Description
Within Enterprise Technology & Security (ETS), the Data, AI and Emerging Technology Risk Principal Analyst drives the strategic identification, assessment, and mitigation of technology-related risks, playing a key role in safeguarding the organization's information assets. This senior individual contributor position operates with significant autonomy, working across technology and business teams to shape risk practices, advance control effectiveness, and ensure alignment with Cybersecurity Risk Institute (CRI) Profile, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST 800-53, and other applicable frameworks. The Principal Analyst serves as a subject matter expert whose insights directly influence the bank's technology risk posture and risk management strategy. Principal Risk Analysts solve complex problems, take broad perspectives to solve problems innovatively and may lead projects with moderate resource requirements, risk and/or complexity. Cross-functional leadership and development across junior contributors are a key feature of this senior role.
Responsibilities
Lead the proactive identification, assessment, and monitoring of technology and cybersecurity risks across systems, applications, infrastructure, and services, applying industry‑recognized frameworks such as CRI, NIST CSF and NIST 800‑53.
Execute and oversee complex Risk and Control Self Assessments (RCSAs), risk assessments, targeted risk reviews, and control adequacy evaluations, providing challenge and expert recommendations on risk treatment and remediation strategies.
Serve as a subject matter expert for technology risk during internal audits, regulatory examinations, and supervisory inquiries, leading issue analysis, response development, and corrective action execution.
Analyze and synthesize risk and security data from enterprise platforms and monitoring tools to identify systemic trends, emerging risks, and control gaps, translating findings into strategic insights for leadership.
Partner closely with senior technology, engineering, cybersecurity, compliance, and business leaders to evaluate risk associated with new and existing platforms, infrastructure, and initiatives.
Oversee third‑party technology risk activities for high‑risk or complex service provider relationships within assigned domains.
Develop and deliver clear, executive‑level risk reporting and presentations, effectively communicating risk posture, trends, and remediation priorities to senior management and governance forums.
Contribute to the continuous enhancement of risk frameworks, methodologies, policies, and governance processes to strengthen overall risk maturity.
Mentor and coach analysts at varying levels, fostering strong risk judgment, analytical rigor, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements, emerging threats, and industry trends, proactively advising leadership on risk impacts and control enhancements.
Champion initiatives that strengthen the organization's risk posture and promote a proactive, risk‑aware culture across the enterprise.
Team-Specific Requirements
Preferred Domain-Specific Technical Skills
Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
Experience with analytics platforms, storage solutions, data protection methodologies, data platforms, ETL, data transmission, data loss prevention, endpoint security practices, and cyber recovery practices, e.g. Tableau, Webfocus, APIs and Microservices based development, Talend, Informatica, Kafka, Spark, Autosys, Airflow, Java, Hadoop, Redshift, Starburst, Databricks, Tessell, MongoAtlas, Snowflake, OCI, AWS RDS, etc.)
Proficiency with data governance, security and other telemetry tools such as Collibra, Grafana, Datadog, Qualys, Wiz, CyberArk, or Splunk
Experience with continuous integration, continuous delivery, agile and devsecops pipelines, including data engineering sub-pipelines and related tools (e.g. Nexus, Jenkins, Harness, Fortify, EKS, Openshift, etc.)
Knowledge of AI/ML platform tools such as Bedrock, Sagemaker, H2O.ai, MLflow, etc.
Preferred Team-Specific Tools & Platforms
ServiceNow, Jira, Confluence, or other ITSM/collaboration platforms
GRC Archer, WDesk, or other risk and compliance platforms
Experience & Skills
Required:
7-10 years of progressive experience in IT risk management, information security, or internal audit, with demonstrated leadership in complex risk environments.
Deep expertise in control frameworks including CRI Profile, NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, COBIT, and/or ITIL, and the ability to apply them strategically.
Proven ability to lead risk assessments, control testing programs, and regulatory response activities independently.
Advanced proficiency with GRC platforms (e.g., Archer), security monitoring tools (e.g., Splunk, Qualys, Wiz), and data analysis tools (e.g., Tableau, Grafana, Excel).
Strong executive communication skills; ability to present risk findings persuasively to senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
Track record of influencing risk practices and driving meaningful improvements in control environments.
Ability to operate independently and manage complex, multi-stakeholder workstreams.
Preferred:
Experience in a regulated financial institution with familiarity with OCC, Federal Reserve, or FDIC supervisory expectations.
Background in cloud infrastructure risk, cyber resilience, or enterprise architecture risk.
Experience designing or significantly improving risk management programs or frameworks.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Business, or a related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
One or more of the following certifications are preferred:
CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
PMI-RMP (Risk Management Professional)
AWS Solutions Architect or Microsoft Azure Administrator
Hours & Work Schedule
Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent's reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.