Data Security Architect – AI Governance & Controls at Top Talent

Data Security Architect – AI Governance & ControlsCompany: $50B Publicly Traded CompanyLocation: Chicagoland Area (Hybrid)Type: Full-Time Job OverviewThe Data Security Architect is a strategic, business-facing security leader responsible for ensuring that AI capabilities are implemented securely, responsibly, and in alignment with enterprise data protection standards. This role bridges security architecture, data governance, and AI risk oversight helping the business understand what AI components actually do, how they interact with sensitive data, and where risks emerge as tools evolve.You will partner closely with business executives, engineering teams, and security leadership to evaluate proposed AI use cases, clarify ambiguous requirements, and ensure AI functionality is properly scoped, controlled, and monitored. As AI capabilities within enterprise tools expand, you will lead a team responsible for validating that deployments remain within approved guardrails, identifying unauthorized feature drift, and reassessing risks across data handling, model behavior, system integrations, and third-party dependencies.This is not a development or model-training role. It is a security architecture position requiring the ability to translate complex AI and data-security concepts into clear guidance for senior business leaders, ensuring that AI is used safely, ethically, and in compliance with internal and regulatory requirements. Key ResponsibilitiesAI Governance & Risk AssessmentEvaluate proposed AI and GenAI use cases for data sensitivity, privacy risk, and security controlsTranslate ambiguous or high-level business concepts into clear, assessable technical requirementsEnsure all AI components operate within approved data-access, retention, and usage boundariesIdentify shifts in AI tool functionality (“AI drift”), feature expansions, or new integrations and reassess risk accordinglyValidate AI vendors meet enterprise security, encryption, and data-handling standardsData Security Architecture & Controls DesignArchitect secure data-flow patterns for AI tools, ensuring encryption, access controls, segregation of duties, and logging are properly implementedDesign guardrails and technical controls to prevent unintended data exposure or unauthorized AI behaviorPartner with cloud, infrastructure, and enterprise architecture teams to integrate AI solutions securelySupport implementation of data-classification standards for AI-enabled applicationsBusiness Enablement & CommunicationTranslate technical AI functionality into clear, non-technical business languageEducate leaders on AI risks, limitations, capabilities, and compliance requirementsServe as the security advisor for departments adopting AI-enabled tools or workflowsProvide decision-ready recommendations to senior executives regarding AI risk acceptance or mitigation RequirementsBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Cybersecurity, or related fieldProven experience in data security architecture, encryption, identity & access management, and secure system integrationsStrong knowledge of AI and language-model behavior, including ability to evaluate enterprise AI applicability, data-flow implications, and riskDemonstrated ability to partner with business stakeholders to gather, interpret, and translate high-level requirements into secure architectural guidanceExceptional communication skills, capable of presenting complex concepts to executive, technical, and non-technical audiencesExperience supporting large-scale, highly regulated environments preferred (financial services, healthcare, or public companies) BenefitsComprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life InsuranceTraditional and Roth 401(k) with competitive company matchAdditional programs supporting well-being and work-life balanceAnd much more! Compensation$160,000 – $200,000 base salary, plus annual performance bonus eligibility.Final compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and skills.