Data Security Lead

Data Security Director – Avanade

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Security Consulting Leader, with deep expertise in Data Protection, to join our team. This role is pivotal in driving our security consulting practice, leading presales activities, generating a robust pipeline of opportunities, whilst engaging in some of the most exciting, complex, and leading-edge projects.

You will play an active role in transforming our client’s Information Protection strategy, capabilities, and operations through the design and implementation of Microsoft security products. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills in security consulting, with a proven track record in growing pipeline, solutioning and delivering deals. This role includes partial delivery expectations for the year.

Qualifications

Skills and experiences

• Extensive experience in security consulting with a focus on leadership.
• Proven track record in presales, pipeline generation, and solutioning/architecting deals.
• Strong understanding of the security landscape and industry trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to drive business growth and achieve sales targets.
• Advanced Microsoft Security Certifications such as: SC-100, SC-200, SC-401, AI-900
• Industry-recognised certifications such as: CISSP, CCSP, CISM, GIAC
• In-depth knowledge of Azure Security Tools with experience implementing Purview and DSPM strategies for AI models or hybrid data platforms
• Strong background in Security Architecture Design for cloud-based applications and services
• Continuous learning mindset and ability to improve security processes and tools
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, NIST AI RMF, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Familiarity with cloud security best practices and industry standards

About You

Beneficial Knowledge:

• Understanding of how AI/ML models handle training data, inference data, and derived data
• Experience with case management workflows and insider threat response protocols
• Data lineage tracking for model input/output
• Familiarity with Responsible AI practices including bias, fairness, and explainability
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Defender suite, including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, Defender for Office 365, and Microsoft Cloud App Security

What You\\\’ll Do

Key Leadership Responsibilities:

• Leadership in Security Consulting: Lead and inspire a team of security consultants, providing strategic direction for data protection and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Presales and Pipeline Generation: Drive presales activities, identify and generate new business opportunities, and build a strong pipeline to achieve growth targets.
• Solutioning and Architecting Deals: Develop innovative security solutions and architect deals that meet client needs and align with our business objectives, predominantly in the data protection space.
• Brand Amplification: Amplify the Avanade brand in the industry by representing the company at key events, conferences, and through thought leadership.
• Client Relationship Ownership: Own and nurture new and existing client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
• Opportunity Spotting: Identify and capitalize on new opportunities across our sales team to expand our security consulting services.
• Capability Development: Develop and enhance the capabilities of the security consulting team in the data protection space through training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
• Business Growth: Drive the growth of the security business by achieving sales targets and expanding our market presence.

Key Technical Responsibilities

• Lead large projects and project teams
• Manage deliverables and be responsible for delivering against critical milestones
• Engage in solution architecture and pre-sales deal shaping
• Develop and maintain long-term strategic client relationships
• Lead the implementation and management of Microsoft Purview for data discovery, classification, sensitivity labelling, and retention policies
• Drive DSPM (Data Security Posture Management) strategy to ensure AI models, pipelines, and infrastructure meet enterprise data protection and compliance requirements
• Design and enforce DSPM frameworks tailored for AI-driven data infrastructure
• Define and monitor KPIs for data discovery, classification, and protection coverage
• Implement DSPM solutions to discover, classify, and secure data across AI pipelines
• Integrate data classification and retention policies within AI lifecycle
• Provide forensic tracing of AI usage and auditability of input data
• Integrate Purview alerts and telemetry with Microsoft Defender and Sentinel to enable real-time threat detection and incident correlation
• Oversee configuration of E5 security tools, including Microsoft Information Protection, Data Loss Prevention, and Insider Risk Management
• Stay current with evolving data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, NIST AI RMF) and recommend policy updates accordingly
• Develop high-level documentation and executive reports on data security posture, risk exposures, and improvement roadmaps
• Additional experience with Entra suite, M365, and Defender is not mandatory but valuable

Other Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with account teams and client stakeholders
• Identify customer needs and understand business goals to envisage a high-level solution and winning strategy
• Develop detailed security transformation and operations opportunities based on capabilities, standardised tools, processes, and partner technology
• Collaborate with security architects and other technology partners
• Drive and be involved in proposal development, solution presentations, and discussions
• Conduct and follow through the sales process to accomplish deal closure

Learn more

Avanade is the leading global provider of digital, cloud, AI and advisory services, industry solutions and design-led experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem. Founded in 2000 as a joint venture between Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation, Avanade has more certifications, Gold-level competencies and most valued professionals (MVPs) than any other Microsoft partner. Every day, our 60,000 professionals in 26 countries innovate responsibly to make a genuine human impact for our clients, their employees and their customers.

To learn more about the types of projects our Security team works on check out this info:

• Avanade Security – Are you Doing Enough? https://www.avanade.com/en/solutions/security-service-solutions?videoid=6311944004112
• EDF Client Story | Avanade https://www.avanade.com/en/clients/edf
• Zurich Client Story | Avanade https://www.avanade.com/en/clients/zurich
• A Catastrophic Cyber Event. Are You Ready? https://www.avanade.com/en/blogs/avanade-insights/security/catastrophic-cyber-attack
• The New World of Decentralized Identity https://www.avanade.com/en-us/solutions/security-service-solutions/digital-identity

Enjoy your career

Some of the best things about working at Avanade

• Work for Microsoft’s Global Alliance Partner of the Year
• Pension, Electric Car Purchase scheme, 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, car allowance, bonus, PMI, life cover, and more
• Exceptional development and training (minimum 80 hours/year) and paid certifications
• Access to Avanade University – a global training platform
• Dedicated career adviser to guide your professional development
• Supportive colleagues genuinely interested in your growth
• Reward and recognition program
• Full benefits package including medical coverage and income protection

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.