Privacy Officer – Information Technology
Hillfield Strathallan College | Hamilton, Ontario | On-Site
Position Overview
Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) is seeking a Privacy Officer – Information Technology to champion privacy, data governance, and responsible technology practices within our collaborative IT team. Reporting to the Director of Technology Integration & Innovation, this is a hands-on technical role embedded within the IT department, not a purely legal or policy position.
Our IT team is small, solutions-focused, and highly collaborative. You will translate privacy requirements into practical technical operations while supporting broader IT initiatives, system planning, and vendor reviews to serve our students, faculty, and staff. This role is ideal for a professional who enjoys a people-focused environment and can serve as a bridge between privacy compliance and educational innovation by evaluating classroom technologies and administrative tools to ensure data protection; proactively find solutions that balance the rigour of PIPEDA/PHIPA with the functional, day-to-day needs of a PreK–12 school community.
Key Responsibilities
Privacy & Data Protection
- Support the development and daily operation of the College’s privacy program.
- Maintain Records of Processing Activities (ROPAs) and conduct Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) for new systems.
- Perform vendor privacy reviews and collaborate with IT colleagues on security considerations.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with PIPEDA, PHIPA, and other relevant legislation.
- Facilitate privacy awareness initiatives and guide the campus community.
AI Governance & Emerging Technologies
- Lead the responsible evaluation and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for teaching and operations.
- Develop AI governance practices that prioritize student data privacy, transparency, and ethical use.
- Partner with faculty to assess AI-enabled tools for privacy, security, and student safety risks.
- Promote digital literacy by communicating responsible AI practices to faculty, staff, parents and students.
Digital Governance & IT Collaboration
- Contribute to data governance, lifecycle management, and system integration projects.
- Collaborate with various leadership teams to ensure the governance of institutional data.
- Work with the IT team to mitigate risks and participate in technology evaluations.
- Assist in responding to privacy incidents, documenting breaches, and improving security practices.
- Act as a full member of the IT department as well as the AI Committee, assisting with general projects and operational tasks as needed.
Qualifications
Required:
- Education: Degree or diploma in IT, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Legislation: Strong knowledge of Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA, PHIPA).
- Technical Privacy: Experience with PIAs, ROPAs, vendor reviews, or data governance.
- Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within a technical team.
- Interpersonal Excellence: A service-oriented mindset characterized by empathy, patience, and the ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty and staff.
Preferred:
- Certification: CIPP/C designation (or willingness to obtain it shortly after hire).
- Experience: Background in education, healthcare, or other regulated environments.
- Technical Skills: Basic knowledge of cybersecurity principles and IT infrastructure.
- Communication: Ability to explain complex privacy or technical concepts to non-technical audiences (faculty, parents and students).
Work Environment & Application
- Location: This position requires a daily on-site presence in Hamilton, Ontario; remote work is not available.
- Interviews: All interviews will be conducted in person.
- Deadline: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026.
HSC is committed to inclusion across gender, age, religion, and identity. We encourage applicants who help diversify our community. Accommodations are available upon request.