At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead privacy operations and automate compliance workflows in a dynamic tech environment.
- Company: Join UNiDAYS, the leading Student Affinity Network shaping brand connections with students.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and fun team activities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global privacy compliance while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in privacy operations or project management; CIPP/E or equivalent preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
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.
Job Requirements
- The "Builder" Mindset: A natural systems thinker who enjoys taking manual or fragmented processes and "wiring them up" for automation.
- 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.
- 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.
Job 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.
Job Benefits
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.
Privacy Operations Manager (12 months FTC) employer: UNiDAYS
At UNiDAYS, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that champions a flexible hybrid working model, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life effectively. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, providing ample opportunities for employee growth and development within a global network that connects over 23 million students. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, joining our team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your contributions and supports your career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Privacy Operations Manager (12 months FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their privacy operations and think about how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Tailor your responses to show you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience and demonstrate your 'builder' mindset effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at UNiDAYS.
We think you need these skills to ace Privacy Operations Manager (12 months FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Builder Mindset:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with transforming processes. We want to see how you've taken clunky systems and made them more efficient. Share specific examples that showcase your knack for automation and innovation!
Be Curious and Proactive:We love a candidate who’s curious about new tech! In your application, mention any tools or technologies you’ve explored that could streamline privacy operations. Show us your enthusiasm for continuous improvement and how you keep up with industry trends.
Project Management Skills Matter:Since this role involves managing a 12-month roadmap, it’s crucial to demonstrate your project management skills. Outline your experience in setting priorities, meeting milestones, and delivering structured results. We want to know how you keep everything on track!
Communicate Clearly:Your ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into simple terms is key. In your written application, focus on how you can communicate effectively with non-experts. Use clear language and examples to show us you can bridge the gap between compliance and everyday operations.
How to prepare for a job interview at UNiDAYS
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Privacy Operations Manager role. Familiarise yourself with key responsibilities like DSARs, vendor onboarding, and data mapping. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Builder Mindset
During the interview, highlight your ability to take manual processes and automate them. Share specific examples of how you've redesigned workflows in previous roles, especially in privacy compliance or project management. This will demonstrate that you have the 'builder' mindset they’re looking for.
✨Be Proactive and Curious
UNiDAYS values a proactive approach, so come prepared with questions about their current systems and any new technologies they might be exploring. Show your curiosity about how you can leverage tech to streamline operations, which will resonate well with their innovative culture.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since the role involves translating complex regulatory requirements into clear guidance, practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with non-expert stakeholders to ensure everyone was on the same page.