Senior Director - Data Management & Security

Landmark Properties•Atlanta, GA

10d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Science, or a related field.
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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, Snowflake) preferred.
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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.