Privacy Legal Manager / General Counsel 1

Direct Care & Treatment (DCT) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. This position requires an employee to be onsite at 3200 Labore Rd, Ste 104, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota at least 50% of the time, with some opportunity to perform work from a telework location. Telework is available on a limited basis for candidates residing in Minnesota or a state bordering Minnesota (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin) within 50 miles of the work address. Candidates residing in Minnesota and more than 50 miles from the primary work address may be eligible to telework more than 50%.

About the role

This position serves as a Managing Attorney in the Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) General Counsel’s Office, overseeing the Data Privacy Office and leading the agency’s legal strategy for data security, privacy, and governance. As the DCT Privacy Legal Manager, you will provide trusted legal counsel, supervise and mentor a team of privacy professionals, and partner with leaders across the organization to ensure compliance with federal and state laws while supporting the agency’s mission. In this capacity, you will focus on the strategy, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes and procedures that support privacy operations, ensuring efficient workflows, consistency in practice, and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Responsibilities

• Advise DCT on compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including data breach assessment and response, incident management, and regulatory reporting and communications.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on data protection, data sharing, and data management initiatives.
• Provide legal and policy research, analysis, and writing support for DCT, with a primary focus on data security, privacy, and governance.
• Coordinate and oversee privacy legal services within the Data Privacy Office, including support with responding to data incidents, data requests, redactions, and governance functions.
• Using knowledge of substantive law and policy, provide analysis, drafting, and related writing to support DCT legislative objectives on issues related to data privacy.
• Manage the legal hold and litigation hold process to ensure consistency regarding litigation and administrative matters.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school.
• Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota.
• Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney providing legal advice and counsel in one or more areas such as data protection, privacy, administrative law, or other relevant legal fields, including:
  • Interpreting and applying federal and state laws and regulations related to data security, data privacy, public records, and governance (e.g., Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, HIPAA, IRS, Social Security Administration regulations, or similar privacy and confidentiality laws).
  • Advising on data-related legal issues, such as requests for data access or disclosure, and legal implications of data incidents or breaches.
  • Providing incident response such as data breaches, data requests, redactions, and/or privacy incidents.
• At least one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity, which may include managing legal staff, leading legal initiatives, or mentoring attorneys or other professionals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with security and privacy issues in the public sector or similarly regulated environments.
• Legal experience in dispute resolution, such as litigation, administrative hearings, or formal legal proceedings.
• Experience structuring or adapting legal services or legal teams to align with organizational needs and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to apply emotional intelligence, effective leadership, and communication skills in navigating organizational change and working across diverse teams and communities.
• Ability to evaluate operational processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and support implementation of business or legal process enhancements.
• Experience facilitating collaboration and building consensus among groups or individuals with diverse perspectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders, including government entities, advocacy groups, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to remain professional, composed, and collaborative in high-pressure or rapidly evolving situations.
• Experience supporting or advising leadership bodies or governance boards.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, including experience working effectively across cultures and communities.

Additional Requirements

• To facilitate proper crediting, ensure your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
• Reference/background checks will be conducted to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check will be performed prior to appointment.
• Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at the time of interview or copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at the time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable only if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.

About Direct Care and Treatment

DCT operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays each year.
• Annual pay increases.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care, including IVF.
• Diabetes care.
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children.
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years).
• Employer-paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
• Support to help you reach your career goals: training, classes, and professional development.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (some positions may qualify).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including:
  • Mental health support.
  • Relationship challenges (personal and work).
  • Grief and loss.
  • Financial and legal issues.
  • Daily living/convenience services: chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care.

Programs, resources, and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Pay

$51.89 - $74.31 / hourly; $108,346 - $155,159 / annually.

Schedule

• Full-time, unlimited (regular) position.
• Day shift: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
• Days of work: Monday - Friday.
• No travel required.