Manager, Cyber Architecture

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that’s leading this transformation. You’ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.

If you’re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Manager, Cyber Architecture you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Director, Cyber Architecture and Engineering . This is a full-tim e exempt position, eligible for all of USC ’s fantastic Benefits + Perks . This opportunity is remote.

The Manager, Cyber Architecture manages the university’s overall security architecture, ensuring the integrity of IT systems and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory standards. Leads the specialized teams responsible for executing cyber security strategies in alignment with established architectural principles. Manages assessments and recommends security solutions at the enterprise or local level across the university. Helps shape security policies, conducting rigorous assessments, endorsing robust security solutions that span across the university enterprise and safeguarding research initiatives. Offers expert technical insights on security matters, as required .

The Manager, Cyber Architecture will:

• Responsible for managing assessments and recommending security solutions at the enterprise or local level across the university, including research security. Designs robust security systems and responds swiftly to potential vulnerabilities.

• Provides key input with defined security architecture guidelines. Provides technical security-related perspectives upon request. Performs regular reporting on security metrics.

• Leads the strategic development and execution of the university’s comprehensive security architecture, ensuring alignment with architectural principles. Shapes and influences security policies, performs thorough assessments, and advocates for enterprise-wide security solutions, emphasizing research security.

• Directs specialized teams to implement security strategies effectively, fostering a culture of excellence and compliance. Participates in staff management activities (e.g., hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, and promotions). Offers recommendations to leadership on security monitoring and incident response strategies based on informed analysis.

• Provides expert technical insights on security-related matters upon request, serving as a resource for the organization. Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure the security architecture supports the university's goals and risk management strategies.

• Maintains a forward-looking perspective on security trends and technologies, ensuring the architecture evolves to meet emerging threats and opportunities.

• Ensures architecture evolves with changes in legal, regulatory, and technology environments that may affect operations, and communicates updates to senior management and staff.

• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Great candidate s for the position of Manager, Cyber Architecture will meet the following qualifications:

• 7 years of experience in security architecture design and network security and/or related fields.

• A bachelor’s degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education .

• Extensive experience in security architecture design, with the ability to conceptualize and implement effective security frameworks.

• Proven knowledge of network security technologies and solutions .

• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and the ability to apply them effectively.

• Working knowledge of network security concepts and strategies, including fundamentals and attack strategies.

• Familiarity with application frameworks, security concepts, and strategies, to allow for secure application environments.

• Experience with Operational Technology architecture requirements and concepts.

• Knowledge of modern data center technologies (e.g., virtualization, containerization, cloud computing, disaster recovery).

• Technical expertise necessary to deliver enabling technologies and applications that support the university's objectives .

• Ability to design, evaluate and document processes, leading teams in process review and improvement.

• Understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Infrastructure Development Lifecycle (IDLC) processes, integrating security considerations throughout.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidate s for the position of Manager, Cyber Architecture will also bring the following qualifications or more :

• 10 years of related experience.

• A bachelor’s degree in information science or computer science or computer engineering or in related field(s); or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Proven leadership experience.

• Experience in a university environment.

• Familiarity with existing university security architecture.

• Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, GIAC, CISM)

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate , through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values (https://culturejourney.usc.edu/explore/unifying-values/) of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The annual base salary range for this position is $205,068.39 to $225,319.41 . When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here (https://employees.usc.edu/benefits-perks/) .

Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 7 years in security architecture design and network security and/or related fields. Minimum Skills: Extensive experience in security architecture design, with the ability to conceptualize and implement effective security frameworks. Proven knowledge of network security technologies and solutions. Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and the ability to apply them effectively. Working knowledge of network security concepts and strategies, including fundamentals and attack strategies. Familiarity with application frameworks, security concepts, and strategies, to allow for secure application environments. Experience with Operational Technology architecture requirements and concepts. Knowledge of modern data center technologies (e.g., virtualization, containerization, cloud computing, disaster recovery). Technical expertise necessary to deliver enabling technologies and applications that support the university's objectives. Ability to design, evaluate and document processes, leading teams in process review and improvement. Understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Infrastructure Development Lifecycle (IDLC) processes, integrating security considerations throughout. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Information Science Or Computer Science Or Computer Engineering Or in related field(s) Preferred Certifications: Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, GIAC, CISM) Preferred Experience: 10 years Preferred Skills: Proven leadership experience. Experience in a university environment. Familiarity with existing university security architecture.