Principal Information Security Strategist

Description Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on! We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way. We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package: Competitive pay with bonus opportunities Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance Relocation assistance Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed. Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP PLEASE NOTE: SPP is not able to sponsor employment visas or student-work authorizations (STEM OPT) for this position. Please ensure you are eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship prior to applying. COMPENSATION INFORMATION The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process. Principal Information Security Strategist| Pay Range: $ 128.950.00 - $ 167,640.00 Join SPP as the Principal Information Security Strategist – Build the Future of IT Cyber Security Solutions Are you a strategic cybersecurity leader ready to shape the future of enterprise security? We’re looking for a Principal Information Security Strategist to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced cyber defense strategies that protect critical information assets and support organizational goals. In this highly visible role, you’ll serve as a trusted security advisor and technical expert, collaborating across IT teams to develop long-term solutions that strengthen our cybersecurity posture. You’ll drive innovation, guide enterprise security direction, and ensure compliance with FERC/NERC requirements. What You'll Do: Define and implement long-term cybersecurity strategies aligned with business objectives, such as zero-trust.. Design and lead implementation of security controls and solutions to protect enterprise systems and applications. Collaborate with IT and architecture teams to ensure infrastructure and application security meet organizational standards. Evaluate and recommend new technologies and tools that enhance cyber resilience. Identify security threats and vulnerabilities, assess risk, and develop mitigation strategies. Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. Review IT projects and system designs for adherence to security standards. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving cyber threats, tools, and best practices. Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and knowledge transfer to IT teams. Represent the organization in technical committees, working groups, and industry collaborations. To be successful as a Principal Information Security Strategist, candidates should have: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or a related field. In lieu of a degree, two additional years of relevant professional experience beyond the experience requirements listed below may be considered. Experience: Twelve (12) plus years of applicable IT experience relating to systems architecture, design, development, and deployment Strong knowledge of network security, cloud platforms, application security, and zero trust principles Strong leadership skills Expert written and oral communication skills Knowledge of security architecture evaluation principles, practices, and guidelines Expert analytical and problem solving abilities Ability to grasp the concepts of compliance with SPP Policies and Procedures Preferred: Certifications such as CISSP, ISSAP/ISSMP, CRISC, and SANS Familiarity with frameworks; NIST, ISO2700 Familiarity with compliance and regulatory frameworks; NERC CIP Standards, SOC1 Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. Physical Demands: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve. The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds. Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Understanding of compliance with and enforcement of SPP Policies and Procedures Position Type, Location, and Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, hybrid onsite position based in Little Rock, Arkansas (Central Arkansas). The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours as needed. Travel Requirement: This position requires minimal travel (approximately 10%). SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool .