Data Privacy Specialist Jobs in California
Data Privacy Specialist jobs in California are concentrated in technology, healthcare, financial services, and entertainment, making the state one of the most active markets in the country for this role, with openings at every level from junior compliance analyst to senior privacy counsel. The largest hiring hubs are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose, where employers such as Google, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo maintain significant operations and ongoing privacy teams. The most in-demand specialties include CCPA and CPRA compliance, data governance, and privacy program management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Data Privacy Specialist jobs
Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
Senior Director, Legal - Global Privacy & Data Counsel
San Mateo, CA or London, England | Hybrid - 2+ days per week in your designated office
Full relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
Role Summary:
Leading SIE’s Global Legal Privacy program, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing this function, which is central to our mission as a data-driven technology and entertainment company. You will develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive privacy policies, procedures, and practices that reflect industry best practices, comply with applicable data protection laws and regulations, and support SIE’s business objectives. Working collaboratively with teams around the world, you will help embed strong data privacy stewardship across the organization through your leadership, passion, and expertise.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead the Privacy Team: Lead a team of professionals spanning legal, operations and compliance, and data governance. Provide strong leadership to build a well-functioning team.
- Privacy Program Development: Design, implement, and evolve a robust and forward-thinking privacy program tailored to the specific needs of SIE’s multi-faceted, data-driven business. Provide senior leadership in communicating company's vision, strategy, and objectives for data privacy and data husbandry to stakeholders across SIE.
- Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date with evolving global privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and other regional data protection requirements. Ensure the company's policies and practices remain compliant with the changing legal landscape.
- Privacy by Design: Advocate privacy-by-design principles and ensure that privacy considerations are integrated into the development of new products, services, and technologies, working closely with product counselors, product managers, business function leaders and SIE’s ESG team.
- Privacy Policies and Procedures: Create and review privacy policies, notices, consent forms, and related documentation to ensure transparency and compliance with relevant data protection laws. Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, and other teams to disseminate these policies throughout the organization and to customers.
- Employee Training and Awareness: Conduct privacy training programs for employees and management to promote a privacy-aware culture. Foster awareness of privacy responsibilities and best practices throughout the organization.
- Vendor Management: Develop and evolve SIE’s processes to assess the privacy practices of vendors and third-party partners to ensure that data processing agreements and contracts comply with privacy and SIE’s Information Security requirements.
- Privacy Impact Assessments: Oversee the conduct of privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to identify and mitigate privacy risks associated with the company's data processing activities.
- Incident Response: Develop and maintain an effective incident response plan for privacy breaches. Coordinate with the Incident Response team to manage and mitigate privacy incidents and associated risks.
- Reporting and Accountability: Provide regular reports on the status of the privacy program to executive leadership and the board of directors. Be a focal point of contact for privacy-related inquiries from regulators and customers.
What We’re Looking For:
- Juris doctor degree; bachelor or advanced degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.
- 20+ years of legal experience and 10+ years proven experience in a senior privacy leadership role, preferably as a Chief Privacy Officer or Privacy Officer, within a data-driven technology company or relevant industry.
- In-depth knowledge of global privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and other regional frameworks. Broad knowledge of emerging requires in the APAC region a strong plus.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement comprehensive privacy programs that align with industry best practices, laws and regulations and data use requirements typical of a company like SIE.
- Experience in building an incident response process with partnership with the CISO or similar function; experience managing privacy incidents.
- Experience conducting privacy impact assessments and building processes for such assessments that will easily scale.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to influence and drive change in a collaborative environment. Privacy-related certifications such as CIPP, CIPM, CIPT, or other relevant certifications are highly desirable.
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#LI-SF1
At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package.
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.
Senior Director, Legal - Global Privacy & Data Counsel
San Mateo, CA or London, England | Hybrid - 2+ days per week in your designated office
Full relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
Role Summary:
Leading SIE’s Global Legal Privacy program, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing this function, which is central to our mission as a data-driven technology and entertainment company. You will develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive privacy policies, procedures, and practices that reflect industry best practices, comply with applicable data protection laws and regulations, and support SIE’s business objectives. Working collaboratively with teams around the world, you will help embed strong data privacy stewardship across the organization through your leadership, passion, and expertise.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead the Privacy Team: Lead a team of professionals spanning legal, operations and compliance, and data governance. Provide strong leadership to build a well-functioning team.
- Privacy Program Development: Design, implement, and evolve a robust and forward-thinking privacy program tailored to the specific needs of SIE’s multi-faceted, data-driven business. Provide senior leadership in communicating company's vision, strategy, and objectives for data privacy and data husbandry to stakeholders across SIE.
- Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date with evolving global privacy laws and regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and other regional data protection requirements. Ensure the company's policies and practices remain compliant with the changing legal landscape.
- Privacy by Design: Advocate privacy-by-design principles and ensure that privacy considerations are integrated into the development of new products, services, and technologies, working closely with product counselors, product managers, business function leaders and SIE’s ESG team.
- Privacy Policies and Procedures: Create and review privacy policies, notices, consent forms, and related documentation to ensure transparency and compliance with relevant data protection laws. Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, and other teams to disseminate these policies throughout the organization and to customers.
- Employee Training and Awareness: Conduct privacy training programs for employees and management to promote a privacy-aware culture. Foster awareness of privacy responsibilities and best practices throughout the organization.
- Vendor Management: Develop and evolve SIE’s processes to assess the privacy practices of vendors and third-party partners to ensure that data processing agreements and contracts comply with privacy and SIE’s Information Security requirements.
- Privacy Impact Assessments: Oversee the conduct of privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to identify and mitigate privacy risks associated with the company's data processing activities.
- Incident Response: Develop and maintain an effective incident response plan for privacy breaches. Coordinate with the Incident Response team to manage and mitigate privacy incidents and associated risks.
- Reporting and Accountability: Provide regular reports on the status of the privacy program to executive leadership and the board of directors. Be a focal point of contact for privacy-related inquiries from regulators and customers.
What We’re Looking For:
- Juris doctor degree; bachelor or advanced degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.
- 20+ years of legal experience and 10+ years proven experience in a senior privacy leadership role, preferably as a Chief Privacy Officer or Privacy Officer, within a data-driven technology company or relevant industry.
- In-depth knowledge of global privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and other regional frameworks. Broad knowledge of emerging requires in the APAC region a strong plus.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement comprehensive privacy programs that align with industry best practices, laws and regulations and data use requirements typical of a company like SIE.
- Experience in building an incident response process with partnership with the CISO or similar function; experience managing privacy incidents.
- Experience conducting privacy impact assessments and building processes for such assessments that will easily scale.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to influence and drive change in a collaborative environment. Privacy-related certifications such as CIPP, CIPM, CIPT, or other relevant certifications are highly desirable.
-
#LI-SF1
At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package.
Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
See All 20 Data Privacy Specialist Jobs in California
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Find Data Privacy Specialist JobsData Privacy Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Privacy Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data privacy specialist jobs across California.
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) credential required or strongly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in law, computer science, information systems, or a related field
- Working knowledge of CCPA and CPRA requirements and enforcement mechanisms
- Experience developing and maintaining privacy policies, notices, and data inventories
- Ability to conduct privacy impact assessments and data protection impact assessments
- Strong written communication skills for drafting privacy documentation and stakeholder guidance
Data Privacy Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data privacy specialist in California?
Most data privacy specialists in California enter the field with a bachelor's degree in law, information systems, computer science, or a related discipline, then pursue the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) credential offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals. California has no state-issued license for this role, but the CIPP/US is the recognized industry standard and is required or preferred in a large share of California job postings. Employers in regulated industries such as healthcare and finance also value familiarity with CCPA, CPRA, and HIPAA.
Which companies hire data privacy specialists in California?
Companies currently hiring data privacy specialists in California include Intuit, TikTok, and Meta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's dense concentration of technology firms, large healthcare networks, and financial institutions means sustained demand across multiple employer types year-round.
Which California cities have the most data privacy specialist jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and San Mateo have the most data privacy specialist openings in California. San Francisco and San Jose account for the largest share because of the concentration of major technology headquarters in the Bay Area, while Los Angeles draws from a broad mix of entertainment studios, healthcare systems, and financial services firms that all maintain active privacy compliance functions.
Are there remote data privacy specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 73% of data privacy specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and documentation-heavy nature of the work. Policy development, privacy impact assessments, and compliance monitoring are the functions most frequently offered on a fully remote basis.
How can I get hired as a data privacy specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a lateral move from a closely related role such as compliance analyst, information security coordinator, or legal operations assistant, where you already work with data governance or regulatory requirements. Large California employers including technology companies and major health systems often post associate privacy analyst or privacy operations roles suited to candidates without dedicated privacy experience. Earning the IAPP's entry-level CIPP/US credential and building a portfolio that includes a sample data inventory or a written CCPA gap assessment gives candidates a concrete edge when applying.
Where can I find and apply to data privacy specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to data privacy specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings in this field. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 20 Data Privacy Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Privacy Specialist Jobs