Senior Enterprise Security Architect
Dublin, IE
Canada Life Group is the top-level European holding company for the Great-West Lifeco’s European insurance, reinsurance, and asset management companies, with business operations in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and the Isle of Man.
European Technology sits within Canada Life Group and encompasses the technology community across all European entities - Irish Life Group, Canada Life UK, Canada Life Europe as well as Central Technology Services - Europe. European Technology supports the business strategy and collaboration of technology across all European divisions. There are multiple IT units within European Technology, each of which has its own individual set of technology platforms.
European Technology is at an important stage in its evolution. There is a need to bring market leading speed, agility, cost efficiency and risk mitigation to enable the delivery of strategies across the European businesses. To respond to and meet this challenge a new strategy and enabling organisation is being created.
This role can be based in Ireland or the UK. We have embraced a hybrid working model for most of our positions, which means that you can enjoy a balanced approach of working from home for part of the week and working from the office for the remainder of the week.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Head of Enterprise Architecture, this role is being created to enhance the Enterprise Security Architecture practices across all European businesses. The development and rollout of security and risk standards, principles and frameworks and to establish an Enterprise Architecture framework is key to this role.
Working within the framework of the European Technology strategy, the role will create relationships with key senior stakeholders, including lead country Architects and risk leaders to understand business priorities and connect technology with business goals, continuing to drive strategic value in a secure and risk accepted manner that enables business strategies.
Key Accountabilities
1. Responsible for the development and enforcement of Enterprise Architecture Security and Risk Standards, Principles and Frameworks across software development, applications and infrastructure technology
2. Lead the Security and Risk communities of practice and be a key part of the wider communities of practice across all technology areas
3. Evolve and promote new ways of working and emerging technologies across the organization
4. Drive “Security by Design” practices across software development, application and infrastructure technology
5. Lead Enterprise Security and Risk Architecture practices across European business entities within countries, and Shared Services units
6. Partner with senior business and technology stakeholders across Europe to understand the various business entities vision and objectives and ensure Technology strategies have Security and Risk standards built in from concept to completion
7. Devise appropriate multi-phase Security and Risk roadmaps and implementation plans to ensure European business strategies align with Security and Risk principles
8. Promote the adoption of new Security and Risk technologies implemented across Europe through change management (in conjunction with local change management units)
9. Promote a culture of innovation and related practices and use of emerging Security technologies across the organization, working closely with local and shared delivery groups
10. Key contributor to the European Technology annual planning and budgeting process and oversight of significant IT budgets
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• 10+ years of network / security engineering with progressive responsibilities
• A proven track record in working effectively as part of a team within formal project management methodologies and processes
• Design experience and have participated as the technical lead in the delivery of infrastructure and software solutions, and be able to reference successful implementations
• Possess professional Cloud, Security & Networking certification
• Broad technical knowledge of a range of Application and Infrastructure disciplines across Storage/Compute/Network for on-prem and experience in working on delivery of Cloud solutions in addition to Cyber Security is an essential
• Expert level of knowledge of IT security Architecture
• Deep knowledge and understanding of IT Security and Risk
• Exposure to environment with Board and regulatory oversight
• Excellent commercial acumen and ability to translate business objectives into IT strategy and roadmaps through to implementation
• Proven leadership track record; builds inclusive high performing cultures based on core values
• Direct experience with financial management issues and activities, preparing budgets and forecasts based on operational requirements
• Experienced Change Agent – with experience leading organisations through strategic change and innovation cycles
• Strong knowledge of security products and service life cycles
• Telecoms knowledge and experience an advantage
• Degree in Engineering, Business Administration or a technology-related field, or equivalent work or education-related experience. Master’s Degree is a plus
Behavioural Competencies
• Outward focus: Understands the business environment and internal/external customer needs, and identifies business opportunities that create a competitive advantage
• Drive Innovation: Creates an environment that encourages new approaches, challenges the status quo and inspires creativity and risk-taking while protecting the core
• Develop Talent: Attracts, motivates, and develops talent to build the right team to meet strategic direction and tomorrow’s needs.
• Build collaborative partnerships: Able to foster collaborative relationships across functions and business to facilitate cooperation and information exchanges that improve customer and business outcomes
• Lead the organisation forward: Inspires a vision that adapts to new realities, articulating meaningful expectations, and creating clear pathways to desired outcomes
• Execute for results: Drives results and contributes to change processes that improve organisational performance and creates a culture of accountability
• Functional/Technical: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment. Demonstrates active interest and ability to enhance and apply new functional skills
• Risk control and regulatory environment: Understands and manages effectively all potential material risks (to the business and to customers) that are relevant to the role, following agreed processes. Understands the regulatory environment of the business
• Commercial Awareness: Understands and manages business conflicts to ensure the effective utilisation of business resources to prioritise delivery outcomes.
The company reserves the right to draw up a shortlist as part of the selection process. Where Agency assistance is required the Canada Life Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Canada Life by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.
Canada Life Group Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. We have created an environment of inclusion and growth to help people achieve their potential, to ensure they can bring their whole selves to work and to feel valued. We celebrate diversity of thought and perspective and want all of our employees to feel valued, respected and supported. We have built a culture that promotes equality and inclusion for all of our current and future employees and strive to ensure that our behaviours, processes and practices are aligned to this culture.
If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process please contact lifecareers@irishlife.ie and we will be delighted to ensure you are fully supported to be your best.
CLGS supports Equal Opportunity and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland