Data Privacy and Security Counsel (US Federal)

This role will support one or more direct or indirect contracts with the U.S. Federal Government which, due to federal government security requirements, mandates that all Workday personnel working on the contracts be United States citizens (naturalized or native). This role may require a security clearance at the TS/SCI w/CI Poly level. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance. An active TS/SCI w/CI Poly is preferred. Employees may be required to be on site at client locations in the DC, MD, and VA (DMV) area.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead counsel on data privacy and cybersecurity matters, and advise business, product, and engineering teams on compliance obligations across the data lifecycle; Own the legal strategy for achieving and maintaining FedRAMP authorization and partner with security, compliance, and engineering teams throughout the assessment and Authority to Operate (ATO) process; Advise on requirements associated with Department of Defense (DoD) Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) Impact Levels (IL2, IL4, IL5, and IL6), including data segregation, personnel screening, and physical/logical separation requirements; Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, data processing agreements, and government contract vehicles (including FAR/DFARS clauses) that reflect current federal, state, and international privacy and security law; Monitor and interpret emerging legal and regulatory developments in privacy and cybersecurity law, including CMMC, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, FISMA, and state and international privacy statutes, and translate them into practical guidance; Lead incident response efforts for data breaches and security incidents, coordinating with security, communications, and outside counsel to manage legal risk and notification obligations; Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on data governance, risk management, and the legal implications of new products, features, and government contracting opportunities

Requirements

United States citizenship (naturalized or native); Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance; J.D. Degree and active membership in at least one state bar; 8+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, with a substantial focus on data privacy and cybersecurity law; Demonstrated experience advising on or supporting FedRAMP authorization processes (Low, Moderate, or High); Direct experience with Department of Defense Impact Levels (IL2 through IL6) and the DoD Cloud Computing SRG; Strong working knowledge of U.S. federal privacy and security frameworks, including FISMA, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, and CMMC

Nice to have

Active TS/SCI w/CI Poly is preferred; Experience advising cloud service providers or government contractors on compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR/DFARS) related to data security; Familiarity with state, federal, and international privacy laws (e.g., CCPA/CPRA, state privacy statutes, GDPR) and their intersection with government contracting requirements; Experience leading or supporting data breach and security incident response, including regulatory notification analysis; Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills, particularly for data processing agreements, security addenda, and government contract vehicles; Ability to communicate complex legal and technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders; Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple compliance workstreams simultaneously; Active or the ability to obtain a security clearance is a plus

Benefits

Eligibility for Workday Bonus Plan or role-specific commission/bonus; Annual refresh stock grants; Comprehensive benefits; Flexible work approach (spend at least half of time in office/field with remote home office opportunities)