Project Manager IT (Data Privacy)

About the role

The Senior Project Manager (PM) is responsible for leading and delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives to ensure organizational compliance with data privacy and other regulatory and internal policies. This role partners closely with Legal, Compliance, IT, Security, and business stakeholders to implement privacy programs, manage regulatory requirements, and drive enterprise-wide privacy initiatives. The Senior PM ensures projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with strategic objectives while promoting a culture of privacy-by-design.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale compliance initiatives (e.g. CCPA, CPRA, AADC, ADA, etc.)
• Manage cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of projects
• Drive implementation of privacy controls, frameworks, and processes across the organization
• Ensure adherence to privacy regulations, internal policies, and industry standards
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and schedules
• Track progress, manage risks, and proactively resolve issues and dependencies
• Manage project budgets, including cost planning, tracking, and forecasting to ensure initiatives are delivered within financial targets
• Analyze budget variances and provide financial forecasts and recommendations to leadership
• Create clear, concise status reports, dashboards, and executive presentations to communicate project progress, risks, milestones, and outcomes to stakeholders and leadership
• Build strong relationships with executive leadership, Legal, Compliance, IT, and business stakeholders
• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes effectively to all levels of the organization
• Drive coordination across multiple workstreams
• Identify and assess privacy and project risks
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans
• Ensure audit readiness and support internal/external compliance assessments
• Review, refine, and validate complex business requirements and combine into a clear and prioritized backlog
• Identify process improvement opportunities and drive efficiency across privacy initiatives
• Establish and standardize project management and privacy program best practices
• Manage Release and post launch activities end to end. Supporting Production Systems as needed.
• Ensure successful rollout and sustainability of implemented privacy solutions

Requirements

• IS related bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent work experience
• 7-10+ years of IT work experience
• Proven experience leading requirements gathering and documentation for complex projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Strong understanding of SDLC methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)
• Strong understanding of compliance regulations and their practical application
• Proven experience leading large, cross-functional, and complex initiatives
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, timelines, and project governance
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced ability to research, analyze impact, and suggest solutions for complex problems

Preferred Skills

• Experience with privacy tools (OneTrust or similar)
• Knowledge of data governance, information security, or risk management frameworks
• Experience with Jira/Confluence tools to manage project artifacts, delivery & support operations
• Strong proficiency in project management and reporting tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Smartsheet, Power BI)
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable execution plans

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and decision-making
• Program and financial management skills
• Excellent communication and executive presentation abilities
• Advanced stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Risk assessment and problem-solving mindset
• High attention to detail and regulatory awareness
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Other standard benefits as applicable

About Unicon

UNICON is a workforce solutions provider with over 35 years of experience supporting organizations across a variety of industries. We partner with our clients to deliver skilled professionals while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and long-term relationships. UNICON is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.