Data Privacy and Security Counsel (US Federal)

Workday; Maryland; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday Government seeks an experienced Senior Counsel to lead data privacy and cybersecurity legal matters across federal contracts. You will drive the FedRAMP authorization program in collaboration with security, compliance, and engineering teams, ensuring compliance with evolving DoD and federal standards.

The role involves advising leadership on governance and risk, negotiating government-friendly terms, and coordinating incident responses with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Must have strong knowledge of privacy and cybersecurity law.
• Experience advising on government contracts and federal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead counsel on data privacy and cybersecurity across the data lifecycle.
• Own legal strategy for FedRAMP authorization and the ATO process with security, compliance and engineering teams.
• Advise on DoD Cloud Computing SRG IL2–IL6 requirements, including data segregation and personnel screening.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, data processing agreements, and government contracts with FAR/DFARS clauses.
• Monitor privacy/cyber law developments and translate them into practical guidance.
• Lead incident response for data breaches and coordinate with security, communications and outside counsel.
• Advise executive leadership on data governance and risk management.

Skills

Data privacy

Cybersecurity

Contract law

FedRAMP

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About The Team

Your work matters here. At Workday Government, we focus on outcomes that serve a larger mission. Our work supports U.S. federal agencies as they modernize and transform the full employee lifecycle experience and finance operations—so they can operate with greater clarity, accountability, and trust. As a Fortune 500 company and a proven enterprise cloud platform, Workday brings modern technology, responsible AI, and secure infrastructure to some of the most complex environments in the world. The work isn’t theoretical. It’s operational. It’s high-impact. And it demands rigor, integrity, and long-term thinking.

From day one, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, follow-through, and doing the right thing—especially when the stakes are high. Our culture is grounded in integrity, respect, and shared responsibility. We challenge each other to think clearly, act thoughtfully, and build solutions that stand up to real-world demands. Here, curiosity is matched with accountability. Ambition is paired with trust. You’ll have the space to do your best work, the support to keep growing, and the backing of a company committed to long‑term investment in both its people and the federal mission.

If you’re looking to apply your experience to meaningful, mission‑driven work—alongside colleagues who take pride in building things that last—you’ll find that opportunity at Workday Government.

About The Role

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 Include

• 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