Senior Privacy Advisor
Job Summary
Our Legal and Commercial Corporate Services Division is looking for a Senior Privacy Advisor to support our Privacy Office. Under the direction of the Director Privacy Program the successful candidate will support legislative compliance and privacy best practices within Metrolinx with a focus on enabling privacy by design across AI and technology initiatives within a complex public sector environment. This role requires demonstrated experience with emerging technologies including the ability to understand technical requirements assess evolving privacy risks and ensure compliance with FIPPA and other applicable directives while enabling responsible innovation. The successful candidate will provide practical risk-informed guidance to support privacy by design and uphold public trust in the delivery of digital services.
The successful candidate is a self starter and will support initiatives in an agile capacity as a Privacy Subject Matter Expert on AI and emerging technology projects across several business areas such as Transit Safety PRESTO Customer Experience Information Technology and Marketing.
What will I be doing
Promote interpretation and compliance with legislative requirements of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and guidance from Ontarios Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Promote the development of privacy best practices above and beyond FIPPA and related legislative requirements including requirements of the private-sector Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) guidance from the Federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada guidance from the Ontario Public Service and related directives and industry best practices.
Maintain current knowledge of the application of privacy legislation and regulations and industry changes and anticipate the impact on privacy issues to organizational/corporate practices.
As privacy subject matter expert provide support to Metrolinx departments and project team members to ensure compliance with Metrolinx privacy policies legislative and contractual obligations and support standards and methodologies and implementation of best practices on an on-going basis.
Model Metrolinx s values and core competences especially in dealings with external partners and in the handling of personal and confidential information.
Support the privacy program governance framework under the leadership of the Director Privacy Program.
Implement strategic privacy projects including policies best practices and risk mitigation strategies across our departments.
Work effectively with other data governance partners such as AI Governance Security Records Management and others to ensure a fulsome review and assessment of projects assigned.
Monitor and conduct privacy research activities to identify and assess jurisdictional/private sector and industry best practices risks and impacts related to program delivery to inform and enhance the effectiveness of Metrolinxs privacy policy legal commitments and program delivery.
Identify contentious issues monitor changes to best practices and legal requirements brief staff and senior management and implement revisions/mitigation strategies.
Identify and assess privacy risks and provide advisory and consultative support to risk owners to develop appropriate mitigation plans. Conduct post-implementation analysis and reviews to ensure recommendations have been implemented.
Investigate privacy incidents to identify privacy breaches and support response plans through all phases of the incident response process including privacy analysis root cause analysis development of mitigation strategies and reviewing associated communications and reporting.
Lead investigations and respond to privacy inquiries privacy complaints and breach incidents and act as the primary contact for Ontarios Information and Privacy Commissioner; log follow-up activities and resolutions and provide advice to staff and senior management.
Review propose and coordinate appropriate action plans to address findings of privacy audits and monitoring in collaboration with Internal Audit and departments.
Ensure assigned risks are added to the Enterprise Risk Register and monitor to ensure compliance with risk mitigation plans and associated timelines.
Completion of a degree in Public Policy Computer Engineering Information Management Information Technology or related field or a combination of education training and experience deemed equivalent.
Demonstrated experience/training in providing technical advice in connection withemerging technologies including an ability to understand technical requirements assess evolving privacy risks and ensure legislative compliance while enabling responsible innovation.
Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply legislation and government regulations guiding privacy protection and access to information (e.g. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) Canadas Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).
Experience assessing privacy compliance for new programs information systems or services ideally in a public sector environment.
Experience preparing a range of written materials documentation reports briefing notes training materials; brief senior management and staff on a range of privacy issues/matters; provide information/documentation to the IPC.
Strong interpersonal skills with a sense of political acuity and the ability to present complex facts information and explanations to different audiences including matters brought before Ontarios Information and Privacy Commissioner and senior management.
Collaboration and relationship management skills to demonstrate aptitude for building trusted relationships and a reputation for sound judgement and pragmatism with internal clients and partners. Ability to work effectively and in partnership with colleagues diverse teams (including legal counsel and information technology internal audit and risk professionals) and partners to build consensus and influence decisions; foster a culture of information privacy awareness.
Knowledge of data digitization data mining information flow and security concepts to review and advise on the agreement of our technology/information management/security projects/plans to privacy practices and legislative compliance requirements.
- Any relevant designations from IAPP such as CIPT/C CIPP/C AIGP are an asset.
We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Metrolinx and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other applicable legislation so if you require accommodation during the hiring process please let our Recruitment team know by contacting us at: or email
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Required Experience:
Senior IC