Privacy Specialist Lead

Imagineeer•Arlington, VA

8d•$130,000 - $140,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Privacy Specialist Lead to direct and oversee privacy program implementation and compliance initiatives for our federal government clients. The ideal candidate will bring deep privacy expertise and proven leadership experience to guide strategic privacy initiatives and lead privacy teams. This leadership role is critical in ensuring privacy compliance while enabling mission success. The Privacy Specialist Lead will work closely with executive stakeholders to develop, implement, and sustain privacy programs that protect sensitive government data through innovative solutions and best practices. This position offers the opportunity to shape the organization's privacy strategy and contribute meaningfully to safeguarding sensitive information for federal clients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Privacy, Information Security, Law, Public Policy, Information Technology , or a related field.
8+ years of experience in privacy, data protection, or a related field.
5+ years of leadership experience in privacy program management or similar roles.
Current advanced privacy certifications, such as CIPM, CIPP/G, or equivalent .
Demonstrated experience working with federal privacy programs and understanding of government privacy compliance requirements.
Advanced knowledge of U.S. federal privacy laws , regulations, and frameworks, including the Privacy Act, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, OMB A-130 , and NIST Privacy Framework .
Proven expertise in strategic privacy program development, implementation, and governance .
Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
Proficiency in risk assessment, risk management , and mitigation strategies.
Ability to influence, lead, and drive organizational change related to privacy and compliance.
Deep understanding of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and emerging privacy methodologies.
Strong leadership, team-building, and mentorship capabilities.
Policy development expertise, including authoring and reviewing privacy-related policies, standards, and procedures.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills applied to privacy compliance and risk.
Hands-on experience with compliance program development , monitoring, and audit support.
Expertise in change management related to privacy transformation initiatives.
Must be a U.S. Citizen capable of obtaining a Public Trust clearance .

Nice To Haves

Law degree (JD) or other advanced degrees in related fields such as Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or Public Policy .
Multiple privacy certifications ( CIPT, FIP, CDPSE, CISSP , etc.).
Direct experience working with federal agencies or within classified environments .
Expertise in emerging technologies , including AI, machine learning, blockchain, and their privacy implications.
Hands-on experience with privacy automation tools and technologies.
Knowledge of international privacy frameworks and cross-border data privacy issues.
Experience with privacy architecture , including data flows, data minimization strategies, and privacy engineering.
Track record of published privacy research , white papers, or conference presentations.
Strong public speaking skills for executive briefings, stakeholder engagements, and training.
Experience with vendor management , particularly related to privacy tools, SaaS providers, and data processors.
Expertise in developing privacy metrics , dashboards, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to demonstrate program success.
Demonstrated innovation leadership in advancing privacy solutions and organizational privacy maturity.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and management of enterprise-wide privacy programs for federal clients.
Oversee the execution of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) , System of Records Notices (SORNs) , and other compliance-driven activities.
Develop comprehensive privacy strategies aligned with agency mission objectives and risk tolerance.
Manage privacy incident response and breach notification processes , ensuring rapid and effective response.
Serve as the primary point of contact for privacy matters with internal and external stakeholders, including agency leadership and regulatory bodies.
Lead the design and delivery of privacy awareness training and educational initiatives for staff and stakeholders.
Oversee ongoing privacy compliance efforts , ensuring adherence to federal privacy requirements such as the Privacy Act of 1974 , OMB A-130 , NIST Privacy Framework , and other relevant regulations.
Direct day-to-day activities of the privacy team, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance oversight.
Lead privacy risk management , including risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies.
Oversee privacy audits, assessments, and continuous monitoring efforts to validate program effectiveness.
Lead the development and implementation of privacy governance frameworks , including policies, procedures, and standards.
Develop and maintain privacy metrics, dashboards, and reporting to communicate program performance and risks to executive leadership.
Guide the selection, deployment, and management of privacy technologies , tools, and automation solutions.