Principal, Cyber Strategy and Maturity

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The Principal Cyber Strategy and Maturity will oversee and report on sustained improvement of Verizon cybersecurity program maturity, create executive reports on the progress to senior leadership, deliver objective analysis and insights, research and derive insights from industry publications/resources and work with security teams to help drive complex initiatives to closure. This individual will also need to engage with and manage external assessors and consultants. You will need to be a self-starter with tremendous skill in working and communicating horizontally across multiple cybersecurity teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the continuous evolution and enhancement of Verizon's cybersecurity strategy, embedding AI-driven solutions and driving automation initiatives to optimize efficiency and bolster resilience.

• Manage cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders to identify and address critical gaps and implement AI-powered process improvements, enhancing Data gathering/reporting, and analysis.

• Develop executive status reports on cybersecurity strategic initiatives for data-driven leadership decisions. Understand the current cybersecurity strategy and help mature it continuously through targeted initiatives

• Collaborate across the cybersecurity teams, function owners, and risk and control teams to report on progress to senior leaders.

• Evaluate current state security processes, from beginning to end, to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities

• Analyze and measure the effectiveness of existing processes and develop sustainable, repeatable, and quantifiable process improvement recommendations (requirements definition, gap analysis, cost-benefit analysis), champion automation and AI integration.

• Recommend solutions (in terms of both technology and business outcomes) based on root cause analysis, cost/benefits, feasibility analysis, and research of sound industry practices

• Drive progress in executing the overall cyber strategy through analysis, stakeholder management, leadership communication, and ideate recommendations on how to execute strategic goals, including: partner with stakeholders to monitor and achieve annual targets, identify process improvement opportunities and organizational structure changes

• Deliver automation and continuous improvement by understanding processes, evaluating and implementing AI & automation tools, and measuring the effectiveness of automation initiatives.

• Manage the strategy planning cycle, including the evaluation of inputs, quarterly alignment, and prioritization of business objectives.

• Work closely with cybersecurity teams, function owners, and risk and control teams to report on the progress of cybersecurity strategic initiatives to senior leaders.

• Maintain a strategic metrics framework, reporting platform, and publication of results.

• Maintain a deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF) and their application to Verizon's environment.

• Evaluate and manage relationships with external vendors, ensuring alignment with Verizon's security objectives and budget.

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.

• Six or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

• Experience developing and implementing Technical Education and Awareness programs and strategies.

• Experience in one or more of the following fields: Cyber Security, Learning & Development, Communications, IT, Application Development or Network Engineering.

• A degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or related fields.

• Strong understanding of Verizon cybersecurity services and capabilities.

• Solid knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (i.e., National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) special publications and frameworks).

• Ability to consistently exercise sound judgment, perform thorough analysis, and recommend decisions in an organized manner.

• Strong project management experience and the ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and business senior executives.

• Experience in data analytics, including the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. Proficiency with SQL, Looker, LucidCharts, and other Business Intelligence (BI) tools.

• Advanced experience using SmartSheets, Excel, and Sheets. Proficiency in automation and AI tools.

• Knowledge and experience in Risk Assessment and Quantitative Risk Management (QRM).

• Security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CompTIA Security+.

• Demonstrated vendor management experience.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, stock incentive programs, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.