Assistant General Counsel, Data Privacy & AI | Reston, VA

About Ellucian

Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian's AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrollment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian's innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

About the Opportunity

Ellucian is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and business-oriented Assistant General Counsel, Data Privacy & AI to join our Legal team. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Compliance, this role serves as the company's lead legal advisor on global privacy, data protection, AI governance, and data ethics, partnering with Product, Engineering, Information Security, IT, HR, and executive leadership to enable innovation while managing legal and regulatory risk.

The successful candidate will lead Ellucian's global privacy legal strategy, help shape its AI governance framework, and provide practical legal guidance on privacy, cybersecurity, AI-enabled technologies, cross-border data transfers, and emerging regulations. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence enterprise strategy and help position Ellucian as a trusted leader in responsible technology innovation.

Where you will make an impact

Privacy & Data Protection

• Serve as Ellucian's lead legal advisor on global privacy, data protection, and cross-border data transfers, providing practical guidance on privacy-by-design, customer commitments, and compliance with evolving global regulations.
• Monitor emerging privacy laws and translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance that enables the business to innovate responsibly.
• Advise business stakeholders on privacy-by-design principles throughout the product lifecycle.

AI Governance & Emerging Technology

• Lead legal support for Ellucian's AI governance program, advising on AI, generative AI, machine learning, and other emerging technologies.
• Shape governance frameworks and counsel business leaders on responsible AI practices, including transparency, intellectual property, bias, accountability, and evolving regulatory requirements.
• Counsel stakeholders regarding AI transparency, accountability, intellectual property, bias, explainability, and responsible AI deployment.
• Monitor evolving AI legislation, including the EU AI Act and other global regulatory developments, and develop practical guidance for business leaders.

Cybersecurity, Data Governance & Risk Management

• Advise on cybersecurity, incident response, data governance, and legal obligations related to personal and sensitive information, partnering closely with Information Security and IT.
• Assess legal risks associated with new products, technologies, and strategic initiatives while developing policies and guidance that strengthen enterprise compliance.
• Support enterprise data governance initiatives involving data ownership, data classification, retention, and responsible data use.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Partner with Product, Engineering, Information Security, IT, HR, Sales, Procurement, and executive leadership to enable innovation while managing legal and regulatory risk.
• Advise on technology transactions, AI-enabled products, customer commitments, vendor relationships, and other strategic business initiatives.
• Support strategic transactions involving privacy, data sharing, technology licensing, AI-enabled products, and vendor relationships.

Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead the continued evolution of Ellucian's global privacy legal program and AI governance framework, ensuring scalable and effective governance.
• Develop scalable legal processes, manage outside counsel, and contribute to Legal team initiatives that drive operational excellence.

What you will bring

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 10+ years of legal experience with expertise in privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, technology, or regulatory law.
• Strong knowledge of global privacy regulations, including GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, FERPA, and other international privacy frameworks.
• Experience advising SaaS, cloud, software, or technology companies on privacy, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI-related legal matters.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, emerging technology regulation, cybersecurity, and data governance principles, including the EU AI Act.
• Proven ability to partner with cross-functional business and technical leaders while exercising excellent judgement to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance.

Extra credit

• Significant in-house legal experience supporting a global SaaS, cloud, software, or technology company.
• Experience building scalable; enterprise-wide privacy compliance, AI governance & Data governance programs and processes.
• CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, or other IAPP certification.
• Experience supporting global operations and cross-border privacy matters.
• Familiarity with higher education technology or highly regulated technology environments

What makes #Ellucianlife

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Flexible time off
• Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
• 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
• Parental Leave
• 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
• Telemedicine
• Wellness
  • Headspace Care (mental health)
  • Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
• RethinkCare & Wellthy– caregiver support
• Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
• Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
• We Foster a learning culture with:
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Professional development opportunities
  • LinkedIn Learning