Shopify's Regulatory and Privacy Legal team is the front line for every regulatory, privacy, and data protection issue that touches the platform. We advise product and engineering teams on how to build things that work for merchants and comply with the law — often in jurisdictions where the law is still being written. We handle regulator inquiries, manage privacy incidents, negotiate with partners on data practices, and build the internal frameworks that make all of it scale. The team sits within Legal and works closely with, well, just about every other team in the company.
About you
You're a lawyer who actually likes the hard parts — the ambiguous product question where GDPR and CCPA point in different directions, the data flow that doesn't map cleanly onto any regulatory framework, the partner negotiation where the data rights in the DPA are hotly contested. You're not looking for a role where you rubber-stamp DPIAs and maintain a privacy policy. You're looking for a role where you shape how a platform used by millions of merchants handles data at scale, and where the regulatory landscape changes faster than you can update your tracker.
You use AI tools reflexively. Not as a novelty — as a baseline for how you work. If you're not already using AI to draft, research, and build, this probably isn't the right fit.
Seeking high-performing team players. This role reports to the Director, Privacy Legal.
What you'll do
Provide privacy counsel on complex product launches, new features, and strategic partnerships — particularly where Shopify is handling merchant and buyer data in new ways.
Partner on managing regulatory relationships and responses for privacy-specific inquiries, including from DPAs and US state enforcement agencies.
Drive cross-functional privacy initiatives that move the program forward — not just maintain it. Build the resources, frameworks, and playbooks that let the privacy function scale with the business.
Advise on data protection aspects of commercial agreements with merchants, vendors, and partners.
Partner with Privacy Engineering and Trust on incident response, data governance, and compliance infrastructure.
Maintain subject matter expertise in evolving global privacy law — GDPR, CCPA and other state laws, UK data protection, EU AI Act privacy implications, and emerging frameworks.
What we're looking for
You communicate complex privacy concepts in plain language. You can explain a cross-border data transfer mechanism to an engineer and a regulator in the same week and neither feels talked down to.
You have strong judgment about risk. This is not a compliance checkbox role. You will make calls under uncertainty and you need to be comfortable with that.
You build trust across teams. Privacy touches everything — product, engineering, legal, trust & safety, finance. You need to be someone people actively seek out, not someone they route around.
You're pragmatic about regulatory risk. You know the difference between "the law requires this" and "a regulator might care about this" and you advise accordingly.
Qualifications
You have a qualifying law degree and license to practice in the US or Canada.
4+ years of relevant legal experience — ideally a mix of law firm, government, and/or in-house.
Experience advising on privacy and data protection matters, including both GDPR and CCPA.
Technical literacy — you need to be able to understand how data flows through systems and why that matters for compliance.
You’ll ramp up faster if you have
Experience engaging with regulators or enforcement agencies on privacy matters.
Experience advising on AI and data governance issues.
Experience building or shipping something using AI tools.
About the discipline
Legal at Shopify
Every discipline at Shopify works close to real merchant problems. You'll join a team that owns meaningful scope, ships to a high bar, and helps millions of entrepreneurs start, run, and scale their businesses.
Growth and rewards
Mastery-matched compensation.
~Mastery
At Shopify, getting better at your craft and increasing your impact is how you grow. Twice a year, we assess both in our ~Mastery cycle, Shopify’s performance review. Achieving higher ~Mastery is a promotion, and when you earn a promotion your total rewards grow with it. Crafter and manager are equal paths, so you can pursue excellence in the craft you’re best at.
Total Rewards
With Flex Comp, your Rewards Wallet gives you agency over your compensation mix. Adjust your mix of cash, restricted share units, and stock options (including programs like Long-Term Equity)* to where it makes sense for you, and mix it up anytime as life and priorities change. Buying a house? Want more skin in the game? Just experimenting? It’s your call.
* Flex Comp program offerings vary based on location, role, and employment type. Full details are set out in our Terms & Conditions and related plan documents.
Built for real life
Room for the rest of your life.
Flexible work, remote by design
A flexible vacation policy means most Shopifolk can take the vacation days they feel they need to recharge.
If a change of everyday scenery is more your jam, Destination 90 means you can work from (almost) anywhere in the world for 90 days of the year.
Your setup
Your battlestation is your home base. Request the desk, chair, and AV gear you need to get shit done.
You need 'em, we’ve got 'em. Our health and welfare benefits may include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance depending on your country. If you’re in a country without a package, you'll receive a monthly allowance. We also offer mental health support for you and your dependents, including immediate and confidential services like counseling and coaching sessions.
Family support
We offer fertility benefits globally, along with paid parental leave to welcome a new family member.
The Life Story is how we understand the themes of your career journey so far, human to human. What you’ve learned, and how you made a difference. Show us the trophies and the bruises: the problems you’ve solved, the challenges you encountered, the decisions you made, and the lessons you learned along the way.
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Associate General Counsel, Privacy employer: Shopify Inc.
At Shopify Inc., we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Solutions Architect, you will benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, collaborative teamwork, and the chance to make a significant impact in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape. Located in a vibrant tech hub, our office offers a stimulating environment where innovation is encouraged, and your contributions are valued.
