Head of Cybersecurity & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) (Hybrid)

Securian Financial Group; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Pension plan

Paid time off

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Securian Financial Group seeks a forward-looking Head of Cybersecurity and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to protect customers, partners, and the enterprise while enabling innovation in AI and technology. This officer-level role reports to the CIO and sits on the Enterprise Technology leadership team.

The CISO will shape cybersecurity strategy, manage risk across data and systems, and partner with Risk, Legal, Compliance and Audit to balance regulatory obligations with business needs.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in cybersecurity and technology risk.
• Demonstrated success leading cybersecurity or technology transformation.
• Deep cybersecurity expertise with strong technology, data, and AI fluency.
• Understanding of enterprise risk, regulatory requirements and risk appetite.
• Ability to influence broader technology strategy and modernization decisions.
• Experience with regulated environments and collaboration with Risk, Legal, Compliance and Audit.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Securian's enterprise Cybersecurity organization and strategy.
• Translate external threat environments into enterprise priorities and risk-informed decisions.
• Embed secure-by-design and resilience into technology delivery across the enterprise.
• Lead communication of cybersecurity risk to executives, the Board and regulators.
• Build leadership teams and durable organizational capability in security and tech.

Skills

Cybersecurity leadership

Technology risk

Cloud/engineering

AI/ML security

Regulatory & risk governance

Job description

*At Securian Financial the internal position title is 2nd VP-Chief Information Security Officer*

Job Overview:

Securian is seeking an accomplished, forward-looking cybersecurity and technology executive to serve as our Head of Cybersecurity and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). As Securian continues to advance its business, technology, data and AI ambitions, this leader will play a critical role in protecting the trust of our customers, partners, employees, regulators and Board while enabling the enterprise to innovate and move with confidence.

The CISO will lead Securian's enterprise Cybersecurity organization while also serving as one of the company's broadest technology executives. The ideal candidate will combine deep cybersecurity credibility with strong business judgment, technology fluency, executive influence and the ability to translate a rapidly evolving external threat environment into clear enterprise priorities and risk-informed decisions.

This role extends beyond traditional security operations, control ownership and compliance. The CISO will help shape Securian's broader technology agenda, strengthen data protection and enterprise resilience, enable responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies, and embed security, resilience and trust into how technology is designed and delivered.

The Head of Cybersecurity & CISO will report to the Chief Information Officer and operate as a member of Securian's senior Enterprise Technology leadership team. This is an officer‑level position.

Core Responsibilities:

Enterprise Leadership & Strategy

• Provide leadership, vision and direction for Securian's enterprise Cybersecurity organization while contributing broadly to Enterprise Technology and company strategy.
• Develop and continuously evolve the cybersecurity strategy in alignment with Securian's enterprise, technology, data and AI priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders, helping the organization understand how to pursue opportunities responsibly rather than defaulting to risk avoidance.
• Bring an enterprise‑first perspective to complex decisions, balancing customer, business, technology, financial, regulatory and reputational considerations.
• Maintain strong awareness of the external cybersecurity environment and proactively translate emerging threats, industry developments and technology trends into implications and actions for Securian.

Cybersecurity Strategy, Risk & Business Enablement

• Establish a focused, risk‑informed cybersecurity strategy and operating model that protects Securian while enabling the business to move with appropriate speed.
• Strengthen Securian's ability to understand and protect sensitive and critical data, including where it resides, how it moves, who can access it and how it is used.
• Differentiate cybersecurity resources, controls and investments based on actual enterprise risk, reducing unnecessary friction while increasing focus on areas of greatest exposure.
• Partner closely with Risk, Legal, Compliance and Audit to ensure regulatory requirements are met while maintaining clear distinctions between regulatory obligation, organizational preference and risk appetite.
• Drive clear cybersecurity priorities and investment discussions with senior leaders and ensure material risks are surfaced early and addressed transparently.

Technology, Data, AI & Resilience

• Partner across architecture, engineering, data, AI, infrastructure, reliability and technology operations to embed secure‑by‑design, resilient‑by‑design and trustworthy‑by‑design practices into technology delivery.
• Provide cybersecurity leadership for Securian's rapidly evolving AI environment, including enterprise models, agents, machine identities, privileged access, sensitive data, AI application security, software supply‑chain risk and AI‑enabled threats.
• Strengthen Cyber and technology resilience through close integration of cybersecurity, technology operations, reliability engineering, architecture, business continuity, crisis management and third‑party risk.

Executive, Board & External Leadership

• Serve as a visible and trusted enterprise voice on cybersecurity risk, preparedness, resilience and emerging threats.
• Communicate complex cybersecurity and technology risks clearly and confidently to senior executives, the Board, regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Build productive relationships with external industry peers, regulators and cybersecurity communities to ensure Securian benefits from leading practices and emerging perspectives.
• Represent Securian with credibility during significant cybersecurity events, regulatory interactions and other high‑visibility situations.

