Manager, Cyber Architecture

USC University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Remote; USD 205,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California (USC) invites applications for a Manager, Cyber Architecture. This full-time exempt role focuses on leading USC's security architecture across the university, collaborating with stakeholders, and reporting to the Director of Cyber Architecture and Engineering.

The position offers a remote work option and USC benefits. The Manager will design enterprise security systems, guide assessments, shape security policies, and lead specialized teams to ensure compliance

Qualifications

• 7+ years in security architecture design and network security
• Bachelor's degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education
• Extensive experience in security architecture design and security frameworks
• Proven knowledge of network security technologies and solutions
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and their application
• Knowledge of modern data center technologies (virtualization, cloud, DR)
• Experience with SDLC and IDLC processes integrating security considerations

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments and recommend security solutions at enterprise or local level
• Design robust security systems and respond to vulnerabilities
• Provide input on security architecture guidelines and policies
• Deliver regular security metrics reporting
• Direct teams to implement security strategies with excellence and compliance
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align security architecture with university goals
• Oversee staff management activities and performance reviews

Skills

Security architecture

Network security

SDLC/IDLC

Security policies

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

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-time 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

• 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

• 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 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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree
• Additional 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.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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ABOUT USC

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

At any point you may also contact our HR Service Center for help at [phone] or [e-mail].