Associate Director, Legal Operations and Privacy

Summary

Join Deel, a rapidly growing SaaS company, as the Associate Director of Legal Operations & Privacy. This critical leadership role requires operational excellence, regulatory expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to scale global Legal Ops and Privacy programs. You will streamline legal workflows, implement innovative solutions, and ensure compliance with global privacy and regulatory standards. The position demands a resilient systems thinker who thrives in fast-paced environments. Deel offers a dynamic culture, continuous learning, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of work. This role involves leading and mentoring a high-performing team, driving legal initiatives across various departments, and ensuring compliance with global regulations.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in Operations, Consulting, or related roles, with proven success in high-impact, fast-moving environments
• Extensive global project management experience, having led large-scale, cross-border initiatives that foster alignment and business impact across cultures and time zones
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Sciences, Business, Law, Finance, or Accounting, reflecting a strong analytical and strategic foundation
• Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks, including GDPR, FCPA, SEC, and others, with a record of managing multinational compliance programs
• Practical expertise in privacy program development and managing regulatory compliance across complex jurisdictions
• Strong financial literacy, data analysis, and problem-solving skills, enabling sound decision-making and process optimization
• Experience successfully launching new legal or business initiatives, with a focus on innovation and execution in high-growth environments
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions such as Product, Sales, HR, Finance, and IT, managing multiple stakeholders and priorities effectively
• A systems thinker comfortable navigating ambiguity, capable of building clarity and efficiency into evolving processes
• Resilient and adaptable, with the grit to manage change and overcome challenges in a startup or scale-up setting
• Exceptional communication skills and cultural fluency, enabling influence across diverse global teams and leadership levels
• Experienced people manager who leads with accountability, clarity, and a commitment to developing high-performing teams
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, able to work independently while managing multi-regional legal and operational tasks

Responsibilities

• Lead and expand the legal operations function globally by establishing scalable, efficient workflows that support legal teams across multiple jurisdictions
• Implement and optimize legal tech platforms (e.g., contract management, document automation, compliance tools, analytics) to enhance productivity and manage risk
• Develop and maintain standardized legal policies and operational best practices suitable for a multinational regulatory landscape
• Manage departmental budgeting, resource allocation, and vendor engagement to ensure high-value, cost-effective outcomes
• Build and mentor a high-performing Legal Ops and Privacy team, fostering innovation, accountability, and continuous development
• Use KPIs and data analytics to identify operational bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement in legal service delivery
• Drive legal initiatives in partnership with teams including Product, Sales, HR, Finance, and IT to align legal operations with broader business goals
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior legal and business leadership, translating enterprise priorities into legal action plans
• Lead change management efforts to introduce new systems, processes, or policies with minimal disruption and maximum adoption
• Ensure efficient collaboration between the legal team and other departments by organizing workflows and communication channels with key stakeholders across the organization
• Develop, implement, and maintain global Privacy and AI compliance programs in alignment with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulatory frameworks
• Conduct privacy audits, DPIAs, and risk assessments; lead remediation efforts to close compliance gaps
• Respond to regulatory inquiries, investigations, and audits; maintain strong documentation and version control for compliance records
• Deliver training and guidance on privacy and AI compliance to employees and leadership, ensuring company-wide awareness and adherence
• Monitor emerging privacy regulations and advise leadership on strategic compliance responses
• Ensure privacy and compliance with internal policies and external legal/regulatory frameworks, including employment law, AI governance, and EOR practices
• Oversee global compliance metrics and incident reporting, identifying trends and proactively managing legal risks
• Support commercial, corporate, and employment legal needs with an agile yet risk-aware approach
• Continuously monitor industry best practices in Legal Ops, Privacy, AI, and regulatory compliance to ensure the company remains ahead of the curve
• Champion agility and resilience by introducing scalable, tech-enabled legal solutions in response to organizational growth and change
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current practices, offering improvements and implementing innovative operational strategies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience engaging with regulatory authorities and managing payment service licenses in various jurisdictions is preferred
• Relevant certifications such as ACAMS, CIPP, CIPM, or equivalent are a strong plus

Benefits

• Stock grant opportunities dependent on your role, employment status and location
• Additional perks and benefits based on your employment status and country
• The flexibility of remote work, including optional WeWork access