Manager Application Security

Citizens; Westwood (MA); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizens is seeking a Manager, Application Security to lead and scale our enterprise AppSec program across web and mobile platforms. You will own the secure software development lifecycle, partner with engineering, cloud, and risk teams, and drive measurable risk reduction without slowing delivery.

You will establish standards, embed security into architecture and delivery decisions, oversee testing tools (SAST/DAST/SCA) in CI/CD, and mentor security engineers to mature our security posture

Qualifications

• 10+ years in cybersecurity with focus on application security.
• 5+ years leading an enterprise AppSec program.
• Deep knowledge of OWASP Top 10 and secure SDLC.
• Experience with CI/CD, DevSecOps, and security testing tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise application security program across web and mobile.
• Define strategy, roadmap, and secure coding standards.
• Embed security into architecture, design, and delivery.
• Integrate SAST/DAST/SCA into CI/CD pipelines.
• Provide threat-informed guidance to engineering teams.
• Govern metrics and reporting on AppSec maturity.

Skills

AppSec leadership

OWASP Top 10 knowledge

CI/CD / DevSecOps

Executive reporting

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

SAST/DAST/SCA tools

Job description

Description

Manager, Application Security

Hybrid Work Arrangement

Hybrid work arrangement required with 4 days on site and 1 remote in one of the following organizational hubs: Johnston, RI - Westwood OR Boston, MA - Iselin, NJ - Manchester, NH

The Manager, Application Security is responsible for leading, scaling, and maturing enterprise application security capabilities across a complex technology environment. This role owns the application security program end to end, ensuring secure software development practices are embedded into the SDLC while balancing regulatory, risk, and business requirements.

As part of the cybersecurity organization, this role partners closely with engineering, platform, cloud, DevOps, and risk teams to drive measurable risk reduction without slowing delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise application security program across web and mobile platforms
• Define and execute the application security vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned to business and risk objectives
• Establish and enforce application security standards, secure coding practices, and control requirements
• Partner with engineering leadership to embed security into architecture, design, and delivery decisions
• Oversee integration of application security testing tools, including SAST, DAST, and SCA, into CI CD pipelines
• Lead application security assessments and risk based remediation planning
• Provide threat informed guidance to engineering teams on high risk vulnerabilities and design patterns
• Collaborate with vulnerability management, cloud security, and infrastructure teams to drive cohesive risk reduction
• Establish governance, metrics, and reporting to measure application security maturity and effectiveness
• Represent application security in audit, regulatory, and risk management engagements
• Translate technical security risks into clear, business relevant insights for senior leaders
• Build, mentor, and develop application security engineers and subject matter experts
• Continuously improve tooling, automation, and processes to scale AppSec capabilities efficiently

Required Experience and Skills

• 10 plus years of cybersecurity experience with a strong focus on application security
• 5 plus years of people or program leadership experience operating an application security program in an enterprise environment
• Deep understanding of application security risks, including OWASP Top 10
• Hands on experience with modern SDLC, CI CD, and DevSecOps practices
• Experience implementing and managing application security testing tools and processesAbility to assess application architecture, design patterns, and authentication and authorization models
• Strong experience partnering with engineering teams to drive secure by design outcomes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive level reporting
• Proven ability to influence engineering, product, risk, and compliance stakeholders

Preferred Experience

• Experience in highly regulated industries such as financial services or healthcare
• Familiarity with cloud native and microservices based architectures
• Experience with API security platforms and runtime visibility tools
• Background in penetration testing or threat modeling
• Experience defining application security metrics, KPIs, and maturity models

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or a related field
• Preferred certifications include CISSP, CISM, CISA, GPEN, or equivalent

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is from $133,000 to $190,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to work location, relevant skills, and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity and paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs, and more.

Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory paid sick or paid time away policies of local and state jurisdictions in the United States.

For an overview of our benefits, visit our Careers site - https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Why Work for Us

At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth

Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.