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Northwestern Mutual

Assistant Director - Data Security

Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee, WI


At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.

This position is open to remote. However, if within 100 miles to MKE or NYC, it will require some onsite presence each week (3 days in MKE or 2 days in NYC).

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a passionate and experienced leader to join our Product Security organization as our Data Security Team Leader. You're the right fit if you love to solve problems and are always striving to learn new things. We're looking for self-motivated and collaborative technical leaders who are passionate about leading teams, solving cross-organizational challenges, and love cybersecurity.

In this position, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our data security strategy, driving the implementation of robust security measures, and leading a high-performing team. Your knowledge and leadership expertise in Data Security will be instrumental in safeguarding our organization's data assets and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulation.

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in development, infrastructure, or cybersecurity.
  • 3+ years of experience leading and developing security engineering teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • In-depth knowledge of risk management frameworks such as NIST and Data Security Maturity Model.
  • Strong understanding of data security tools and technologies such as encryption, PKI, tokenization, DLP, and database activity monitoring.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal), capable of engaging and presenting sophisticated topics clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Continuous improvement mindset, actively seeking opportunities to improve processes and capabilities.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while leading multiple projects simultaneously


What you'll get to do:
  • Make a significant impact on the security of our organization by overseeing implementation of our Data Security strategy.
  • Guide, partner, and advise application and engineering leaders on Data Security to ensure compliance with security requirements.
  • Stay informed about new and emerging threats, recommending tactical and strategic initiatives to mitigate risks.
  • Manage relationships with external vendors, partners, and stakeholders to enhance our security capabilities.
  • Mentor staff members to ensure consistency, quality, and productivity of deliverables.


Further impress us with:
  • Your passion for fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement where high-performing teams can thrive
  • Your ability to bring stakeholders together to drive alignment on solving cross-organizational challenges
  • Relevant certifications from reputable cloud and/or cybersecurity industry organizations, including GIAC, ISC(2), AWS Solutions Architect, etc.
  • Your technical depth and experience in securing data assets across cloud and on-prem platforms (Relational and NoSQL) using automated CICD pipelines
  • Your experience deploying and maintaining PKI infrastructure, including certificate authorities (CAs), digital certificates, and key management systems.


If any of this excites you, we want to hear from you!

#LI-Remote

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$133,140.00

Pay Range - End:

$247,260.00

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our client's interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.