Data Protection & AI Compliance Officer, Assistant Principal

About This Role

Role Purpose

The Data Protection & AI Compliance Officer will lead the organisation’s data protection strategy and ensure continued compliance with GDPR and relevant national legislation. This role will oversee data protection impact assessments for new initiatives, manage data breaches and subject access requests, and act as the primary liaison with both the Data Protection Commission and individuals exercising their data rights. The DPO will also be instrumental in promoting a culture of privacy by design across all projects and will support staff through training and awareness activities.

About the Team/Division

The Data and Technology Division is tasked with ensuring that Coimisiún na Meán makes effective use of data and technology in the discharge of its functions and to support its operations whilst providing essential insights into data science and the technologies employed by regulated entities. This Division employs advanced analytics and state-of -the-art technologies to oversee compliance, analyse trends, and provide critical insights to the various business units within Comisiún na Meán. The Data Governance team comprises a Director who is dedicated to best practices in data governance and management, analytical insights, and advanced statistical modeling. The team also includes a Data Engineer, a Data Scientist, and three Data Analyst.

Key Responsibilities

• Registered Data Protection Officer for Coimisiún na Meán
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, Irish Data Protection Act 2018, and related data protection laws across all organisational activities;
• Conduct audits to ensure compliance with data protection and AI governance standards, and proactively address potential issues;
• Advise and train staff on data protection obligations and best practices;
• Deliver targeted training sessions across business units for staff involved in data handling, processing, or AI system development and deployment;
• Oversee and provide guidance on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for new projects, systems, and AI deployments;
• Act as the primary point of contact for the Data Protection Commission and for individuals exercising their data rights, including managing data breaches and subject access requests;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for data protection authorities and regulatory bodies overseeing AI governance.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review data protection and AI governance policies and procedures to ensure ongoing organisational compliance and risk management;
• Provide expert advice and educate employees on key data protection and AI governance requirements, including compliance, ethical AI deployment, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain comprehensive records of all data processing and AI-related activities within the organisation.

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

About You - Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• 3 or more years of experience in data protection compliance, AI governance, or a related field;
• Experience in a legal, audit, risk management, or AI governance role;
• Expertise in Irish and European data protection laws and practices (GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018) and familiarity with AI governance frameworks like the EU AI Act;
• Strategic capabilities to design ethical AI frameworks and cross-functional collaboration skills with IT/legal teams are essential;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong attention to detail;
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple compliance and governance initiatives

Desirable Criteria

• A data protection certification (e.g., CIPP/E);
• Certification or formal training in AI governance or ethics (e.g., AIGP);
• Technical proficiency in AI lifecycle management, ability to assess risks like algorithmic bias and data hallucinations, and experience developing AI specific governance policies;
• Experience working with a regulator or in a regulated environment.

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a Permanent basis.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week • Annual Leave: 30 days per annum
• The role will be a hybrid role combining home and office working. Our current hybrid policy is 2 days in the office.
• Our office is located at One Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
• For a full list of benefits see our website here
• This position is graded at the Assistant Principal scale.​
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit:

• A CV (max 2 pages) and a Cover letter/personal statement (max 1 page) outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position
• Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. All positions require candidates to live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Candidates who engage in canvassing will be disqualified and excluded from the process

For queries related to the application or selection process related to this role, please contact cnam@cpl.ie

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during the recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact amckiernan@cnam.ie

Closing Date: Monday 11 August 2025 at 3pm