Sierra Club

Senior Privacy Counsel

Sierra Club$160K — $200K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of legal experience, with at least 3 years in a large law firm.
  • Strong knowledge of global privacy laws, especially GDPR and CCPA/CPRA.
  • Ability to communicate complex legal topics to non-legal stakeholders.
  • Basic understanding of AI and technical product landscapes.
  • Detail-oriented with a strong work ethic and commitment to quality and teamwork.

Responsibilities

  • Shape global privacy and data protection compliance strategies.
  • Build and implement Sierra's privacy program, including policies and risk frameworks.
  • Monitor global privacy regulations and advise leadership accordingly.
  • Develop governance policies for ethical AI and data usage.
  • Foster cross-functional collaboration with product and engineering teams.

Benefits

  • Unlimited Paid Time Off for work-life balance.
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and families.
  • Life and Disability Insurance for employee security.
  • Retirement Plan with company matching contributions.
  • Dedicated Parental Leave support and family-building benefits.
Full Job Description
What you'll do

We're hiring a Senior Privacy Counsel to be a core member of Sierra's growing legal team. This role will report to our Associate General Counsel, Product and Privacy, as part of our growing privacy legal function. We are looking for someone who has deep expertise in privacy counseling, AI privacy regulation, and commercial privacy support (e.g., DPAs, BAAs, and MSA privacy provisions). You will thrive in dynamic environments, enjoy tackling challenges beyond your comfort zone, and be excited to contribute across the business. In return, we'll provide the support and opportunities you need to grow and excel as a lawyer. You'll be part of a legal team that is highly respected within the company - committed to excellence, collaboration, and making a meaningful impact.
Privacy
  • Advise product, engineering, operations, marketing and other cross-functional teams on compliance with global privacy laws and related regulation applicable to Sierra's business, including GDPR, the EU AI Act, DORA, etc.
  • Build and own Sierra's privacy counseling and compliance program as we scale globally.
  • Develop specific privacy regulation expertise in core regulated industries of Sierra customers, such as healthcare, insurance, banking, telecommunications, and financial services.
  • Support the commercial legal team and GTM teams by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating the commercial privacy aspects of transactional work, including data processing agreements, business associate agreements, and other privacy-related transactional documents.
  • Manage privacy incident response processes and related notification obligations.
  • Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for product and business teams.
Regulatory (with focus on AI)
  • Advise on all aspects of emerging AI-specific privacy regulations and their applicability to Sierra's business.
  • Develop and implement AI governance policies and frameworks to ensure responsible AI deployment, ethical data usage, and regulatory adherence.
  • Monitor and interpret global AI and privacy regulations, advising leadership on risks, trends, and strategic compliance initiatives.
  • Represent Sierra in discussions with regulators, industry groups, and external stakeholders on privacy and AI governance matters.
What you'll bring
  • 8+ years of legal experience, with a combination of large international law firm and in-house experience at a tech company.
  • Deep knowledge of global privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, and other US state privacy laws) and AI regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI Risk Management Framework).
  • A passion for AI, with a deep understanding of AI products, LLMs and the related legal issues, and personal experience with integrating AI into your work.
  • Experience mentoring and managing more junior team members.
  • Extensive experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating DPAs, BAAs, and other privacy-related commercial terms.
  • Ability to assess privacy risks and implement compliance solutions in the context of a hyperscaling business, with sound judgment and strategic decision making. You will not be afraid to make judgment calls, and you will be empowered to do so.
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to balance legal risks and business objectives in a fast-moving environment.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to partner with both legal and non-legal stakeholders.
  • A strong work ethic with an eye for detail. You will strive for perfection, and expect that of others.
  • Be a team player first and foremost. Sierra is a unique place to work, with a strong sense of togetherness, and the legal team is no exception. You will look out for your colleagues, be accustomed to sharing and helping the team succeed.
Even better...
  • Experience building a privacy program in a regulated industry (healthcare, financial services, insurance, banking, telecommunications), and/or at a high-growth technology company.
  • Experience engaging with regulators and policymakers on AI and privacy issues.
  • CIPP/US, CIPP/E, or similar certification.
  • Previous experience developing trust and safety or responsible AI programs.
  • Startup experience and comfort with rapid iteration and ambiguity.
What we offer

We want our benefits to reflect our values and offer the following to full-time employees:
  • Flexible (unlimited) paid time off
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Life insurance and disability benefits
  • Retirement plan dependent on country of employment
  • Parental leave
  • Fertility and family building benefits through Carrot
  • Lunch, as well as delicious snacks and coffee to keep you energized
  • Discretionary benefit stipend giving people the ability to spend where it matters most
  • Free alphorn lessons

These benefits are further detailed in Sierra's policies, may vary by region, and are subject to change at any time, consistent with the terms of any applicable compensation or benefits plans. Eligible full-time employees can participate in Sierra's equity plans subject to the terms of the applicable plans and policies.

About Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental conservation. It was founded in 1892 by John Muir and is one of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the United States. The organization has over 3.8 million members and supporters and is dedicated to protecting the planet's natural resources and wildlife. The Sierra Club engages in a variety of activities, including lobbying for environmental legislation, organizing outdoor activities, and publishing a magazine. The organization is headquartered in Oakland, California.
Learn more about Sierra Club
Size
800 employees
Industry
Founded
1892

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