Legal Counsel - Local Data Protection Officer

Company Description

At SAP, you'll belong to a diverse, international community that learns fast, shares openly, and celebrates impact. You'll have access to global peers, modern tools, and development pathways-so your ideas travel and your career grows.

Job Description

What you'll bring

You have well-developed expertise in legal analysis, regulatory compliance, and risk management. The ability to independently advise business stakeholders on data privacy and AI-related legal matters, and handle local Data Protection Authority requests, is what defines readiness at this level. You bring strong communication skills, a collaborative approach, and the creative thinking and learning agility to adapt as the role evolves.

• Well-developed knowledge of data protection laws and best practices, with expertise in Indian and European privacy regulations including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Experience independently advising business stakeholders on data privacy legal matters, handling Data Protection Authority requests, and managing compliance obligations.
• Strong project management skills — you manage complex workstreams across a global, multi-stakeholder environment with precision and independence.
• A practical, open approach to AI — you govern AI-related legal risks, assess output quality, and use AI tools to enhance legal workflows and continuously improve how you work.
• A degree in law, or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in English is required for this role.

What you'll build

You'll serve as SAP's named data protection practitioner for India — proactively advising business stakeholders on data privacy and AI-related legal matters and driving compliance with applicable laws for your assigned scope.

• Monitor local data privacy and AI-related legal developments, provide proactive advice to business stakeholders, and draft local guidance and legal documents.
• Independently manage Data Privacy Impact Assessments and Data Subject rights processes for your assigned scope.
• Support the local Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in fulfilling data protection obligations — including regulatory monitoring, gap analysis, and local implementation projects.
• Represent SAP's Group Data Protection Officer (DPO) within Indian entities and act as the primary contact for local supervisory authorities.
• Harmonise documentation, processes, and the overall data protection approach for India in close coordination with the Data Privacy and Protection (DPP) team.
• Mentor junior colleagues and deliver training to raise management awareness of data protection compliance obligations across the region.

Where you belong

You'll be the named legal practitioner for the business areas and matters you support. The quality of your advice, the rigour of your documentation, and managing risks directly protect SAP's interests and enable business to move forward with confidence. You'll be part of SAP's global Data Protection and Privacy network, working alongside local DPPCs across the world and reporting to the Group Data Protection Officer. If you are ready for independent legal ownership and accountability for compliance and risk outcomes, this is the right role. This role is based at SAP India Pvt. Ltd

#SAPInternalT2

Qualifications

Additional Information

About SAP
With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improves people’s lives.
As a leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience.

We win with inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone, regardless of background, feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or complete your application, please send an email with your request to the Recruiting Operations Team: Careers@sap.com.

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process. Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.