VP, Security Engineering Programs & Controls

Synchrony Bank is seeking a VP, Security Engineering Programs & Controls to lead the modernization of their Information Security Engineering control landscape. This role involves ensuring comprehensive control coverage and standardization across Security Engineering functions while integrating Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) into program execution.

Responsibilities:

• Assess and create a vision for strengthening the GRC practices of Security Engineering including but not limited to publication of security controls, authoring and/or revision of ancillary documentation (e.g., Synchrony Policies, Standards, and Procedures), and evidence-gathering practices
• Advocate for and facilitate the integration of GRC into Security Engineering programs
• Partner with Risk Managers and Governance personnel to ensure organizational alignment
• Build and maintain a Security Engineering control library mapped to enterprise risks and frameworks (e.g., NIST/FFIEC/PCI as applicable)
• Standardize evidence requirements, retention, and automation opportunities (e.g., GRC tooling, CI/CD artifacts, logging sources)
• Partner on control testing/assurance activities (design/operating effectiveness), including periodic reviews and control health metrics
• Prioritize and align security objectives with the controls necessary for risk mitigation and operational efficiency
• Lead and manage cross-functional information security engineering initiatives
• Provide executive-ready communications and influence decisions through data and risk-based narratives
• Coordinate project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to ensure program milestones are met. Establish and run a Security Engineering program governance cadence (steering, RAID, milestone reviews)
• Drive consistent delivery artifacts: charters, business cases (as needed), integrated plans, RAID logs, comms plans
• Build strong collaborative relationships with security engineers, architects, compliance teams, and business partners to drive program success
• Act as a key liaison between technical teams and business units, facilitating communication and consensus without direct authority
• Develop and maintain program documentation including roadmaps, status reports, risk registers, and post-mortem analyses
• Monitor project progress, identify and mitigate risks and blockers, escalating issues strategically when needed
• Stay informed on emerging information security technologies and industry trends to provide context and guidance for program direction
• Advocate for best practices in security engineering project execution and contribute to continuous improvement of program management processes
• Drive initiatives with strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving mindset
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred; in lieu of a degree, minimum 6 years of relevant experience will be considered
• 5+ years of program or project management experience in information security or IT engineering environments
• Awareness and conceptual understanding of information security technologies such as data protection, encryption, or data protection
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional technology teams, including engineers, architects, and compliance professionals
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or similar project management certification is a plus
• Fundamental understanding and Governance, Risk, and Compliance concepts, such as correlation of controls to registered risks
• Familiarity with regulatory / compliance frameworks such as NIST, CRI, FFIEC, and PCI DSS
• Solid understanding of information security concepts and emerging technologies, including cryptography, data protection, and endpoint security
• Demonstrated success managing complex technology programs in cybersecurity or related technical fields
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams and stakeholders without direct reporting lines
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, capable of managing competing priorities effectively
• Experience with agile and traditional project management methodologies and tools
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Keen problem-solving, analytical skills, and a proactive approach to driving project outcomes