Principal Adviser Ethics & Compliance Privacy

• Shape enterprise privacy, data and responsible AI governance across Rio Tinto, supporting confident decision-making on complex and high-risk matters
• Influence major technology, transformation and corporate matters while shaping practical global privacy positions and guardrails
• Join a senior global specialist team with flexibility to be based in a Rio Tinto hub location and occasional travel, London, Singapore, Montreal

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Principal Advisor – Privacy to help strengthen privacy and data protection governance across Rio Tinto’s global operations, functions and major programs.

This is a senior specialist role providing practical, independent advice on complex and high-risk privacy matters, including emerging data and AI issues where they intersect with privacy. You will simplify complex regulatory requirements, exercise sound judgement and help the business navigate competing legal, operational and reputational considerations.

Reporting to the General Manager, Privacy, Data & AI Governance / Global Data Protection Officer, and working within a senior global specialist team, you will:

• Provide senior, commercially pragmatic privacy and data protection advice across global businesses, operations, functions and major projects
• Lead or oversee complex privacy and data protection impact assessments, technology deployments and transformation programs
• Advise on sensitive workforce and contractor privacy matters, including health information, biometrics, monitoring, surveillance, geolocation and safety technologies
• Guide responses to complex privacy incidents, data breaches, individual rights matters and regulatory engagements across multiple jurisdictions
• Draft, review and negotiate privacy and data protection provisions, international data transfer arrangements and high-risk third-party terms
• Advise on cross-border transfers, artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, data analytics and emerging technologies where privacy risks arise
• Support major transactions, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures and organisational change, while developing global privacy positions, guardrails and precedents
• Collaborate across Legal, Ethics & Compliance, People, Health, IS&T, Cyber and Procurement, while managing external counsel and specialist advisers as required

About you

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Qualified lawyer admitted, or previously admitted, to practise in a recognised jurisdiction, with significant post-qualification legal experience
• Deep privacy and data protection expertise gained at a senior level within a large, complex multinational organisation
• Broad practical experience across privacy impact assessments, incidents and breaches, sensitive information, privacy contracting, international data transfers and workforce privacy
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex privacy requirements and translate them into clear, proportionate and practical advice for senior leaders
• Experience operating independently across multiple jurisdictions and managing external law firms or specialist privacy advisers

What we offer

• Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress
• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons
• Exclusive employee discounts across banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more

Where you’ll be working

You will be part of Rio Tinto’s global Privacy, Data & AI Governance team, working across a broad international portfolio of privacy, data and emerging technology matters.

The role offers flexibility to be based from an appropriate Rio Tinto hub location, working across jurisdictions, cultures and time zones. Occasional travel may be required.

About Rio Tinto
 

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
 

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.