Gates Foundation Principal Counsel, Data & Privacy Job 2026 : Earn Up to $442,100 Per Year
The Gates Foundation is hiring a Principal Counsel, Data & Privacy to join its Legal Division in Seattle, Washington. This is an exceptional opportunity for experienced privacy and data protection lawyers who want to apply their expertise to one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations while supporting global health, development, and innovation initiatives.
With a salary of up to $442,100 per year in Seattle, this senior leadership role is ideal for professionals with extensive experience in global privacy law, GDPR compliance, data governance, and enterprise legal strategy.
Position Overview
Job Title: Principal Counsel, Data & Privacy
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Requisition ID: B021366
Organization: Gates Foundation
About the Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation is the world’s largest private philanthropic organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequality. Through partnerships with governments, nonprofits, researchers, and communities, the foundation works to improve health, expand educational opportunities, and create economic opportunities globally.
The Legal Division supports this mission by delivering strategic legal guidance, managing legal risk, and enabling innovative, mission-driven work across the foundation and its affiliated organizations.
Key Responsibilities
As Principal Counsel, Data & Privacy, you will:
- Lead and support the foundation’s global data privacy programme.
- Advise on GDPR, UK GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA, and other privacy frameworks.
- Provide legal guidance on personal data processing, governance, and lifecycle management.
- Draft, review, and negotiate data protection agreements and data-sharing contracts.
- Develop privacy policies, legal guidance, templates, and operational playbooks.
- Conduct privacy impact assessments and transfer impact assessments.
- Collaborate with legal, technology, operations, and programme teams worldwide.
- Deliver privacy and compliance training across multiple offices and business functions.
- Support responsible AI initiatives and advise on privacy implications of AI technologies.
- Improve privacy processes and implement scalable governance solutions.
- Work with external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should possess:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
- Active Bar membership in good standing.
- At least 15 years of legal experience, primarily focused on data privacy.
- Extensive experience managing enterprise or global privacy programmes.
- Deep knowledge of GDPR, UK GDPR, and major U.S. privacy regulations.
- Experience negotiating complex data licensing, data-sharing, and privacy agreements.
- Strong legal drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience translating complex legal requirements into practical business guidance.
- Ability to influence senior leadership and collaborate across international teams.
Desired Skills
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong leadership and strategic thinking.
- High ethical standards and professional integrity.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience using Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat, Salesforce, Smartsheet, and Mural.
- Interest in leveraging AI and machine learning tools to improve legal operations.
Salary
The Gates Foundation offers one of the most competitive compensation packages in the nonprofit sector.
Salary Range (General):
- $261,700 – $405,700 USD per year
Seattle & Washington D.C. Salary Range:
- $285,300 – $442,100 USD per year
New hires are generally placed between the minimum salary and the midpoint based on qualifications, experience, and interview performance.
Employee Benefits
Employees enjoy an outstanding benefits package that includes:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with no employee premiums
- Generous paid time off
- Paid family leave
- Foundation-funded retirement contributions
- Regional holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Inclusive employee communities
- Flexible and collaborative work environment
Work Authorization
Applicants must already have legal authorization to work in the country where the position is located.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This position offers the opportunity to shape privacy governance for one of the world’s most influential nonprofit organizations. You’ll work alongside experts in global health, research, technology, and philanthropy while helping build responsible data governance that supports life-changing programmes across the globe.
If you are a senior privacy lawyer seeking meaningful work with global impact and outstanding compensation, this role represents one of the strongest opportunities available in the nonprofit legal sector.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the Gates Foundation careers website before the position is filled.
For accommodation requests during the recruitment process, applicants may contact the foundation’s Human Resources team as outlined in the official vacancy announcement.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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Principal Counsel / Principal Counsel / Principal Counsel
