Principal Security Architect - Data Protection and Workplace Security

At Ally, you get a startup feel, but experience the benefits of a company that has worked out the kinks and is fulfilling its purpose. We are always evolving and see that as a good thing. From owning our work to seeing its impact in the real world, our team is relentless in finding new ways technology can help make experiences better and help people. We are problem solvers, we value diverse thinking, we support one another, and we challenge ourselves to think bigger in the journey to deliver customer-obsessed tech solutions. To read more about what our tech team does, be sure to visit our tech blog at ally.tech Lead the strategy, design, and governance of enterprise security architecture across data protection and workplace security domains. This role is accountable for defining the target-state security architecture and driving execution across critical capabilities, including data security, enterprise data platforms (e.g., Snowflake), email security, and endpoint protection. Ensure security solutions are aligned with business priorities, enterprise architecture standards, regulatory requirements, and risk management objectives. This role partners across security engineering, infrastructure, workplace technology, data platform, architecture, risk, and compliance organizations to drive consistent, scalable, and resilient security outcomes protecting enterprise users, devices, communications, and sensitive data while enabling business agility. At this time, Ally will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position., * Own and define the strategic roadmap, standards, and target-state architecture for data protection and workplace security capabilities

• Provide enterprise-wide architectural leadership across data security, enterprise data platforms, email security, and endpoint security domains
• Enforce architecture governance to ensure security requirements are embedded in business and technology initiatives
• Drive development and adoption of reference architectures, design patterns, and implementation standards across the enterprise
• Partner with engineering, infrastructure, workplace technology, and data platform leaders to enable secure-by-design delivery and lifecycle management of security capabilities
• Continuously assess security posture, identify systemic control gaps, and lead remediation strategies and capability maturity improvements
• Serve as a senior subject matter expert for data protection and workplace security technologies, including DLP, data classification, encryption, masking, endpoint protection, EDR/XDR, secure email controls, and device hardening
• Lead architectural strategy for securing modern data platforms, including Snowflake, data lakes, and data warehouse environments
• Define enterprise patterns for secure data access, protection, monitoring, and governance across data platforms
• Oversee vendor strategy, product evaluations, and architectural due diligence to ensure alignment with long-term security strategy
• Partner with risk, privacy, legal, compliance, and incident response leadership to ensure control alignment and operational effectiveness
• Lead and influence threat modeling, architecture review processes, and security risk assessments
• Ensure alignment with enterprise security policies, regulatory obligations, and industry control frameworks
• Communicate architecture strategy, roadmaps, and risk posture to executive stakeholders and senior leadership

Do you have experience in Stakeholder relationship building?, Do you have a Bachelor’s degree?, * 7+ years of relevant experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field(s) of study or equivalent, * Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 10 years of experience in information security, cybersecurity, or related technology disciplines
• Minimum 5 years of experience in security architecture, with demonstrated experience at an enterprise or domain level

• Proven experience leading architecture strategy across multiple domains, including: *

• Data Security and Data Protection
• Enterprise data platform security (e.g., Snowflake)
• Data lake and data warehouse security
• Email Security
• Endpoint Security
• Enterprise Security Architecture
• Deep expertise in data protection practices, including data classification, DLP, encryption, masking, and access protection strategies
• Strong knowledge of modern data platform security concepts, including role-based access control, segmentation, secure data sharing, logging, and monitoring
• Strong knowledge of endpoint security controls, including endpoint protection, EDR/XDR, device hardening, vulnerability management, and endpoint lifecycle management
• Strong understanding of email security capabilities, including phishing protection, email authentication standards, and secure messaging controls
• Deep understanding of security architecture methodologies, risk-based control design, and enterprise governance frameworks
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong executive communication, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills
• Experience in a large enterprise or highly regulated industry
• Experience leading security architecture in cloud-based data platforms, including Snowflake and modern data ecosystems
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 security controls, collaboration security, and modern endpoint management platforms
• Knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST, CRI, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, or SABSA
• Experience driving zero trust architectures and cloud security strategies
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, GIAC, or equivalent

Leadership & Core Competencies

• Enterprise strategy and architectural vision
• Risk posture management and control design leadership
• Organizational influence and executive stakeholder management
• Cross-functional leadership and alignment
• Technical depth with strategic oversight
• Decision-making under risk and ambiguity

Highly Preferred:

• Hands-on experience developing or prototyping automation solutions using scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell).
• Experience with reporting and analytics platforms such as Power BI, SharePoint, Jira, and Confluence.
• Experience building or leveraging AI/ML-based security tools or automation capabilities.

Pulled from the full job description

• Childcare
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching, Ally’s compensation program offers market-competitive base pay and pay-for-performance incentives (bonuses) based on achieving personal and company goals. Our Total Rewards program includes industry-leading compensation and benefits plus additional incentives that are designed to meet your needs and those of your family so you can get the most out of your career and your life, including:
• Time Away: Program starts at 20 paid time off days in addition to 11 paid holidays and 8 hours of volunteer time off yearly (time off days are prorated based on start date and program varies based on full or part-time status and management level).
• Planning for the Future: plan for the near and long term with an industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions, student loan pay downs and 529 educational save up assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, employee stock purchase plan, and financial learning center and financial coach access.
• Supporting your Health & Well-being: flexible health and insurance options including medical, dental and vision, employee, spouse and child life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions, Healthcare FSA, critical illness, accident & hospital indemnity insurance, and a total well-being program that helps you and your family stay on track physically, socially, emotionally, and financially.
• Building a Family: adoption, surrogacy and fertility assistance as well as paid parental and caregiver leave, Dependent Day Care FSA back-up child and adult/elder care days and childcare discounts.
• Work-Life Integration: other benefits including Mentally Fit Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers® program and other employee discount programs.

Ally Financial only succeeds when its people do - and that’s more than some cliché people put on job postings. We live this stuff! We see our people as, well, people - with interests, families, friends, dreams, and causes that are all important to them. Our focus is on the health and safety of our teammates as well as work-life balance and diversity and inclusion. From generous benefits to a variety of employee resource groups, we strive to build paths that encourage employees to stretch themselves professionally. We want to help you grow, develop, and learn new things. You’re constantly evolving, so shouldn’t your opportunities be, too?, Ally Financial is a customer-centric, leading digital financial services company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions. We are relentlessly focused on “Doing it Right” and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. For more information, visit www.ally.com.

Ally is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic disposition or any other reason protected by law.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical or mental disabilities. For accommodation requests, email us at hrpolicy@ally.com. Ally will not discriminate against any qualified individual who is capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Base Pay Range: $110000 - $180000 USD An individual’s position in the range is determined by the specific role, the scope and responsibilities of the role, work experience, education, certification(s), training, and additional qualifications. We review internal pay, the competitive market, and business environment prior to extending an offer. Incentive Compensation: This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive plan.

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