Privacy Specialist (HR Data Privacy Focus)

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Privacy Specialist, you’ll serve as a key privacy resource that supports Human Resources (HR), helping promote and support responsible handling of employee data. The individual will work closely with business process owners, privacy partners, and stakeholders to assess privacy risks, support privacy-related processes, and advocate for sound data protection practices. The position focuses on helping HR teams navigate privacy requirements while balancing operational needs and employee data protection.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is preferred
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience is required.
• Privacy experience with demonstrated knowledge of privacy risk management and privacy assessment processes is highly preferred
• Ability to interpret and apply privacy-related requirements and considerations.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Strong communication and influence skills with the ability to advocate for privacy practices

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), privacy reviews, privacy risk evaluations, or similar activities.
• Experience supporting HR-related privacy initiatives or working with employee data is preferred
• Background in privacy, compliance, risk management, audit, security, or related disciplines.
• Experience improving processes and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with privacy regulations and data protection concepts.
• Professional privacy certifications.
• Experience partnering with business teams to implement privacy-focused solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support HR privacy assessments and reviews, including Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), data-sharing reviews, vendor assessments, Coupa requests, and other privacy governance activities.
• Partner with HR process owners, project teams, technology teams, and Enterprise Privacy to assess privacy risks related to new systems, vendors, technologies, integrations, and employee data initiatives.
• Identify, document, and help mitigate privacy risks by recommending appropriate controls, maintaining privacy documentation, and ensuring compliance with enterprise privacy standards.
• Support the integration of privacy-by-design principles into HR processes, technologies, and employee data management practices.
• Contribute to HR's First Line of Defense responsibilities by supporting governance processes that promote the appropriate collection, use, sharing, retention, access, and protection of employee data.
• Provide privacy consultation and guidance to HR business partners and stakeholders, promoting awareness and the responsible handling of sensitive employee information.
• Support the continuous improvement of HR privacy processes by identifying efficiencies, enhancing governance practices, and encouraging adoption of privacy-focused behaviors across the organization.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) is provided to salaried (exempt) employees and provides the opportunity to take time away from the office with pay for vacation, personal or short-term illness.
• Pension Eligible

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level