Manager, Cybersecurity Architecture

Job Description

Southern Company Cybersecurity

Manager, Cybersecurity Architecture

Job Description

External Job Description: Sr. Manager, Cybersecurity Architecture

Schedule: M-F

Location: Atlanta or Birmingham

Position Summary:

Southern Company is seeking a dynamic and experienced cybersecurity leader to serve as the Enterprise Cybersecurity Architecture Manager. This role will lead the design, development, and deployment of secure technology solutions across the enterprise, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and regulatory requirements. The candidate will directly support the company's efforts to mitigate real and potential cyber threats to the company's facilities, personnel, technology, operations, and brand - including critical electric and gas utility infrastructure and its privately owned telecommunications network. Positioned between executive leadership and technical delivery, this manager will drive large-scale cybersecurity initiatives, mentor technical team members, and serve as a key contributor to the company's security roadmap.

This role will be a multifaceted position leading multiple different disciplines. These disciplines/teams include:

• Network and Platform Cybersecurity Architecture
• Cloud and Application Cybersecurity Architecture
• Enterprise Cybersecurity AI (Artificial Intelligence) Architecture

The leader in this space will drive large scale projects on time, in scope, and on budget that align with business goals. Including the design, build, and deployment for new transformative and lifecycle projects.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a passion for building secure, scalable, and resilient systems across traditional, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. The candidate will require a proven track record of driving initiatives via influence and relationships into business processes, keep up with current security trends, be focused on driving results and business value, and be a self-starter

Job Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate leadership focused on building, inspiring, and developing outstanding teams.
• Construct and carry out a strategic vision for rigorous and scalable security controls with key performance indicators.
• Lead enterprise-wide cybersecurity architecture efforts across cloud, application, network, data, and endpoint domains.
• Translate strategic cybersecurity goals into actionable architecture and execution plans.
• Oversee and mentor a team of architects responsible for domain-specific security architecture.
• Design and deploy secure, scalable solutions that support business enablement and risk reduction.
• Collaborate with business units, technical teams, and leadership to ensure architectural decisions enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
• Develop and maintain architecture standards, patterns, and guardrails for secure technology adoption.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and trends to inform future-state architecture and innovation.
• Ensure architectural compliance with regulatory frameworks (e.g., NIST, OWASP, NERC, PCI, ISO).
• Support secure integration of AI technologies and automation into enterprise platforms.
• Partner with the Cyber Business Alignment/BISO team to align architectural decisions with business unit needs and risk posture.
• Contribute to the development of Southern Company's cybersecurity roadmap and maturity model.
• Lead architecture components of major cybersecurity projects from concept through implementation.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships and partnerships across the Technology Organization functions, business partners, and external vendors and suppliers.
• Create an environment that fosters accountability, innovation, and engagement at all levels.
• Act as a student of the business and technology, anticipating future needs and shifts in technology and energy industries.
• Appreciate and leverage the valuable inputs that come from diverse backgrounds and individual differences.

Requirements and qualifications:

Minimum

• Proven experience leading architecture efforts for large-scale enterprise projects.
• 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity architecture or engineering.
• Strong understanding of cloud security (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or OCI), application security, and infrastructure design.
• Familiarity with IAM, PKI, SSO, MFA, and secure API integration.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and business audiences.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.
• Ability to mentor technical staff and foster a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Knowledge of AI/ML security concepts and ethical considerations.
• Must pass NERC CIP & Insider Threat Protection background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with security tools such as SIEM, HSM, NGFW, DLP, and code analysis platforms.
• Familiarity with threat modeling, risk assessment, and secure design principles.
• Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform certifications preferred.
• Experience with secure CI/CD pipelines, container security, and cloud posture management.
• Competency in APIs (Rest, Graph) and/or JavaScript/JSON/Kubernetes/SQL.
• Industry certifications such as: CISSP, CCSP, CISA, GIAC, OSCP, CRISC, CCNP, etc.
• Experience with information security frameworks such as: COBIT, NIST, OWASP, etc.
• Familiarity with nation state, sophisticated criminal, and supply chain threats.
• Up-to-date knowledge of current hacking techniques, vulnerability disclosures, and data breach incidents.
• Working knowledge of cloud and traditional security network architectures.
• Experience with cybersecurity analysis and analytic tradecraft.

About Us

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonawards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

About the Team

Southern Company Services