Senior Director of Security Architecture and Engineering

As the Senior Director of Security Architecture and Engineering, you will lead the strategic design and implementation of enterprise-wide security solutions, ensuring the protection of critical assets in an increasingly complex threat landscape for Yum! and each of our Brands. This role is pivotal in shaping the organization’s security posture, driving innovation, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to safeguard systems, networks, and data. Partnering closely with executive leadership, technology teams, and key stakeholders, you will establish robust security frameworks, enhance resilience, and enable business objectives through proactive risk management. If you are a visionary security leader with a passion for building scalable, forward-thinking security strategies, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership:

o Define and execute the vision, strategy, and roadmap for security architecture and engineering across enterprise services (e.g., HR, ERP, finance), custom-built platforms, and cybersecurity tools.

o Serve as a trusted advisor to the CISO and executive leadership on security architecture and engineering matters.

o Promote alignment between security initiatives and business objectives, integrating security into the platform P&L.

2. Platform and Application Security:

o Establish secure design and engineering standards for Yum’s custom platforms, including ecommerce, restaurant management systems, and other brand-specific technologies.

o Collaborate with product and platform teams to incorporate security-by-design principles into the development lifecycle.

o Ensure secure architecture for enterprise services, ensuring data protection, compliance, and operational resilience.

3. Cybersecurity Tools Architecture:

o Lead the design and implementation of Yum’s cybersecurity tools platform, enabling efficient threat detection, prevention, and response.

o Evaluate and integrate emerging security technologies that align with the company’s strategic and operational needs.

4. Network Security:

o Oversee the architecture and engineering of network security for cloud-based and on-premise infrastructure, including restaurant connectivity.

o Develop and implement strategies to secure internal and external network communication, ensuring scalability and reliability.

5. Governance and Compliance:

o Ensure all security architecture and engineering initiatives align with NIST frameworks and industry standards.

o Partner with GRC and other teams to support compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, SOX).

6. Team Development and Collaboration:

o Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Security Architecture and Engineering team.

o Foster collaboration across security, IT, and business units to deliver innovative and secure solutions.

o Drive a culture of continuous improvement, emphasizing security awareness and operational excellence.

7. Risk Management:

o Identify and mitigate risks associated with enterprise and custom platforms, ensuring secure, sustainable operations.

o Collaborate with the Security Operations Team to analyze and address vulnerabilities and incidents proactively.

 

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

· 10+ years of experience in security architecture and engineering leadership roles, with a focus on large-scale enterprise and custom-built platforms.

· Proven expertise in designing and implementing secure architectures for enterprise applications, networks, and cybersecurity tools.

· Deep understanding of NIST frameworks, cloud security best practices, and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, SOX).

· Strong knowledge of modern technology stacks, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), APIs, and microservices.

· Experience with DevSecOps practices, secure coding, and CI/CD pipeline integration.

· Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

· Industry certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, SABSA, TOGAF) are highly desirable.

 

Key Competencies

· Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to align security goals with business strategies.

· Leadership: Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams.

· Collaboration: Strong ability to partner with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, business-aligned solutions.

· Problem-Solving: Skilled in addressing complex security challenges in dynamic environments.

· Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, global organization with diverse stakeholders.

 

Salary Range: $226,300 to $266,400 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Benefits: Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan). Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan. Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, a floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year. To learn more about working at Yum! -Click here. 

At Yum!, one of our core values is to Believe in ALL People. This means seeing the value in everyone and unlocking their full potential to be their best self. YUM! Brands, Inc. (including its subsidiaries Yum Restaurant Services Group, LLC (“YRSG”) and Yum Connect, LLC (“Yum Digital and Technology”)(collectively, “Yum”) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Yum! is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.

US Job Seekers/Employees - Click here to view the “Know Your Rights” poster and supplement and the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

 

This posting will be open for a minimum of two weeks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected.

Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos -- KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill -- on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official career pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.

Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 55,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the company’s concepts – KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill. The Company's KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the chicken, Mexican-style food, and pizza categories, respectively. The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more. In 2023, the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands were ranked in the top five of Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises Ranking. In addition, in 2023 Yum! Brands was included on the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index; Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity; and Newsweek’s lists recognizing America’s Most Responsible Companies, America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, the Company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America.

As the world's largest restaurant company, we have a clear and compelling mission: to build the world's most loved, trusted, and fastest-growing restaurant brands. The key and not-so-secret ingredient in our recipe for growth is our unrivaled culture and talent, which fuels our results. To that end, we're looking for talented, motivated, team-oriented individuals to join us and have the opportunity be your best, have fun, make friends, and make a positive impact.

We are excited about the future growth of our brands. In fact, as a company we are opening an average of 8 restaurants a day worldwide! This growth creates endless opportunities for professional, as well as personal growth.  Customer sentiment and love for our brands is the fuel for our excitement!  Taco Bell has been named one of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company. Pizza Hut delivers more pizzas than any other pizza company in the world, KFC's still uses its 75-year-old finger-lickin' good recipe, including secret herbs and spices to hand-bread its chicken every day, and the Habit Burger Grill is looking to expand its regional footprint across the country.

The Senior Director of Security Architecture and Engineering will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security, resilience, and scalability of Yum Brands' key platforms, encompassing both enterprise third-party solutions and custom-built platforms used across our brands. This leader will be responsible for designing and implementing strategies that integrate security into the core of our platforms and services, enabling business success while ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. The role also oversees the architecture and engineering of Yum’s cybersecurity tools platform, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives and risk posture.