Learning & Development Specialist, Privacy & Data Governance (Term-Limited)

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Learning & Development Specialist, Privacy & Data Governance in the Administration and Finance Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a two-year term-limited position.  

The Privacy & Data Governance (P&DG) unit works to enable the ACLU to honor individual privacy and choice, protect data in our possession, and be a leader in non-profit data governance practices. The unit is responsible for a cross-departmental Privacy & Data Governance program that provides centralized governance for organizational data policies and internal controls, and works with National and Affiliate staff on an ongoing basis to establish and document consistent practices that meet evolving regulatory and organizational expectations for data protection and privacy. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Reporting to the Senior Strategist, the Learning & Development Specialist leads the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of Privacy & Data Governance trainings, documentation, and internal knowledge resources. This role plays a central part in building a privacy-aware organization by creating practical, accessible learning experiences and durable guidance that enable National and Affiliate staff to understand and apply privacy and data governance requirements and leading practices to their daily work. 

Program Strategy & Coordination:

• Develop and maintain Privacy & Data Governance’s (P&DG) knowledge and awareness strategy, aligned with organizational priorities. 
• Partner with departments to identify training and awareness needs and design responsive learning experiences. 
• Coordinate training schedules across ACLU Departments to maximize participation and reduce duplication. 
• Integrate P&DG knowledge and awareness strategy into broader onboarding, operational, and organizational learning efforts. 

Program Management:

• Design, develop, and implement comprehensive privacy and data governance training and awareness curriculum for National and Affiliate staff, including Legal, Marketing and Communications, Organizing, Advocacy, Development, and Operations departments. 
• Create scalable training and awareness models that can be delivered nationwide and adapted locally by Affiliates. 
• Update/develop both foundational privacy and data governance trainings (e.g., confidentiality, data minimization, data lifecycle management, consent, and risk awareness) and function-specific trainings tailored to departmental data practices. 

Curriculum Development:

• Collaborate with subject matter experts, such as, Legal, Marketing and Communications, Organizing, Advocacy, Development, and Technology departments to develop function-specific training and awareness content that incorporate privacy and data governance leading practices and are aligned with organizational priorities. 
• Design training experiences that center equity, accessibility, and cultural competency. 
• Continuously update curriculum based on evolving legal requirements, organizational policies and practices, and participant feedback. 
• Build and maintain a digital library of privacy and data governance training materials, toolkits, templates, videos, and other resources. Ensure materials are current, accessible, and easy to navigate for the ACLU network. 
• Manage internal P&DG communications, including producing the bimonthly Privacy & Data Governance newsletter. 

Program Delivery & Facilitation:

• Deliver engaging, interactive privacy and data governance trainings virtually and, as needed, in person. 
• Facilitate large-group sessions, small-group discussions, and practical exercises grounded in real-world ACLU scenarios. 
• Adapt training style and content for different learning styles, experience levels, and functional roles. 
• Model effective facilitation practices that others across the organization can replicate. 

Train-the-Trainer Model:

• Establish and support train-the-trainer approaches that equip Affiliate staff and designated trainers to deliver privacy and data governance trainings independently. 
• Provide guidance, resources, and support to trainers across National and the Affiliate network. 
• Develop standardized facilitator guides, training protocols, and reference materials to ensure consistency and quality. 
• Gather feedback on training delivery and materials to support continuous improvement. 

Evaluation & Impact:

• Design and support evaluation methods to measure training effectiveness and impact. 
• Track training metrics such as participation, knowledge gain, and practical application. 
• Create and implement a compliance strategy to ensure training compliance. 
• Collect and analyze participant feedback to inform continuous improvement. 
• Contribute to internal reporting on training outcomes and organizational awareness. 

Administration & Unit Management:

• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives related to Privacy & Data Governance training and knowledge, as assigned. 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

• Experience designing, delivering, and managing internal training, education, or knowledge programs that are accessible and consider diverse learning styles. 
• Experience working with learning management systems (e.g., Absorb) and course development software (e.g., Articulate and Camtasia). 
• Demonstrated experience creating clear, well-structured documentation, guidance, and other learning materials for diverse, adult learners. 
• Strong interest in privacy, data protection, and responsible data use practices. 
• Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, practical guidance for non-technical audiences. 
• Ability to comprehend complex subjects and communicate them effectively, written and spoken. 
• Experience managing intranet content, newsletters, or internal communications. 
• Strong research capabilities. 
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team. 

• Familiarity with privacy and data governance concepts, frameworks, or regulatory requirements. 
• Interest in equity-centered, human-centered approaches to privacy and data governance. 
• Experience developing train-the-trainer models or scalable learning programs. 
• Experience working in a federated organizational structure. 
• Experience in operationalizing compliance requirements. 

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us, diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.