provide guidance on remediation.
• Assist in the evaluation of data protection / privacy compliance technology as well as capturing, maintaining and analyzing respective data.
• Advise on local and international (where appropriate) regulatory legal developments, trends and guidelines in data and privacy risk.
• Review and manage efficient, accurate and timely responses to internal and external information request. Recommend efficient practices base on subject matter expertise.
• Assist in the management of external law firms, consultants and vendors, as related to data and privacy risk matters.
• Advise management and business departments regarding ongoing data protection and privacy assessments.
• Assist in the Construction, implementation of special assignments and projects regarding data protection and privacy compliance matters.
• Stay up to date on all respective industry trends (in connection with data protection and privacy compliance) with ongoing training and development.
• Create data privacy compliance toolkits to roll-out to Volkswagen Group entities as part of the APAC Privacy Monitoring Hub,

• Work with Group Data Protection – Monitoring (K-SDM) of Volkswagen Group in order to enable a constant exchange of ideas, developments and trends of all matters regarding data protection and privacy compliance. Experience in working with group data protection at an multilayered organizational level in-depth knowledge of existing committees and their meaning, tasks and roles in the company’s and groups Data Protection/Security Management Organization (DSMO).
• Assist the Data Privacy Manager with undertaking Privacy Monitoring Activities within the APAC Hub, including data protection audits of regional Volkswagen Group entities, reports and supporting entities with data privacy compliance.

Experience Required:

• Understanding of key local Australian, regional and EU data protection and privacy regulations (including but not limited to GDPR and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)).
• Highly developed communication skills and previous experience advising on complex data privacy questions, matters and regulatory issues.
• Knowledge of technical organizational measures (TOMs).
• In-depth knowledge of local and as required, international, data protection and privacy compliance legal basis and reliable ability to assess lawfulness and admissibility.

Skills Required:

• Experience with implementing and managing data protection and privacy compliance policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with data breach notification law and procedures, and experience with management of data breach incidents from data protection and privacy perspective.
• Experience responding to third party information requests and subpoenas for customer personal information.
• Experience in giving practical advice on business risk taking, risk assessments and risk mitigation efforts.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting privacy related contracts.
• Experience in risk management or in a regulatory compliance function for the undertaking of Privacy Impact Assessments and Audits.
• Ability to assist in projects and assessments and implement processes in a fluid, fast-paced environment.
• Strong inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently, and to also collaborate with the broader legal team and business colleagues on legal and regulative topics.
• Solid teamwork skills, ability to build and leverage the capabilities of a high-performing team.
• Attention to detail.
• Must be results orientated and able to focus on achieving short and long term goals.
• Excellent decision making and problem solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong judgement, influencing skills, integrity, and discretion in handling highly sensitive issues
• Time and priority management.

About you:

• A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification within the EU.
• Qualified lawyer in Australia with 3-5 years post admission legal experience and a current practicing certificate.

Why Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA)?

Working at VGA provides opportunities for growth, personal development, and career opportunities, we also champion a workplace culture that thrives on passion, collaboration, efficiency, mindfulness, authenticity, and innovation.

If this sounds like the role and place for you to drive your career to great heights with a world-class organisation, APPLY NOW!

Volkswagen Group Australia is an equal opportunity employer in each jurisdiction that it operates. We encourage and value applications from all diverse perspectives, experience and backgrounds.

To support our desire to create a local talent pipeline, this role is only available for individuals who have permanent work rights in Australia.

Successful applicants will be required to complete background checks through our external provider as a condition of employment.

If we can provide support with access requirements throughout the recruitment process or answer any role specific enquiries, please reach out to the VGA HR Team via [email protected].

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