About the role
Thomson Reuters is seeking a high-caliber Senior Legal Counsel & Privacy Operations Lead to join the General Counsel’s Office. Reporting directly to the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), this role serves as both the technical operations leader and a trusted Chief of Staff to the CPO. You will blend deep legal and regulatory expertise with hands-on technical privacy operations, while providing strategic governance, operational cadence, and administrative oversight across Thomson Reuters’ global privacy program.
About the Role
In this opportunity as a Privacy Operations Lead / Senior Counsel, you will lead:
Chief of Staff & Strategic Program Oversight
Act as the CPO’s right-hand strategic partner and advisor, driving the execution of high-priority strategic initiatives across the global privacy office.
Provide overarching administrative governance, including tracking program budgets, vendor management, resource allocation, and team operating rhythms.
Prepare executive-level briefings, Board of Directors presentations, and cross-functional reporting on privacy program maturity, risks, and compliance posture.
Lead cross-functional alignment between the CPO’s office, General Counsel, Information Security (CISO), Product, and business unit leaders.
Privacy Program Management
Drive end-to-end program governance, operational roadmap planning, and scalable execution for Thomson Reuters’ global privacy program.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of Thomson Reuters’ global privacy program
Implement privacy policies, procedures, and operational frameworks
Conduct or facilitate the conduct of risk assessments, including privacy impact assessments (PIAs), data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), and transfer impact assessments (TIAs)
Coordinate responses to data subject access requests (DSARs) and ensure timely resolution
Track and report on privacy program metrics and KPIs
Privacy Compliance & Risk Management
Track and report changes in new/existing privacy regulations and monitor compliance with key regulations including GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA, among others
Build out and maintain data inventory, and data mapping automation initiatives Identify privacy risks and work with stakeholders to implement mitigation strategies
Support privacy incident response and breach notification processes
Conduct privacy audits and assessments of internal processes and third-party vendors
Cyber Incident Management
Support the day-to-day operational execution of the cyber incident response program, including intake, triage, and escalation of security incidents with privacy implications
Support cross-functional co-ordination with Information Security, IT, Legal, and Business teams during active incidents to ensure timely containment, remediation, and communication
Support legal assessment of incidents to determine breach notification obligations under applicable privacy and data protection regulations, and drive timely notification to affected individuals and regulators
Maintain and continuously improve incident response playbooks, runbooks, and operational procedures for cyber incidents
Privacy-by-Design and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Legal, Information Security, IT, Product, and Business teams to integrate and operationalize privacy-by-design principles and guidance into the product development cycle.
Serve as a privacy subject matter expert and advisor to business units
Facilitate privacy training and awareness programs for employees
Work with vendors and partners to ensure contractual privacy obligations are met
Identify current sub-processor's and updating contractual documentation to reflect current state
Documentation & Reporting
Maintain records of processing activities (ROPA) and privacy documentation
Prepare and maintain privacy metrics, dashboards and reports for leadership and relevant stakeholders
Document privacy procedures and create operational playbooks
Support regulatory inquiries and audits
Team Leadership & Management
Provide strategic direction, mentorship, and operational management to privacy operations specialists, privacy engineers and cross-functional privacy champions.
Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular one-on-ones, and provide ongoing coaching to support individual growth and career development.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, IT, Security, and Business teams to align privacy operations priorities, resolve escalations, and ensure the team has the resources and guidance needed to execute effectively.
Drive team efficiency by establishing standardized workflows, refining processes, and implementing best practices that scale with the organization’s evolving privacy landscape.
About You
You’re a fit for the role of Privacy Operations Lead / Senior Counsel if your background includes:
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in law, Information Systems, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related legal or technical field Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Master’s degree in legal studies
8-10+ years of combined experience in privacy law, technical privacy operations, and program management, preferably in a SaaS environment
4-6+ years leading technical/legal teams, driving program strategy, and serving in an executive advisory or Chief of Staff capacity
Relevant privacy and/or cybersecurity certification, such as IAPP’s Certified Information Privacy Professional credential (CIPM, CIPPT), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Experience with privacy risk assessments from a technical perspective.
Subject matter expertise in privacy tech stacks (OneTrust, PETs, automated data mapping) paired with the ability to translate technical architecture into actionable legal guidance.
Strong knowledge of global privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA, etc.)
Ability to interpret legal and regulatory requirements into system-level controls.
Experience in advising product and technology teams on privacy obligations relating to the processing of sensitive data, including implementing privacy by design requirements.
Knowledge of data classification, retention, and lifecycle management.
Experience managing privacy operations in a large, complex organization.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Excellent communication skills with ability to explain complex privacy concepts to non-technical audiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities Experience with privacy management tools and technologies.
Preferred:
Experience with automation tools (e.g., PowerBI, PowerAutomate) and AI/ML frameworks for compliance.
Experience with data governance tools, SIEM systems, and privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs).
Proficiency in scripting and automation for compliance tasks/privacy automation tools and technologies.
Knowledge of information security frameworks and practices.
Project management certification or experience.
Experience operating within a dual legal/technical capability at an enterprise software or data provider.
Proven track record supporting a General Counsel or Chief Privacy Officer with strategic planning, budget management, and executive communications.
Skills & Competencies
Strategic thinking with operational execution capabilities
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across global teams
Adaptability to changing regulatory landscapes
Cultural sensitivity for working in a global environment
Technical aptitude for understanding data flows and systems
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What’s in it For You?
Hybrid Work Model:
We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid working environment (2-3 days a week in the office depending on the role) for our office-based roles while delivering a seamless experience that is digitally and physically connected.
Flexibility & Work-Life Balance:
Flex My Way is a set of supportive workplace policies designed to help manage personal and professional responsibilities, whether caring for family, giving back to the com