Privacy Operations Manager (12 months FTC)

UNiDAYS, the world’s leading Student Affinity Network, is looking for a hands-on Privacy Operations Manager to join us on a 12-month fixed term contract.  This is a transformation role.  You will act as the architect and builder of the operational engine that powers our global privacy compliance, redesigning and automating workflows across DSARs, vendor onboarding, data mapping (RoPA), regulatory change tracking and AI governance. 

We are looking for a strong operator: a self-starter who takes initiative, is proactively curious about new technology and how to streamline work, and who loves taking clunky, manual processes and wiring them up into scalable, tech-enabled systems.  You’ll partner closely with Engineering, Customer Support, Security, Procurement and Legal to ensure privacy compliance is embedded into how the business runs, and not held together with static documents.  

What We Need From You

• The "Builder" Mindset: A natural systems thinker who enjoys taking manual or fragmented processes and "wiring them up" for automation. More interested in how compliance operates in practice than how it is described in theory.  

• Curiosity and Innovation: A proactive curiosity toward new technologies and a drive to leverage them to continuously streamline and optimise workflows.

• Project Management: Ability to manage a 12-month roadmap with clear priorities, measurable milestones and structured delivery.

• Operational Background: 4+ years of experience in Project Management, Privacy Operations, Privacy Technology, Data Governance, or Systems Management within a high-growth tech environment.

• Qualification: 

  • CIPP/E, CIPP/US, CIPM or equivalent. AIGP is a plus. 

  • Operational knowledge of OneTrust is a plus. 

• Tech Stack Expertise: Strong interest in leveraging Legal AI tools to optimise privacy and AI governance compliance workflows. Hands-on experience configuring privacy software platforms (i.e. OneTrust) is a plus. 

• Workflow Design and Implementation: Demonstrated experience designing and implementing scalable, system enabled workflows across privacy compliance (DSARs, vendor reviews, RoPA, assessments, etc.)

• Cross-Functional Delivery: Proven ability to lead-cross functional initiatives with Engineering and operational teams (Customer Support, Procurement, Security), driving adoption and sustainable change.

• Communication: Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, step-by-step operational guidance for non-expert stakeholders.

• Pragmatism: A low-ego, collaborative approach, focused on finding the most efficient path to compliance without slowing down the business.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Privacy Software Optimisation: Own the optimisation and configuration of our existing privacy compliance software or, where necessary, spearhead the selection and end-to-end implementation of a new platform; ensuring modules for Data Mapping, Assessment Automation, and Consent Management are fully configured and utilised.

• Customer Support & DSARs: Design and implement a streamlined, end-to-end workflow for the Customer Support team to handle Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) and deletion requests, focusing on reducing manual intervention and improving turnaround time.

• Support Transitioning: Act as a focal point for initial privacy support inquiries while designing and implementing the framework to transition these first-line responsibilities to Customer Support.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering and Customer Support teams to ensure that automated privacy flows are technically robust, user-friendly for support agents, and seamlessly integrated into our product ecosystem.

• Security & Vendor Review Integration: Build and institutionalise a friction-less process for privacy and security reviews during vendor onboarding, ensuring that compliance checks are embedded directly into the procurement lifecycle.

• Dynamic RoPA: Lead a business-wide data mapping exercise to build out a comprehensive Record of Processing Activities (RoPA) that is integrated into our systems rather than sitting in static documents.

• Regulatory Intelligence Framework: Streamline the process for tracking and distilling updates in Privacy, AI Governance and Cybersecurity Law. You will build a system to translate these updates into actionable tasks.

• Policy Architecture: Conduct a comprehensive review of overarching privacy policies and establish a "version control" and update trigger system to ensure global notices remain accurate as products evolve.

• AI Playbook Creation: Develop and implement Legal AI Playbooks to standardise and accelerate the review of privacy and security clauses in commercial contracts.

• Leveraging GenAI and Legal AI Software: Take the lead on exploring, testing, and embedding GenAI and Legal AI tools to automate routine risk assessments and documentation tasks.

• Future-Proofing: Ensure all processes, workflows and systems are documented, measurable and handed over with clear training materials so they remain sustainable after the contract period ends.

This is your opportunity to Join the world’s largest student verification network and help shape the future of how brands connect with the next generation. We engage a community of 23M+ verified students and graduates across 115 markets, making us a truly global platform. Our brand is a powerhouse in the UK, and we’re rapidly accelerating our presence worldwide—especially in the US, Germany, India, France, Canada, and Australia.

We partner with 850+ of the world’s biggest brands, bringing their products and services to the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s professionals—driving engagement, building affinity, and delivering real results.

We offer a fast-paced, fun, and social working environment where you can truly make an impact. We believe work should enhance and complement your life, which is why we provide a flexible hybrid working model. While there are expectations to attend the London campus periodically, you and your manager will determine the most appropriate balance together, ensuring both your needs and the needs of the business are met.

We work hard at UNiDAYS, and we believe in fair compensation for that hard work. That’s why we’re proud to offer all employees full access to our comprehensive benefits package.

Our perks include:

• 25 days holiday per year increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays

• Competitive salaries

• 4pm finishes every Friday

• Company pension scheme

• Private health insurance (BUPA)

• Dental Insurance (BUPA)

• Income protection policy

• Life assurance policy

• Employee Assistance Program

• Enhanced parental leave pay

• Regular team building activities

• £150 pounds towards your home office set up

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.