Senior Director - Data Management & Security

Job Description

Senior Director of Data Management and Security

The Senior Director of Data Management and Security is responsible for defining, leading, and executing the organization’s enterprise AI adoption, data management, and security strategies. This role combines innovation with oversight of data governance, data quality, and data lifecycle management and includes ownership of data security, data protection controls, and risk management practices.

This leader will ensure that all organizational data—structured and unstructured—is properly classified, protected, monitored, and governed across its lifecycle. They will facilitate discussion within and between department entities regarding the use of and access to company data. The Senior Director will also oversee the use and optimization of Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, and related Microsoft 365 security and compliance platforms to enforce policy, monitor threats, and prevent data loss.

The ideal candidate has deep expertise in data management, cybersecurity practices, and modern cloud security frameworks, including hands-on experience with Microsoft security and compliance technologies.

Reports to: Associate Vice President - Information Technology

Direct Reports: Business Systems Developer, Security Analyst, and other staff as needed.

Duties/Responsibilities: The duties listed below are an outline of the Senior Director’s responsibilities and should not be considered an all-inclusive list. As the needs of the organization change, these duties may be modified as needed.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the enterprise data management and data security strategy, including governance, protection, classification, quality, and lifecycle processes.
• Lead organizational adoption of data stewardship, data literacy, and secure data handling practices including the use of AI and Automated Decision Making Tools (ADMTs).
• Provide executive-level insights and reporting on data initiatives, security posture, risk trends, and compliance readiness.
• Lead data stewardship and data literacy programs to promote effective data usage across the organization.

Data Governance & Management

• Oversee enterprise data architecture, data platforms, and cloud-based data ecosystems.
• Establish and enforce data policies, standards, and procedures aligned with regulatory, contractual, and internal requirements.
• Direct data integration, migration, transformation, and quality initiatives in support of business objectives.
• Collaborate with business leaders to promote data-driven innovation and continuous improvement.

Data Security & Compliance

• Define and oversee the organization's data security framework, ensuring alignment with cybersecurity and information governance standards.
• Implement and manage a comprehensive data classification framework to ensure sensitive data is correctly labeled, handled, and protected.
• Lead the deployment, configuration, and continuous tuning of Microsoft Purview for:
  • Data classification and labeling (sensitivity labels)
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
  • Information protection and governance
  • Insider risk management and auditing
• Lead the deployment and operational use of Microsoft Defender security technologies, including:
  • Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Microsoft Defender for Identity
  • Microsoft Defender for Office 365
• Ensure proactive monitoring, detection, and response to data risks, threats, and security incidents.
• Partner with cybersecurity teams to implement zero-trust security principles across data environments.

Data Loss Prevention & Protection

• Develop and continuously refine the organization's retention and DLP policies across email, endpoints, cloud storage, and enterprise applications in conjunction with the legal team.
• Lead ongoing testing, auditing, and refinement of security controls that prevent unauthorized data access, sharing, or exfiltration.
• Ensure appropriate encryption, access control, retention, and risk mitigation strategies for all data assets.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and mentor the data management and security teams, including business systems, data governance, and security analysts.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and secure-by-design thinking.
• Work closely with IT, cybersecurity, legal, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared ownership of data risk.

Industry Awareness & Innovation

• Track industry trends, emerging threats, cloud capabilities, and evolving best practices in data management and security.
• Recommend, design, and implement modern tools and methodologies that strengthen the organization's data capabilities.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to executive leadership on data initiatives, risks, and opportunities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Science, or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in data management, governance, or cybersecurity roles, with 3+ years in leadership.
• Experience with Microsoft cloud security and compliance platforms (Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview) required.
• Experience with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, Snowflake) preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities.

• Deep understanding of data management, governance frameworks, and data security best practices.
• Strong expertise in data classification, DLP, and cloud security architectures.
• Hands-on experience implementing and managing Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender solutions.
• Experience with the use of AI and Power Platform Tools to automate tasks and provide access to common data.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a highly collaborative environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Travel: May require travel to sites as needed, around 20%

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may infrequently drive a vehicle (intrastate and interstate travel) or be subject to air travel for purposes of Company business.

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Landmark Properties is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.