Senior Privacy Counsel

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.

Summary of Job:

The Senior Privacy Counsel will sit within 2U’s dynamic legal team and will work hand-in-hand with the business units across our company.  They will report directly to our Chief Privacy Officer and will have a key leadership role in supporting 2U’s global privacy program. The Senior Privacy Counsel will be responsible for defining, maintaining, and evaluating compliance with 2U’s privacy program and reporting and strategizing with executive leadership on initiatives of utmost importance to the company’s business strategy. They will have a background in consumer protection, compliance, and risk management. They will be responsible for establishing privacy compliance requirements that satisfy state, federal, and global privacy regulations, and for leading complex and critical projects related to the collection, processing, and retention of personal data. They will work closely with technology and business stakeholders to create and maintain appropriate business records reflecting the products that support 2U’s privacy and data use infrastructure and serve as a resource on privacy, data protection, data flows, and related legal issues. They will direct and coordinate activities necessary to complete major cross-functional projects to ensure compliance with data protection laws. 

Key Role and Responsibilities: 

• Legal subject matter expert on privacy / Providing legal advice and guidance to cross-functional business units across diverse subject areas, including privacy, consumer protection, and data security 
• Privacy controls and protections / Developing privacy safeguards, standards and best practices for critical projects related to the collection, processing, and retention of personal data 
• Data protection compliance / Managing data subject access requests, updating privacy notices and ensuring compliance with other consumer-facing data protection requirements 
• Risk assessments / Conducting privacy risk assessments to identify and mitigate privacy risks 
• Training and education / Creating and leading internal privacy trainings with stakeholders across the company 
• Incident response / Handling privacy incident response, including risk mitigation and required legal analysis, for time-sensitive matters
• Privacy contractual provisions / Drafting and negotiating data processing and data usage agreements, including interfacing with University partners or vendors, where necessary. 
• Privacy documentation / Partnering with technology and business stakeholders to create and maintain artifacts documenting 2U’s privacy and data use infrastructure 

Education and Experience:

• 5-7 years of legal experience, with a focus on privacy / data protection  
• J.D. and active membership and good standing in at least one State Bar
• CIPP / US certification preferred
• Strong academic credentials

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate legal requirements into practical guidance for non-lawyers
• Co-operative, team-oriented
• In-house experience preferred

The successful candidate will:

• Be collaborative, inquisitive, and enthusiastic about technology and data;
• Demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision and tackle complex legal issues that arise without advance notice
• Be self-motivated to execute and ready to drive success working with cross-functional stakeholders
• Provide legal advice pertaining to data protection laws and regulations and consumer protection laws
• Maintain knowledge of U.S., European, and other pertinent privacy and data security laws, regulations, and standards, including the GDPR, CCPA, FTC Act, FERPA and other applicable state and federal privacy, data security and consumer protection privacy laws and regulationsBe responsible for alignment to established privacy frameworks (e.g., NIST)
• Effective at educating others about and implementing robust privacy controls
• Develop guidelines, training, and tools to support accountability and compliance across the organization
• Be interested in working for a mission-driven company that powers educational opportunities for students around the world. 

Working Conditions 

Some travel required, including internationally

Physical Requirements

N/A

Management Responsibilities

No Direct Reports.  Works closely with privacy team based in Cape Town and US and 2U compliance/consumer protection function.

While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Arlington, VA two days a week.

Benefits & Culture

Our global employee base is a diverse collection of innovators, dreamers, and doers working together to transform lives through higher education. We believe that every employee can advance our shared purpose, and that life at 2U should be fun and meaningful. If you’re excited by the opportunity to provide over 40 million learners and counting with access to world-class online higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. #NoBackRow

We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S.benefits include: 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Free snacks and drinks in-office
• Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO
• Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break

The anticipated base salary range for this role is ($230,000 - $250,000), with potential bonus eligibility.  Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.

2U Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At 2U, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken to bring together an employee base that embodies diverse walks of life, ideas, genders, ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and other unique qualities. We strive to offer a workplace where every employee feels empowered by what makes us different, as well as by how we are alike. 

2U is committed to providing reasonable accommodations during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com. 

About 2U LLC

For more than a decade, 2U, Inc. has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.

About edX

edX is the education movement for restless learners and a leading global online learning platform from 2U, LLC. Together with the majority of the world’s top-ranked universities and industry-leading companies, we bring our community of over 45 million learners world-class education to support them at every stage of their lives and careers, from free courses to full degrees. And we're not stopping there — we're relentlessly pursuing our vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Learn more at edX.org.

Learn more at https://2u.com/careers/
#NoBackRow

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

2U is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 2U’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits and pay.