Vice President, Cybersecurity Strategy and Engagement

Mastercard Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 239,000 - 383,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard in Washington, DC seeks a Vice President, Cybersecurity Strategy and Engagement to lead global government engagement. You will shape strategy, run advisory mechanisms, and represent Mastercard with senior government and institutional partners.

The role requires executive presence, strategic judgement, and a deep understanding of cybersecurity policy, threat intel, and technology trends. You will coordinate with Security Solutions, product, sales, legal and communications to drive

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in cybersecurity, national security, or government affairs.
• Proven ability to engage with senior government or institutional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of global cybersecurity policy and threat landscape.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Mastercard's global government cybersecurity engagement strategy.
• Design and operate advisory councils, working groups, and executive roundtables.
• Support operation and development of Mastercard's Global Security Advisory Council (GSAC).
• Identify and advance opportunities to engage with national cybersecurity agencies and multilateral bodies.
• Represent Mastercard in external meetings, conferences, and engagements with senior officials.
• Coordinate internally across Security Solutions, product, sales, legal and communications.
• Track policy and threat intelligence trends impacting government engagement priorities.
• Develop briefing materials and executive communications to position Mastercard as a thought leader.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Public policy understanding

Cybersecurity knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Title and Summary

Vice President, Cybersecurity Strategy and Engagement

Overview: The Vice President, Cybersecurity Strategy and Engagement will serve as a senior strategic leader to help set direction, prioritize efforts, and drive execution across Mastercard's global government cybersecurity engagement portfolio. This individual will act as a close collaborator and thought partner to the SVP, Cybersecurity Partnership and Engagement, owning critical workstreams, building out a global strategy for government engagement, representing Mastercard with senior government and institutional counterparts, and ensuring that the organization's engagement activities are coherent, well-sequenced, and impactful. This role requires executive presence, sound strategic judgment, and a deep understanding of the global cybersecurity landscape — including the policy, threat intelligence, and technology dimensions that shape government priorities.

Role

• Partner closely with the SVP to develop and execute Mastercard's global government cybersecurity engagement strategy, ensuring efforts are aligned across geographies, institutions, and internal stakeholders.
• Help lead the design, structure, and ongoing operation of senior-level government engagement mechanisms, including advisory councils, working groups, and executive roundtables.
• Support the operation and continued development of Mastercard's Global Security Advisory Council (GSAC), including member engagement, meeting preparation, follow‑through on Council priorities, and coordination with GSAC leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Identify, prioritize, and advance opportunities for Mastercard to engage with key government and institutional counterparts, including national cybersecurity agencies, critical infrastructure bodies, and multilateral organizations.
• Serve as a senior representative of the function in external meetings, conferences, and engagements, projecting authority and credibility on behalf of Mastercard's cybersecurity mission.
• Coordinate internally across Security Solutions, product, sales, legal, and communications teams to ensure government engagement strategies are well-supported and commercially informed.
• Track the global policy and threat intelligence landscape to identify emerging opportunities and risks relevant to Mastercard's government engagement priorities.
• Support the development of briefing materials, executive communications, and strategic documents that position Mastercard as a thought leader and trusted partner in cybersecurity.
• Help manage and develop the broader Cybersecurity Partnership & Engagement team, contributing to organizational effectiveness and culture.

About You

• Extensive years of experience in cybersecurity, national security, or government affairs — with demonstrated experience engaging with senior government or institutional stakeholders.
• Deep familiarity with the global cybersecurity policy and threat intelligence landscape, including critical infrastructure protection, international cyber norms, and the evolving role of the private sector.
• Proven ability to operate strategically and execute operationally, comfortable both setting direction and driving results.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills; experience representing organizations at senior levels in government, industry, and multilateral forums.
• Experience working across complex, matrixed organizations and building alignment among diverse stakeholders.
• Prior experience in cybersecurity, international engagement, financial services, critical infrastructure, and/or technology sectors preferred.
• Government service, intelligence community, or national security background highly valued.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in international affairs, cybersecurity, public policy, or a related field preferred.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

This individual will develop a global cybersecurity engagement strategy for Mastercard, including the prioritization of government engagement opportunities and key partnership engagements The individual will establish strong internal and external relationships – and will ensure Mastercard’s government cybersecurity engagement function operates with increasing coherence, efficiency, and impact, and that Mastercard is consistently seen as a trusted partner, strategic advisor, and leading voice by governments around the world.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role.

Accommodations

In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

Compensation

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits – Full Time (and certain part time)

• insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
• flexible spending account and health savings account
• paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave)
• 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire
• 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays
• 401k with a best-in-class company match
• deferred compensation for eligible roles
• fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities
• eligibility for tuition reimbursement
• and many more.

Benefits – Interns

• 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time
• jury duty leave
• on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Vacancy Information

THIS POSTING RELECTS ONE OR MORE CURRENT VACANCIES ON OUR TEAM, AND MASTERCARD INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY 09/29/2026. If the fill date has passed, Mastercard intends to fill this position as soon as possible.

Pay Ranges Washington, District of Columbia

$239,000 - $383,000 USD

Marketing

Everyone wants easier ways to pay; we invent them. Checkout lines are slow; we speed them along. Merchants want more sales; we give them data and insights. People need financial access; we connect them. Corporate purchasing is complicated; we make it simple. Commuters are busy; we speed them on their way. Governments need greater efficiencies; we help create them. Small businesses are virtual; we give them access to a world of buyers. Retailers want to fight fraud; we provide the tools.