Principal Corporate Counsel: Data Governance & Regulatory

Cisco•Research Triangle Park, NC

4d•$192,300 - $243,900•Hybrid

About The Position

Cisco’s Privacy and Data Regulatory Legal team advises on and enables the company’s global privacy and data governance compliance strategy. The team works with product, engineering, security, public policy, and business leaders to provide practical, risk-based legal guidance across privacy, data, AI, cross-border data transfers, cybersecurity, digital platform regulation, and emerging technology laws. This role advises the business on executing data governance, data risk management, and regulatory readiness, translating complex legal and technical requirements into actionable business guidance. The Principal Corporate Counsel owns the interpretation of domestic and international laws concerning privacy, data protection, and AI governance; advises on enterprise data governance frameworks, standards, and controls; and establishes legal standards for data initiatives. The role partners across the company to operationalize governance requirements, guide strategic data use, develop policies and training, and lead responses to regulatory matters. The position follows a hybrid model at select Legal organization locations, generally requiring two days in the office each week, with limited exceptions. RTP is highly preferred.

Requirements

Juris Doctor and active bar membership.
At least 8 years of legal experience.
Deep expertise in privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, or technology transactions.
Experience with global privacy and data laws, including GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and emerging AI regulations.
Experience in a large technology company, cloud company, telecom, SaaS, or cybersecurity business.
Experience leading cross-functional, enterprise-wide governance programs in a multinational technology company.
Familiarity with data and AI governance and responsible data use programs.
High emotional intelligence, exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, and openness to others’ ideas and opinions.
Ability to explain complex legal and technical concepts, such as AI models and data flows, to stakeholders unfamiliar with the topics, including engineering and business teams.
Excellent business judgment, critical thinking, and analytical capabilities.
Ability to take a pragmatic, risk-based approach to decisions and solutions in a changing regulatory landscape.
Drive and passion for continuous learning and skill development, particularly regarding emerging technologies.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in privacy or AI, such as IAPP CIPP/US, AIG, or CIPE.
RTP location is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Interpret domestic and international laws and regulations concerning privacy, data protection, and AI governance, and provide specialized, actionable advice.
Advise on enterprise data governance frameworks, standards, and controls, including data classification, data lineage, and information lifecycle governance.
Counsel stakeholders on data classification, inventories, stewardship, minimization, records retention, defensible deletion, and data access governance.
Establish legal standards for data sourcing, use, sharing, aggregation, deidentification, anonymization, and synthetic data initiatives.
Define governance requirements for critical data stewardship and accountability structures across the company.
Review and draft Data Processing Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, AI-related contractual provisions, and privacy and security terms.
Partner with product, engineering, security, and compliance teams to operationalize governance requirements.
Develop guidelines and criteria for assessing legal risks associated with new data uses involving analytics, AI, agents, and machine learning.
Advise leadership on data-related risks, opportunities, and strategic data utilization initiatives.
Develop data policies, training, and governance guidance.
Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, and investigations, and support litigation readiness.
Work with Government Affairs to influence data legislation, standards, and frameworks.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) plan with Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Paid holidays
Floating holiday for non-exempt employees
Paid birthday day off
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
Personal wellness days
Paid vacation or flexible vacation time off, depending on employee classification
Paid sick time
Additional paid time away may be requested for critical or emergency family issues
Optional paid volunteer days
Annual bonuses for eligible non-sales employees
Potential grants of Cisco restricted stock units, subject to eligibility and plan terms