Program Manager - Privacy & Data Governance

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Program Manager – Privacy & Data Governance
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC (Hybrid – onsite presence preferred)
Employment Type: Contract (W2 through ZipStaff — No C2C or 1099)
About the Opportunity

ZipStaff is seeking an experienced Program Manager to support privacy, data governance, and certification initiatives for a global technology and networking leader.

This role sits within a Privacy Legal-led team responsible for the organization’s Privacy Program and Certifications. You will lead and coordinate cross-functional workstreams, drive process improvements, and ensure timely delivery of privacy and data governance programs in a hybrid environment (Research Triangle Park, NC).
What You’ll Do:

• Lead and complete large-scale, cross-functional projects supporting privacy, data governance, and related corporate initiatives.
• Manage multiple projects or workstreams with competing priorities and diverse stakeholders (Legal, Privacy, Product, and other corporate functions).
• Develop project plans, establish timelines, track dependencies, identify risks, and drive follow-through to completion.
• Facilitate meetings and working sessions — set clear objectives and agendas, guide discussions, capture decisions and action items, and ensure effective follow-up.
• Communicate project status, risks, and decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, ownership, governance, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain status reports, presentations, process documentation, and other program materials.
• Assist with budgeting and financial status reporting as needed.
• Work independently, exercise sound judgment, and navigate ambiguity effectively.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in project/program management, legal operations, privacy programs, or data governance.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects or workstreams with cross-functional stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to establish timelines, track dependencies, identify risks, and drive follow-through.
• Experience working effectively with Legal, Privacy, Product, or other corporate functions.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings, capture decisions/action items, and drive cross-functional follow-up.
• Experience identifying and implementing process, workflow, and operational improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including status, risk, and decision reporting to mixed audiences.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and navigate ambiguity.
• Experience developing project plans, status reports, presentations, and process documentation.
• Ability to work in a hybrid model with preferred onsite presence in Research Triangle Park, NC.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience supporting a corporate privacy, data governance, compliance, legal operations, or risk management program.
• Experience coordinating initiatives involving multiple Legal, Privacy, Product, or business stakeholders.
• Familiarity with privacy and data protection frameworks and regulations.
• Experience supporting privacy-related regulatory or certification initiatives (including EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework / DPF, Global/Asia-Pacific CBPR systems, and related cross-border data transfer or accountability programs).
• Familiarity with adjacent privacy, security, and assurance frameworks.
• Prior experience in a large enterprise technology environment (Cisco experience is a plus).

About ZipStaff

ZipStaff partners with leading organizations to connect skilled program and technology professionals with high-impact contract opportunities. We focus on quality matches and long-term success.

To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your program management experience in privacy, data governance, legal operations, or related corporate programs.