Lead Security Architect

Placements24; Cape Town; Presencial; ZAR 1.400.000 - 2.000.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Private medical insurance

Robust retirement fund

Annual performance bonuses

Long-term disability insurance

Gym membership

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 seeks a Lead Security Architect for a leading financial services institution in Cape Town. You will define enterprise security architecture and guide secure design across on-prem and cloud, balancing regulatory needs with business goals.

The role demands senior leadership, deep technical expertise, and the ability to mentor security engineers while shaping the roadmap and budget. The company offers a competitive salary, strong benefits, and a culture of innovation.

Formación

• Master's degree or equivalent extensive experience required.
• 10+ years in information security, with at least 5 years in a security architecture role.
• Experience designing and implementing security across hybrid on-premises and cloud environments.
• In-depth knowledge of network security, IAM, data security, and cloud security.
• Familiarity with security assessment tools, threat modeling, and penetration testing approaches.
• Awareness of security frameworks and compliance standards (PCI DSS, POPIA, etc.).
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Certifications such as CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA, or TOGAF are advantageous.

Responsabilidades

• Define and oversee the organization's security architecture strategy.
• Design secure network, system, and application architectures.
• Evaluate and recommend new security technologies to improve posture.
• Develop and maintain security architecture docs, diagrams, standards, guidelines.
• Lead security design reviews for new projects and initiatives.
• Collaborate with IT, development, and business teams to meet security requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to security engineers and analysts.
• Develop and manage security architecture roadmap and budget.
• Stay current with threats and security technologies and assess their impact.
• Ensure architecture compliance with regulations and industry standards (PCI DSS, POPIA).

Conocimientos

Information security

Security architecture

Leadership

Communication

Presentation

Educación

Master's degree in Computer Science / IT / Cybersecurity or equivalent

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding financial services institution, is actively seeking an accomplished Lead Security Architect to spearhead the design and implementation of secure solutions. This pivotal role is based in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape . The successful candidate will be instrumental in defining the enterprise security architecture, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. This is a senior position requiring strategic thinking, deep technical expertise, and strong leadership capabilities. You will be responsible for building and maintaining a secure technological infrastructure that protects critical client and company data from evolving cyber threats. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a highly regulated industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the implementation of the organization's overall security architecture strategy.
• Design secure network, system, and application architectures, incorporating best practices and industry standards.
• Evaluate and recommend new security technologies and solutions to enhance the company's security posture.
• Develop and maintain security architecture documentation, including diagrams, standards, and guidelines.
• Lead security design reviews for new projects and initiatives, ensuring security is embedded from the outset.
• Collaborate closely with IT infrastructure, development, and business teams to ensure security requirements are met.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to security engineers and analysts.
• Develop and manage security architecture roadmap and budget.
• Stay current with emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies, and assess their impact on the architecture.
• Ensure architecture compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS, POPIA).

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a security architecture role.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing complex security solutions across hybrid environments (on-premises and cloud).
• In-depth knowledge of network security, identity and access management (IAM), data security, and cloud security principles.
• Experience with security assessment tools, penetration testing methodologies, and threat modeling.
• Familiarity with various security frameworks and compliance standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA, or TOGAF are highly advantageous.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into technical security requirements and solutions.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary package, accompanied by a comprehensive benefits plan including private medical insurance, a robust retirement fund, and annual performance bonuses. Opportunities for professional growth through advanced training and conference attendance are provided. The position is based at our state-of-the-art facility in Cape Town, Western Cape , with excellent transport links. We foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, providing access to leading-edge technology and challenging projects. Long-term disability insurance and a subsidized gym membership are also part of the attractive benefits.