Security Manager – Security Architecture & Data Protection CalSAWS

We’re looking for an experienced Security Manager
- Security Architecture & Data Protection to shift security left and shape how security is designed across applications, cloud, integrations, and data. Do you have the technical expertise to evaluate cloud architecture, application designs, integrations, data flows, and emerging technologies while translating complex security risks into practical recommendations? Are you ready to help CalSAWS strengthen enterprise security and protect sensitive data across one of the nation’s largest public-sector technology environments?

The Security Manager – Security Architecture & Data Protection reports to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and plays a critical role in strengthening the CalSAWS enterprise security program by ensuring security is incorporated into technology, applications, data, and business processes from the start.

This position leads security architecture reviews for new and changing technologies, evaluates security risks and design decisions, and establishes effective controls to protect sensitive information. The Security Manager partners closely with innovation, application, infrastructure, security, and business teams to advance secure-by-design practices and strengthen CalSAWS' enterprise data protection capabilities.

• Be an experienced security professional who can operate comfortably at both the architectural and enterprise governance levels.
• Have hands-on experience conducting security architecture and design reviews for complex enterprise systems.
• Be comfortable reviewing cloud architecture, challenging application designs, evaluating identity and integration patterns, and discussing data flows with engineers.
• Bring strong expertise in enterprise data protection, including DSPM, DLP, Insider Risk, data discovery, and classification.
• Possess a strong understanding of authentication and authorization, encryption, key and secret management, network security, least privilege, logging and monitoring, vulnerability management, and secure software development.
• Understand privacy-by-design principles, including data minimization, appropriate use, retention, transparency, and sharing constraints.
• Effectively translate complex security risks and technical findings into clear, practical recommendations for leadership and business partners.
• Demonstrate strong judgment when balancing security requirements with operational, technical, and delivery considerations.
• Be highly organized and capable of managing multiple concurrent reviews, requests, risks, and stakeholder relationships.
• Communicate clearly and concisely through decision logs, technical summaries, recommendations, and audit- or client-ready documentation.
• Thrive in a collaborative environment requiring partnership across security, technology, procurement, compliance, and business teams.
• Be motivated by creating a culture in which security and data protection are incorporated into technology decisions from the start.

• CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, CDPSE, CIPM, or equivalent security certifications
• GIAC certifications
• Security+ or equivalent
• Cloud security certifications
• AWS Security Architect or equivalent

All positions may be subject to some short-term travel in order to conduct project business with the state and counties. The CalSAWS project office is currently located in Gold River, California.

The California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) is the largest county-based human services system in the nation. In June 2019, all 58 California counties formed the CalSAWS Consortium as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to govern system operations and represent the collective interests…