Director, Cyber Governance

About USC

The University of Southern California is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. USC is a world-class research institution building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission.

Position Summary

Director, Cyber Governance will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department, collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem and reporting to the Chief Information Security Officer. This is a full-time exempt position, hybrid work available, with benefits and perks.

The Director, Cyber Governance oversees the governance training and performance management functions, and is accountable for the university\'s security training and awareness, cybersecurity governance, and reporting of security metrics. The role manages relationships with key stakeholders across the university and leads a team of Information Security Officers and governance staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the governance team\'s operations to ensure procedures, resources, and services effectively support staff, faculty, and student success and align with university goals.
• Plan, budget, and direct governance activities.
• Oversee metrics gathering and reporting across cybersecurity domains and monitor the effectiveness of the cybersecurity function.
• Determine alignment to industry standards and university frameworks; monitor continuous improvement of services and capabilities.
• Direct the development, delivery, and approval coordination of security training and campaign materials across university functions. Manage policy, standards, and exceptions management; coordinate with professional and managed service teams.
• Oversee Information Security Officers team and foster collaboration with university stakeholders on cross-functional cybersecurity engagement.
• Define roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity governance, including establishing governance bodies as needed.
• Represent the function on governance councils where applicable.
• Provide security risk management consulting from a cyber governance perspective for key stakeholders.
• Align security initiatives with business objectives.
• Manage staff aspects including hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, and promotions within the Cyber Governance organization; provide technical leadership and mentorship.
• Promote a workplace culture aligned with USC values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in governance, risk and compliance, team management, and security frameworks.
• Bachelor’s degree in information science, computer science, computer engineering, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• In-depth knowledge of industry standards, regulations, and developments (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF).

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 years of related experience.
• Ability to gain government and/or university security clearance (as required).
• Understanding of key governance concepts (security training/awareness, policy management) and risk management concepts (cybersecurity consulting, third-party management, software security, security architecture).
• Experience forming/executing cybersecurity governing bodies in an enterprise environment.
• Demonstrated management skills (coaching, mentoring, communicating with personnel up to C-level).
• Ability to coordinate with managed and professional service teams.
• Relevant experience in large or federated university-like enterprises; ability to build relationships with university schools, units, and hospitals.
• Ability to design, evaluate, and continually improve security functions and review processes.
• Strong management skills with delegation and clear guidance.
• Proficient in executing and managing governance and risk management technologies and processes.
• Ability to balance multiple responsibilities with strong problem-solving and a customer-centric mindset.

Salary and Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is $245,892.64 to $271,657.61. USC considers factors such as responsibilities, experience, education/training, skills, internal alignment, legal and contractual considerations, and market conditions in offers. USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks as part of the total rewards package. Learn more about USC benefits here.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Higher Education