Advancement Data Trust and Cybersecurity Manager

USF Advancement connects the university with donors who want to make a difference by providing philanthropic support to promote student success, research, academic excellence and other strategic priorities. With an endowment that now exceeds $700 million in value, our dedicated team of approximately 200 professionals, including 60 fundraisers, encompasses alumni, development and foundation operations.

The team is responsible for raising more than $150 million annually and has broken records year after year with more than $184 million raised in fiscal year 2025.

The Data Trust and Cybersecurity Manager provides centralized ownership and accountability for cybersecurity, data governance, compliance, and responsible use of intelligence across Advancement technology solutions.

This role ensures that as data, platforms, automation, and AI capabilities expand, Advancement can innovate with confidence while protecting donor information, maintaining compliance, and preserving trust.

This position establishes guardrails rather than barriers. Working closely with Central IT, Legal, Information Security, and Advancement leadership, the role develops practical governance, security, and compliance practices that enable responsible use of technology, data, and intelligence across the division.

This is a senior individual contributor role responsible for Advancement-specific governance execution, cybersecurity oversight, audit readiness, and stewardship of the division's data trust program.

Employees of USF Advancement live out the values of responsibility, innovation, service, and excellence in each of its highly collaborative departments. We use trusted data and ethical AI to enhance decision-making, strengthen engagement, and enable our teams to focus on what matters most: relationships and impact.

Responsibilities

Lead Advancement’s technology governance, cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance efforts to protect sensitive constituent and donor information while enabling innovation. This role oversees technology risk management, security strategy, audit readiness, responsible AI practices, and vendor risk assessments in partnership with Central IT, Information Security, Legal, and university stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain governance, cybersecurity, and risk management programs for Advancement technologies, data platforms, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Ensure the security, integrity, privacy, and responsible use of Advancement data through effective governance, access management, and compliance practices.
• Lead audit readiness activities, including policy management, documentation, evidence collection, remediation tracking, and regulatory compliance support.
• Establish and promote responsible AI standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, data protection, and appropriate oversight of AI tools and intelligent technologies.
• Evaluate technology vendors and platforms for security, privacy, compliance, and data governance risks.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and liaison between Advancement, Central IT, Information Security, Legal, Internal Audit, and institutional leadership on governance, cybersecurity, compliance, and data stewardship matters.
• Provide cybersecurity awareness, training, and guidance to strengthen organizational security and reduce risk across the division.
• This position plays a critical role in safeguarding Advancement’s most sensitive information assets while fostering responsible innovation, operational excellence, and institutional trust.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree -OR- equivalent combination of education and related experience and 5+ years of related experience is required.

Preference wil be given to the candidate with experience leading or supporting cybersecurity, data governance, compliance, risk management, or data trust initiatives or experience in higher education, Advancement, nonprofit, healthcare, financial services, or similarly regulated environments.

Experience with Microsoft security, compliance, and governance technologies including Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and related services is also preferred. Additionally professional certifications such as Security+, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, CGEIT, CDMP, or related credentials will be given preference.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.

• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement.

In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida.

U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide.

USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion.

USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.