Director Cybersecurity Engineering & Architecture

Company: Upbound Group Inc.
Location: Plano
Posted on: April 23, 2025

Job Description:

Director Cybersecurity Engineering & Architecture(Plano In-Office)JOB PURPOSE We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Cybersecurity Engineering and Architecture to lead and oversee our cybersecurity engineering and architecture initiatives. This role requires a deep understanding of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), identity and access management (IAM) engineering, implementation of and building secure, scalable infrastructures to protect against cyber threats. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on expertise in both designing and implementing enterprise-level cybersecurity frameworks, as well as experience in vendor management, contract negotiations, and leading Proof of Value (POV) and Proof of Concept (POC) initiatives.ABOUT UPBOUND/ACIMAUpbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD) is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial solutions that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved customers. The Company's customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Acima, Brigit, and Rent-A-Center that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate current and future cyber architecture as it relates to infrastructure and applications, and lead the assessment of new technologies based on industry standards and frameworks.
• Lead and manage a team of cybersecurity engineers and architects, ensuring a strong, efficient, and highly collaborative working environment.
• Provide regular technical guidance and direction to support the business to include engineering teams, product managers, and vendors.
• Develop and execute strategies for cybersecurity engineering, architecture, and design, with a focus on securing hybrid network infrastructures and data.
• Serve as function-wide subject matter expert in one or more areas of application or infrastructure security.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and optimization of IAM solutions, ensuring secure authentication, authorization, and identity governance.
• Architect, deploy, and maintain ZTNA models to ensure secure access control across all systems, applications, and devices, minimizing the risk of insider threats and external attacks.
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate third-party solutions for cybersecurity needs, ensuring the best fit for Upbound's cybersecurity strategy put forth by the CISO.
• Lead contract negotiations with cybersecurity vendors, ensuring favorable terms, SLAs, and compliance with organizational security policies.
• Lead POV initiatives for new cybersecurity tools and technologies, conducting thorough evaluations and testing to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with organizational needs.
• Work with contractors and other third parties to implement cybersecurity technologies.
• Monitor the usage and bandwidth consumption of various cybersecurity technologies to ensure compliance with entitlements.
• Collaborate with other cybersecurity and IT teams to ensure end-to-end protection and compliance with industry standards like NIST, PCI, SOX and proactive threat detection and response.
• Provide leadership in creating, maintaining, and evolving the organization's cybersecurity strategy, aligning it with business objectives and technology evolution.
• Work closely with stakeholders across business operations to address security concerns and help shape security policies and procedures.
• Design and implement security frameworks that support both on-premise and hybrid environments, ensuring robust protection of sensitive data.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance security systems and technologies, staying current with the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and best practices.
• Report to senior leadership on the effectiveness of the cybersecurity architecture and provide strategic recommendations to improve the security posture.REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
• 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity engineering and architecture, with at least 5 years in a manager or director role.
• Strong expertise in Identity and Access Management (IAM) engineering, including IAM platforms such as Okta, Microsoft Entra, or others.
• Proven experience in the design, implementation, and operationalization of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks.
• Extensive experience with vendor management, including evaluating, selecting, and managing relationships with third-party cybersecurity vendors.
• Proven track record of leading contract negotiations, ensuring favorable terms and compliance with organizational security needs.
• Hands-on experience leading Proof of Concept (POC) initiatives for cybersecurity technologies, with the ability to evaluate, test, and provide recommendations for new tools and systems.
• Extensive knowledge of network security, firewalls, encryption, VPNs, and endpoint security.
• Hands-on experience with security controls and protocols, such as Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Privileged Access Management (PAM).
• Strong understanding of risk management, compliance, and governance frameworks related to cybersecurity.
• Ability to think strategically, lead large-scale projects, and provide hands-on leadership in the architecture and implementation of cybersecurity solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Strong background in managing operational (opex) and capital (capex) budgets.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and building a high-performance, results-driven cybersecurity engineering culture.
• Experience with cloud security (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) is desirable.
• Familiarity with application security principles and practices is desirable.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, or similar are highly desirable.EDUCATION
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Security, or a related field. A Master's degree is desirable.
• Relevant certifications or professional training in cybersecurity architecture, IAM, or Zero Trust Network Access.COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
• Competitive Compensation (Base + Bonus + Annual Stock Grant)
• Full Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401(k) Match (6%/3%)
• Discretionary Time Off (DTO)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning
• College tuition reimbursement programThis job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
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Keywords: Upbound Group Inc., Plano , Director Cybersecurity Engineering & Architecture, Engineering , Plano, Texas