Security Manager – Security Architecture & Data Protection for CalSAWS

**Position Description

We’re looking for an experienced Security Manager- Security Architecture & Data Protection to shift security left and shape how security is designed across applications, cloud, integrations, and data. Do you have the technical expertise to evaluate cloud architecture, application designs, integrations, data flows, and emerging technologies while translating complex security risks into practical recommendations? Are you ready to help CalSAWS strengthen enterprise security and protect sensitive data across one of the nation’s largest public-sector technology environments?

If so, CalSAWS invites you to apply today to join our team as the next Security Manager – Security Architecture & Data Protection!

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Position Information

The Security Manager – Security Architecture & Data Protection reports to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and plays a critical role in strengthening the CalSAWS enterprise security program by ensuring security is incorporated into technology, applications, data, and business processes from the start.

This position leads security architecture reviews for new and changing technologies, evaluates security risks and design decisions, and establishes effective controls to protect sensitive information. The Security Manager partners closely with innovation, application, infrastructure, security, and business teams to advance secure-by-design practices and strengthen CalSAWS' enterprise data protection capabilities.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

Be an experienced security professional who can operate comfortably at both the architectural and enterprise governance levels.

Have hands-on experience conducting security architecture and design reviews for complex enterprise systems.

Be comfortable reviewing cloud architecture, challenging application designs, evaluating identity and integration patterns, and discussing data flows with engineers.

Bring strong expertise in enterprise data protection, including DSPM, DLP, Insider Risk, data discovery, and classification.

Possess a strong understanding of authentication and authorization, encryption, key and secret management, network security, least privilege, logging and monitoring, vulnerability management, and secure software development.

Understand privacy-by-design principles, including data minimization, appropriate use, retention, transparency, and sharing constraints.

Effectively translate complex security risks and technical findings into clear, practical recommendations for leadership and business partners.

Demonstrate strong judgment when balancing security requirements with operational, technical, and delivery considerations.

Be highly organized and capable of managing multiple concurrent reviews, requests, risks, and stakeholder relationships.

Communicate clearly and concisely through decision logs, technical summaries, recommendations, and audit- or client-ready documentation.

Thrive in a collaborative environment requiring partnership across security, technology, procurement, compliance, and business teams.

Be motivated by creating a culture in which security and data protection are incorporated into technology decisions from the start.

Preferred certifications may include:

CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, CDPSE, CIPM, or equivalent security certifications

GIAC certifications

Security+ or equivalent

Cloud security certifications

AWS Security Architect or equivalent

All positions may be subject to some short-term travel in order to conduct project business with the state and counties. The CalSAWS project office is currently located in Gold River, California.

Who is CalSAWS?

The California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) is the largest county-based human services system in the nation. In June 2019, all 58 California counties formed the CalSAWS Consortium as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to govern system operations and represent the collective interests of every county.

As of October 2023, CalSAWS successfully unified all counties into a single statewide system. CalSAWS is now in its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) phase, ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient system functionality for millions of Californians.

This role represents a critical opportunity to improve enterprise alignment upstream of delivery, helping CalSAWS reduce downstream friction, improve coordination, and support more cohesive customer and workforce experiences statewide.

Examples of Duties

Link to full job description here (Download PDF reader).

Typical Qualifications

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in information security, computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.

Six (6) years of progressively responsible, full-time, paid experience in security architecture, information security, data protection, privacy, data security, or a similar operational role, with demonstrated depth in DSPM, DLP, and Insider Risk disciplines in a multi-cloud environment. At least two (2) years of experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

Hands-on experience performing security architecture and design reviews for complex enterprise systems

Experience with data protection-by-design, AI/ML systems, input/output monitoring, data residency enforcement, and access controls

Strong knowledge of authentication and authorization controls, encryption, key management, secret management, network security, classification, retention, least privilege, logging and monitoring, vulnerability management, and secure software development

Working knowledge of privacy-by-design principles

Working knowledge of data security and security architecture reviews

Experience supporting vendor onboarding, system and security reviews, procurement/third-party risk management processes, and data inventories

Experience managing structured workflows involving intake, triage, documentation tracking, and closure across multiple stakeholders

Experience working in large-scale enterprise or public-sector environments is strongly preferred.**