Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) job description

If you’re looking to hire a Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), this job description template can help with easily defining the key responsibilities and qualifications required. This template provides a clear framework to attract the best candidates with the right skills and experience, streamlining your recruitment process and ensuring accuracy.

Job description template

Reporting to: CEO/General Counsel/Board

Level/experience: 15+ years’ experience in privacy, data protection, or regulatory leadership, with significant executive and global exposure

General role and responsibilities

The Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) is responsible for setting and leading the organisation’s global privacy and data protection strategy. Operating at Board level, the CPO acts as a trusted advisor to the executive team and a visible champion of privacy, ethics, and trust across all operations, products, and markets.

The CPO ensures compliance with evolving global data protection regulations, oversees engagement with supervisory authorities, and drives a culture where privacy is embedded in innovation and business decision-making. This role requires both strategic vision and operational leadership, balancing regulatory risk with business growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Defining and implementing the organisation’s global privacy and data protection strategy
• Advising the Board and C-suite on privacy, ethics, AI governance, and digital trust
• Building and leading a high-performing global privacy function, including regional leads and specialist counsel
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, APAC frameworks, and emerging regulations (AI act, data localisation laws)
• Acting as a senior liaison with regulators, legislators, industry associations, and advocacy groups
• Overseeing governance of data subject rights, DPIAs, and breach response at enterprise level
• Integrating privacy by design into product development, digital transformation, and new business initiatives
• Leading privacy risk assessments, audits, and reporting to Audit/Compliance Committees
• Championing data ethics and responsible innovation, particularly in AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics
• Acting as the public face of the organisation on privacy matters, representing its commitment to accountability and trust

Experience and qualifications

• Recognised leader in privacy and data protection with extensive global experience
• Strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams across multiple regions
• Deep knowledge of global data protection laws, enforcement trends, and regulatory landscapes
• Experience influencing and advising Boards and C-suite executives
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen; able to balance risk management with commercial priorities
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills, with experience engaging regulators and external stakeholders
• Professional qualifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, or legal qualification desirable but not mandatory at this level
• Demonstrated thought leadership in privacy, data ethics, or digital governance

Optional sector-specific responsibilities

Depending on the organisation’s sector and structure, additional responsibilities may include:

• Leading ethical governance for AI, algorithmic fairness, and automated decision-making
• Overseeing cyber security and information governance in collaboration with the CISO
• Advising on data monetisation strategies, balancing innovation with trust
• Supporting M&A due diligence and integration from a privacy perspective
• Driving ESG reporting on digital responsibility and consumer trust