Vice President / Senior Director of Policy and Consulting

The Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is a leading global privacy and data policy think and do tank working at the intersection of law, policy and technology, with a membership comprising more than 85 multinational companies across a broad range of industry sectors. Since being founded in 2001, we have served as a trusted partner of business leaders, regulators and policymakers developing best practices, thought leadership and solutions for privacy, data and digital policy, law, and compliance. CIPL:

• INFORMS via publications, member events and public fora;
• CONNECTS global industry and government leaders;
• SHAPES the future of data policy and strategy; and
• CREATES innovative solutions and elevates best practices.
  
  

CIPL’s leadership and staff are globally recognized data privacy thought leaders. They include former senior public and private sector professionals with extensive global and national experience in developing, interpreting, implementing, and enforcing laws, policies, and corporate privacy programs relevant to the data economy.

CIPL is looking for a Vice President / Senior Director of Policy and Consulting to join our team in our Washington, DC office. This role reports to CIPL’s President.

About the Role:

Vice President / Senior Director of Policy and Consulting is a leadership role either at the Vice President or Senior Director level, working closely with CIPL’s President and CIPL’s leadership team. The primary purpose of the role is to advance CIPL’s policy priorities, projects and initiatives globally in relation to a broad range of digital regulation, laws and implementation, related to privacy, data, AI, emerging tech, as well as internal organizational governance and best practices. The role will work with CIPL’s international team of privacy and data experts who are based in CIPL’s offices in Washington DC, London and Brussels.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Identify and lead targeted research projects relating to CIPL’s current and new workstreams and projects, as well as drafting and overseeing the implementation of key CIPL thought leadership and deliverables such as memoranda, reports and other written materials reflecting the findings of such research.
• Identify and lead consulting work for specific public and private sector entities (including CIPL member organizations) that relate to CIPL’s global privacy, data and tech policy work and expertise.
• Help define CIPL’s strategy, objectives, areas of growth and expansion in broader areas of data and digital policy, and support CIPL’s President in executing that strategy.
• Maintain and deepen CIPL’s position as a leading global policy and best practices thought leader and represent CIPL with internal and external stakeholders.
• Grow CIPL’s membership, funding models and more varied service offerings, including consulting opportunities and strategic consulting projects.
• Deepen relationships and partnerships with members, senior business leaders and technologists, and key external stakeholders in governments, the regulatory community, international organizations, academia and complementary think tanks.
• Oversee and work closely with CIPL’s leadership team and team members to develop strategies and implement project plans that relate to or depend upon ongoing research and consulting work to advance CIPL’s global policy agenda on a wide range of privacy, data, and tech policy issues. This includes the following topics:
• Proposed legislation, simplification and rule-making;
• Cross-border data flows;
• Digital sovereignty and data localization;
• Accountability-based information management, privacy, AI governance;
• Regional developments (e.g., Europe, US (state and federal), Canada, Latin America, India, and Asia-Pacific);
• The role of corporate data protection or privacy officers and other relevant organizational data and AI governance officers;
• Privacy, data and AI risk assessment and management; transparency and user control;
• Privacy preserving technologies (PPTs);
• Accountable AI governance and best practices;
• Children’s data, privacy and safety
• Cloud computing;
• Data sharing between and among private sector organizations and public sector organizations;
• Effective and smart regulatory strategy and oversight.
• Develop and promote specific policy positions by working with CIPL’s leadership team and CIPL member companies.
• Oversee development of agendas and content for CIPL and non-CIPL events and speaking/representing CIPL at these events.
• Management responsibilities, to oversee and develop team members, skillsets, organizational structure to drive efficiencies and growth.  

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• D. or Master’s degree in Public Policy or a related field required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience shaping innovation policy, regulatory strategy, and public impact across government, international institutions, and key sectors of the global economy.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in regulatory agencies, government, think tanks, or similar organizations, particularly with expertise in regulatory risk, technology and innovation, and strategic leadership.
• Deep knowledge of global privacy, security, and data laws and policies, including regulation of AI and emerging technologies
• Strong understanding of global legislative, regulatory, and policy environments related to privacy, data, AI, and broader digital issues. Established network and track record of collaboration with stakeholders across business, academia, government, and regulatory bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research on emerging data, privacy, AI, and technology policy issues, including legal developments and organizational best practices.
• Experience producing high-quality deliverables such as consulting proposals, white papers, and public consultation responses.
• Strong understanding of data-driven innovation, technology trends, and/or foundational computer science concepts.
• Proven track record of building, leading, and developing high-performing teams to drive growth and achieve strategic objectives.
• Exceptional writing, analytical, and public speaking skills, with the ability to distill complex concepts into clear, persuasive messaging.
• Excellent business judgment and understanding of the global corporate environment, including practical experience in data protection compliance and implementing privacy, data governance, and/or AI management programs.

Additional Interests, Experience or Qualifications:

• Understanding of technology trends, computer science and/or data analytics.
• Competition law, intellectual property law, and/or regulatory compliance. Knowledge of additional languages is a plus.

Other Qualifications: 

Availability and willingness to work hours as needed to meet critical deadlines. Strong commitment to client service excellence and teamwork. Must possess the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. Must act as catalyst for change, drive and results. Creative and innovative. Willingness to work across time zones and across cultures. Frequent travel may be required. Excellent communication skills (oral, written and listening) and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse group of professionals. Sound judgment and flexibility. Ability to work well under pressure, patience, diplomacy, high stress tolerance, excellent interpersonal communication skills, ability to prioritize workload and adapt to changing conditions. Moderate to frequent travel may be required. Visual acuity needed to process and read extensive written communications. Ability to receive and convey detailed information through oral communication. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications. Essential competency processes include language ability, reasoning and memory. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent must possess the abilities or aptitudes to proficiently perform each of the responsibilities and accountabilities described above, with or without reasonable accommodation.