VP – Compliance Counsel and Data Privacy Officer

EBSCO Industries, Inc. (EBSCO), headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is one of the largest privately held and family-owned companies in the United States. EBSCO was founded in 1944 by an entrepreneur who was passionate about honoring our commitments to our customers, rejecting the status quo, and seeking to continuously improve our team. We continue to operate that way today, with a passion for our people and our businesses succeeding together. EBSCO has grown and evolved over time into a holding company with a global portfolio comprised of dozens of entities in over 15 separate industries/markets, including Information services, outdoor products, real estate, manufacturing and distribution, and insurance services. We provide valuable support services to our subsidiaries to support their growth. We hire passionate people, driven to grow, because we know the success of EBSCO depends on the long-term success of our businesses and our teams.

EBSCO’s Legal Department has an exciting opportunity for a new VP – Compliance Counsel and Data Privacy Officer to join the team!  Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the VP – Compliance Counsel and DPO will be responsible for developing and leading the Company’s Compliance Programs, with a focus on data privacy compliance.  The position will interact with senior leadership and key stakeholders across EBSCO.  EBSCO’s Legal team is a central corporate function responsible for managing risk and advising our businesses on a wide range of critical issues.  EBSCO’s Legal Department oversees all legal and compliance aspects of the Company, including general corporate, intellectual property and litigation matters.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as the Company’s subject matter expert on compliance matters, with an emphasis on global privacy and data protection laws and regulations.
• Develops, implements, and manages the Company’s compliance programs, including global privacy and data protection (including GDPR).
• Develops compliance policies, procedures and training materials.
• Prepares and assists with presenting reports on compliance risks, risk mitigation measures and compliance activities to key stakeholders, senior management and the Board of Directors/Audit Committee.
• Provides leadership and strategic guidance to Departments/Business Units in the design and evaluation of privacy and data protection related tools and projects (e.g., privacy-by-design).
• Collaborates with Information Security to ensure alignment between Cyber Security and Privacy and Data Protection practices. Oversees conduct of data protection impact assessments and provides support such assessments.
• In coordination with senior counsel, serves as a liaison to regulatory and data protection authorities for matters relating to privacy and data protection.
• In collaboration with other Company departments (e.g., Information Security, Corporate Quality and Vendor Management) establishes an internal and external privacy and data protection monitoring and audit program.

Required skills:

• Law degree plus 5 or more years of professional legal experience.
• 3+ years’ experience developing and managing compliance programs.
• 3+ years’ experience with US and European privacy and data protection laws, regulations and best practices (GDPR, Privacy Shield, etc.).
• 3+ years’ experience with conducting compliance risk and program assessments.

Preferred skills:

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive internal and external stakeholders to a decision in a corporate environment.
• Demonstrated track record of strategic communication and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet tight deadlines and work effectively in a multi-functional, international team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and work ethic.

We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. We strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, sex, pregnancy status, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law.