Data Security Specialist

Job Description:

At Piper Sandler, we connect capital with opportunity to build a better future.

Piper Sandler is a leading institutional middle market investment bank serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. The firm focuses on financial advisory and capital markets that win through deep sector expertise, candid advice, and a differentiated, highly productive culture—enabling growth and success for our clients while rewarding careers for our employees.

We are seeking a Data Security Specialist to join the Information Risk Management (IRM) group in Minneapolis, MN or New York, NY.

This key position will report to the Director of Information Security and be responsible for defining and enforcing data governance policies and standards, with a primary focus on the discovery, classification and protection of unstructured data. Beyond strategic leadership, the Data Governance Specialist will possess hands-on technical expertise to manage, maintain and optimize the platforms, technologies, and solutions that underpin our data governance and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) programs. The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between business requirements and technical implementation, helping establish a culture of data protection, accountability, and trust.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive data governance framework, including policies, standards, and processes for data classification, data privacy, data security, data retention, data handling, information lifecycle management with a focus on unstructured data
• Set the standard for data governance and data protection and formalize best practices for adoption across business lines and corporate functions.
• Own and manage the firm’s DLP platform, including the deployment and tuning of DLP policies that serve as the enforcement mechanism for the IRM program.
• Provide data governance expertise to strategic projects, business initiatives and operational changes
• Identify and shape continuous improvement opportunities and recommendations that enable data to better serve the growing business while reducing information risk
• Provide thought leadership for data governance, data protection, and data health with business lines
• Act as a primary point of contact for data governance, information classification, DLP, and data protection-related inquiries
• Lead data remediation efforts working with data owners and technical teams to resolve data exposure, improper handling, retention, classification, and policy compliance issues
• Research, evaluate, and recommend new data governance, discovery, classification, and DLP technologies that can enhance the program's efficiency and effectiveness
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of data governance program
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, security, and business units to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA) and internal policies
• Work with product and engineering leadership, key stakeholders, data owners, and data stewards to build consensus through effective communication of well-analyzed business cases and supporting materials

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in data governance, information protection, data security, privacy, or related data operations within a fast-paced, dynamically growing organization

• Strong knowledge of data-driven processes, products, technology, and controls in an enterprise setting

• Track record of leading data governance, data protection, DLP, or information risk initiatives across business and technology functions
• Experience establishing and managing a new data governance function and data capabilities
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with data governance and DLP platforms and tools
• Experience developing, implementing, tuning, and maintaining DLP policies and detection rules across multiple data sources
• Working knowledge of data classification, information lifecycle management, data retention, access controls, privacy principles, and incident response
• Expert problem solver with the ability to identify and triage data protection issues and drive tactical and strategic solutions
• Strong communication and influencing skills with partners and peers at all levels of the organization
• Strategic thinker with the ability to recognize and take actions which maximize value and reduce risk for the organization

As a leading investment bank, we enable growth and success for our clients through deep sector expertise, candid advice and a differentiated, highly productive culture.

Our human capital, technology, marketing and other corporate support teams work with our business partners to maximize each employee. We understand the dynamic nature of the industry and work alongside our company strategies. Learn more about our firm here. 

Piper Sandler values a strong culture dedicated to the emotional and physical well-being of our employees. Learn more about our commitment to our employee’s health, well-being, our benefits program and how we are here for our employees and their families today, tomorrow and beyond here.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran or status with regard to public assistance. 

The anticipated starting salary range for individuals expressing interest in this position is $100,000 - $200,000 per year.  Placement within this range is dependent upon level of experience, location and other factors.  This position is eligible for annual incentive compensation which will be a part of the total compensation. Total compensation for this position will be competitive with the market.

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