Mission

The Head of Enterprise Cyber Security Architecture is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of cyber security technology choices and reference architectures.

The role is also responsible for enterprise-wide security architecture and coordination of subsidiary architecture teams in promoting adoption of standards throughout the group.

The goal of the role is to enable Santander to become a best in class and globally admired in cyber security to help protect the Group´s 200,000 staff, 120,000,000 clients and around a million systems, devices and appliances globally.

Functions

Key responsibilities include:

Cyber Security Architecture Design Authority

• Provide leadership and decision making for all aspects of security architecture across IT programmers and solutions through forums of subsidiary security architects.
• Act as the design authority over cyber security solutions and projects.
• Oversee technology choices for security controls in partnership with cyber security research and the architecture domains owners for the group.

Cyber Security Architecture Standards

• Oversee technical architecture and security blueprints for the group.
• Development of enterprise-wide security architecture reference architectures which ensure that the application of security is embedded in the IT environment.

Cyber Security Architecture Coordination

• Responsible for the development oversight of software, data and technology platforms that are service-oriented with reusable architectural components that can be orchestrated together into different methods for different businesses.
• Responsible for aligning with cross-functional product & project teams to understand initiatives and ensure success with a cohesive execution plan.
• Align with product owners & customers across the businesses to understand needs & vision; quickly translate that vision into demonstrable execution. Quickly define and deliver working prototypes and MVPs to promote rapid execution
• Enable the adoption of technical standards and blueprints with resource strategy plans.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications include:

• Technical Degree in computer science, engineering or similar.

Location

Based in Madrid.

The role is global in its remit and nature, and due to the exceptional talent required in the team, it is possible that the team will be based across the countries where Santander has operations.

Relocation support to be provided if required for successful candidate

Experience

Successful candidate will be a worldwide recognized strategy leader with a track record in setting up and leading best in class cyber security architecture disciplines across a diverse technology stack.

Required experience and expertise include:

• Track record of cyber security architecture, preferably in banking across a diverse set of technology paradigms.
• Extensive expertise in senior decision making bodies and design authorities in a multinational context.
• Excellent expertise in cyber security and IT architecture.
• Excellent understanding of the cyber threat landscape
• In depth knowledge of information technology and security solutions and frameworks.
• Experienced in developing and managing high performing teams through growing people, nurturing trust in the group and establishing a shared sense of purpose.
• Ability to work under-pressure.
• Ability to inspire engagement in people through leading by example and cultivating a culture of transparency and staff influence.
• Capable of producing high quality output with a strong focus on attention to detail.
• Ability to understand the business context and technology manage uncertainty and apply strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to communicate effectively across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to articulate and communicate intelligence on adversaries, campaigns and threats.
• Strong negotiating, conflict resolution, influencing and stakeholder management skills to ensure effective change management.
• Strong leadership skills to develop and lead a high performing team of experts.
•  Strong problem solving and innovative mind-set to ensure a clear focus on the forward agenda.