Qualifications:

• Significant senior leadership experience in cybersecurity, technology risk, security architecture, engineering or adjacent enterprise technology disciplines.
• Demonstrated success leading meaningful cybersecurity or technology transformation, not solely operating an established security program.
• Deep cybersecurity expertise combined with strong technology, architecture, data and AI fluency.
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk, regulatory requirements, risk appetite and the role cybersecurity plays within a complex business environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence broader technology strategy, architecture, cloud, data, AI, engineering and modernization decisions.
• Experience operating successfully in a regulated environment and building credibility with Risk, Legal, Compliance, Audit and regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience advising executive leadership and presenting material cybersecurity, technology or enterprise risk matters to Boards or Board committees.
• Demonstrated crisis leadership and understanding of cybersecurity response, recovery, technology resilience, business continuity and third‑party dependencies.
• Proven ability to build strong leadership teams, develop succession and create durable organizational capability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Senior cybersecurity or technology leadership experience within financial services, insurance or another highly regulated industry.
• Experience leading cybersecurity within a large, complex technology environment undergoing significant modernization or transformation.
• Experience enabling enterprise adoption of AI, cloud, modern engineering practices and emerging technologies while managing associated cybersecurity and data risks.
• Experience serving as a CISO, Deputy CISO, divisional CISO, Security CTO or similarly broad senior cybersecurity or technology executive is valuable; however, prior CISO title is not required for candidates who demonstrate the breadth, judgment and executive trajectory required for the role.

Leadership & Cultural Fit:

The successful candidate will bring low ego and high conviction-confident enough to put difficult issues on the table while remaining open to different perspectives and willing to adapt when facts change. They will build trust through competence, transparency, consistency and follow‑through; collaborate effectively across the enterprise; debate issues constructively and then commit to enterprise decisions.

Above all, this leader will think enterprise first, technology second and function third-protecting Securian's trust while helping the company move forward with confidence.

Preferred Skills:

Accountability, Active Listening, Adaptability, Coaching, Communication, Decision Making, Effective Delegation, Prioritization, Relationship Building, Self-Awareness, Strategic Execution, Talent Assessments

The estimated base pay range for this job is $225,000- $295,000. Pay may vary depending on job‑related factors and individual experience, skills, knowledge, etc. This job is also eligible for both an annual incentive program and a long‑term incentive program. More information will be provided during the hiring process and can be discussed with a member of the Securian Financial Talent Acquisition team.

Be you. With us.

At Securian Financial, we understand that attracting top talent means offering more than just a job - it means providing a rewarding and fulfilling career. As a valued member of our high‑performing team, we want you to connect with your work, your relationships and your community. Enjoy our comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your professional growth, well‑being and work‑life balance, including the advantages listed here:

Paid time off:

• We want you to take time off for what matters most to you. Our PTO program provides flexibility for associates to take meaningful time away from work to relax, recharge and spend time doing what's important to them. And Securian Financial rewards associates for their service by providing additional PTO the longer you stay at Securian.
• Leave programs: Securian's flexible leave programs allow time off from work for parental leave, caregiver leave for family members, bereavement and military leave.
• Holidays: Securian provides nine company paid holidays.

Company-funded pension plan and a 401(k) retirement plan:

Share in the success of our company. Securian's 401(k) company contribution is tied to our performance up to 10 percent of eligible earnings, with a target of 5 percent. The amount is based on company results compared to goals related to earnings, sales and service.

Health insurance:

From the first day of employment, associates and their eligible family members - including spouses, domestic partners and children - are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage.

Volunteer time:

We know the importance of community. Through company-sponsored events, volunteer paid time off, a dollar‑for‑dollar matching gift program and more, we encourage you to support organizations important to you.

Associate Resource Groups:

Build connections, be yourself and develop meaningful relationships at work through associate‑led ARGs. Dedicated groups focus on a variety of interests and affinities, including:

• Environmental Health & Sustainability
• Mental Wellness and Disability
• Pride at Securian Financial
• Securian Young Professionals Network
• Securian Multicultural Network
• Securian Women and Allies Network
• Servicemember Associate Resource Group

For more information regarding Securian's benefits, please review our Benefits page.

This information is not intended to explain all the provisions of coverage available under these plans. In all cases, the plan document dictates coverage and provisions.

Securian Financial Group, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital or familial status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, veteran status, status in regard to public assistance or any other protected status. If you are a job seeker with a disability and require an accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, please contact us by email at [e-mail], by telephone [phone] (voice), or 711 (Relay/TTY).

Securian Financial is a drug‑free workplace.

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#LI-hybrid **This position will be in a hybrid working arrangement.**

Securian Financial believes that meaningful in‑person collaboration is an important part of our culture. Our hybrid work model gives associates the flexibility to work both remotely and in the office while fostering connection, learning, and innovation. Associates who live within a 90‑minute commute of our Home Office in St. Paul, Minnesota spend 3 or more days each week working from the office.