Manager, Cyber Governance, Training, and Performance

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that’s leading this transformation. You’ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.

If you’re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Manager, Cyber Governance, Training, and Performance you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Cyber Governance Director.  This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for all of USC’s fantastic Benefits + Perks.  This opportunity is remote. 

The Manager, Cyber Governance, Training, and Performance leads cybersecurity governance across the university, IT, and various departments, schools, and units (DSUs). Assists with developing the strategic direction of university cybersecurity efforts. Oversees training and awareness efforts for university community, including, but not limited to, students, faculty, and staff to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats. Establishes and maintains key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity initiatives. Implements and maintains cybersecurity best practices, performs needs assessments, and evaluates effectiveness of cybersecurity efforts; develops and produces related reports and governance materials.

The Manager, Cyber Governance, Training, and Performance will:

• Leads cybersecurity governance across the university, IT, and various departments, schools, and units (DSUs). Assists with developing the strategic direction of university cybersecurity efforts. Identifies strategic opportunities and challenges and supports the development of initiatives that enhance the university's cybersecurity posture.

•  Oversees training for the university community (e.g., students, faculty, staff) to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats, fostering a culture of security awareness. Leads the development and implementation of training programs and awareness campaigns aimed at educating the university community about cybersecurity, threats, and best practices (e.g., phishing, password management, secure internet usage). Develops and oversees implementation of training materials. Ensures that training programs are updated regularly to reflect the latest cybersecurity threats and trends.

•  Collaborates with key ITS and external stakeholders to develop holistic standards and strategies for events, councils, and campus-wide initiatives. Facilitates collaboration across departments and ensures that cybersecurity considerations are integrated into all aspects of the university's operations. Manages relationships with essential stakeholders within IT, academic, and operational areas. Serves as a representative on governance councils where applicable.

•  Establishes and maintains KPIs and metrics to measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity initiatives and implement continuous improvement. Serves as the primary lead for carrying out measurements, evaluations, and assessments to measure effectiveness of cybersecurity efforts; develops and produces related reports and documentation.

• Oversees the development of evaluation frameworks for training activities, measuring impact and effectiveness to facilitate continuous improvements and ensure optimal impact. Performs needs assessments to determine the appropriate mix of training courses for different stakeholder groups, in consultation with project teams.

• Implements and maintains cybersecurity best practices across ITS, IT and DSUs. Ensures that cybersecurity policies, procedures, and standards are aligned with university strategic objectives and compliance requirements. Work with key ITS and external stakeholders to develop holistic standards and strategies for events, councils, and campus-wide initiatives.

•  Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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