Director of Security Architecture

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Security Architecture & Design

· Define and implement a unified security architecture framework aligned with NIST 2.0, ISO 27001, and CIS standards.

· Develop a scalable security architecture that supports on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments across all Yum! brands.

· Standardize security controls across infrastructure, networks, and applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory and industry requirements.

· Oversee the design and security implementation of applications, cloud solutions, and restaurant systems.

2. Drive Identity & Access Management (IAM) and Zero Trust

· Implement Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) to enforce continuous verification of users, devices, and workloads.

· Strengthen role-based access control (RBAC), multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and privileged access management (PAM).

· Ensure IAM security is optimized for enterprise-scale and aligns with business operations.

3. Advance Cloud Security & DevSecOps

· Establish security baselines and automated guardrails for Azure, AWS, and GCP cloud environments.

· Integrate security testing, vulnerability scanning, and compliance checks into CI/CD pipelines to enforce DevSecOps best practices.

· Drive container and API security to protect microservices-based applications.

4. Secure Core Infrastructure & Data

· Enhance network segmentation, endpoint protection, and encryption strategies to minimize risk.

· Strengthen threat detection, response, and forensic investigation capabilities using SIEM, XDR, and security analytics.

· Implement advanced threat intelligence and security monitoring across all security layers.

· Ensure strong data governance and protection for structured and unstructured data, including sensitive customer and payment data.

5. Align Security with Business & Technology Strategy

· Partner with IT, Engineering, and Brand Security teams to align security with Yum!’s digital strategy.

· Develop an enterprise security reference architecture to ensure that security principles enable rather than hinder business innovation.

· Provide strategic security guidance for new technology implementations, assessing risks and integration challenges.

· Improve security awareness and training programs for IT and development teams.

Key Initiatives & Success Metrics

· Develop and maintain a security architecture roadmap aligned with corporate technology objectives.

· Engage CDTOs (Chief Digital & Technology Officers) across all brands to ensure security standards are consistently adopted.

· Define measurable KPIs for security architecture maturity, tracking adoption and effectiveness.

· Implement continuous improvement processes based on threat analysis, incident response data, and business feedback.

Leadership & Team Management

· Lead and mentor a team of Principal and Senior Security Architects, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.

· Work cross-functionally with engineering, IT, security, and business leaders to align security strategy with business goals.

· Drive security governance policies and best practices that reduce risk while supporting innovation.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related field.

· 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity architecture, engineering, or enterprise security strategy.

· 5+ years in a leadership role managing security teams and enterprise security programs.

· Expertise in network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), application security, IAM, and threat intelligence.

· Experience conducting risk assessments, threat modeling, security architecture reviews, and regulatory compliance.

· Strong knowledge of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS, etc.).

· Hands-on experience with SIEM, IDS/IPS, vulnerability scanners, endpoint security, and security automation tools.

· Certifications preferred: CISSP, CISM, SABSA, TOGAF, CHFI, GCFA, GCTI.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience working in a Fortune 500 or multinational enterprise.

· Strong understanding of DevSecOps, CI/CD security, and SDLC security integration.

· Familiarity with Zero Trust security models, emerging security technologies, and cloud security automation.

· Proven ability to balance security and business enablement, ensuring that security is embedded without slowing innovation.

Join Yum! Brands and help build a security-first culture that enables innovation while protecting our customers, employees, and brand reputation. Apply today!

Salary Range: $160,000 - $188,000 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.