Principal Database Security

Ally and Your Career
Ally Financial only succeeds when its people do - and that’s more than some cliché people put on job postings. We love this stuff! We see our people as, well, people - with interests, families, friends, dreams, and causes that are all important to them. Our focus is on the health and safety of our teammates as well as work-life balance and diversity and inclusion. From generous benefits to a variety of employee resource groups, we strive to build paths that encourage employees to stretch themselves professionally. We want to help you grow, develop, and learn new things. You’re constantly evolving, so shouldn’t your opportunities be, too?

Work Schedule: Ally designates roles as (1) fully on-site, (2) hybrid, or (3) fully remote. Hybrid roles are generally expected to be in the office a certain number of days per week as indicated by your manager. Your hiring manager will discuss this role's specific work requirements with you during the hiring process. All work requirements are subject to change at any time based on leader discretion and/or business need.




The Opportunity

Ally is seeking a Principal leader to drive the Database Security and Data Obfuscation (Data Masking) program across the enterprise. This role will lead a hybrid onshore/offshore squad responsible for protecting sensitive data across its lifecycle—covering structured and unstructured data in on-prem and cloud environments.
Reporting to the Director, Data Security Operations, this position provides strategic leadership, technical oversight, and execution accountability for critical data protection capabilities, including Database Activity Monitoring (DAM), Database Access Controls, Data Masking, and Test Data Management (TDM). This is a mid-level to senior-level highly technical role driving working closely with Technology, Privacy, Enterprise Risk, and business stakeholders to manage data security risk, meet regulatory expectations, and enable secure data usage. This role requires an individual with a strong technical background as well as an ability to work with the IT organization and business management to align priorities and plans with key business objectives. Responsible for providing technical guidance to staff as they work to accomplish company objectives. This is a mid-level to senior-level highly technical role.

At this time, Ally will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.



The Work Itself

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Define and lead the enterprise strategy for Database Security and Data Obfuscation capabilities.

• Build and manage a global delivery model (onshore/offshore squad), including prioritization, capacity planning, and performance management.

• Establish and maintain policies, standards, playbooks, and governance aligned with regulatory expectations (e.g., FFIEC, GLBA, SOX).

• Drive multi-year roadmap for DAM, masking, and sensitive data protection initiatives.

Database Security (DAM & Controls)

• Oversee enterprise deployment and operations of Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) and Database security capabilities.

• Ensure ongoing tuning, policy management, and optimization of database security controls.

• Lead response and integration with SOC/CSIRT for database-related security incidents.

• Deliver risk-based reporting and metrics to leadership (e.g., control coverage, alert handling, remediation progress).

Data Obfuscation / Masking & TDM

• Design and implement Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) and Test Data Management (TDM) solutions aligned to business and regulatory requirements.

• Lead enterprise-wide data masking initiatives across multiple platforms and data domains.

• Ensure secure handling of production data in lower environments and define best practices for data movement and protection.

• Build reusable masking patterns, automation, and self-service capabilities to scale adoption across cloud (AWS/Azure), Snowflake, and hybrid architectures.

• Operations, Risk & Governance

• Oversee day-to-day operations of DAM, masking, and related controls, ensuring SLA adherence and operational excellence.

• Manage issues, risks, and escalations, and provide transparency to senior leadership.

• Ensure audit readiness and successful regulatory exam outcomes through strong documentation and control evidence.

• Drive continuous improvement across processes, automation, and control effectiveness.

Team Development & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

• Build strong relationships with business, IT, and compliance stakeholders to align security objectives with organizational goals.

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical partners, including senior leadership.

• Design and enhance support processes, perform data analysis, track workflow burndown to meet milestones, and deliver KPI/KRI reporting to improve the stability, resiliency, and performance of business-critical applications

The Qualifications We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in data security with strong focus on database security and/or data protection.

• Hands-on experience with DAM platforms (e.g., Imperva SecureSphere, IBM Guardium) or similar tools

• Proven experience leading enterprise scale Data obfuscation program (masking, tokenization, de-identification).

• Deep understanding of database platforms (Oracle, SQL Server, NoSQL, cloud data stores).

• Strong understanding of regulatory processes and compliance frameworks (PCI, SOX, GLBA, NYDFS, Sarbanes-Oxley).

• Experience implementing and managing data privacy controls in large-scale banking or financial environments.

• Previous experience working with Power BI including up to date knowledge on the latest Power BI features and functions.

• Working knowledge on Splunk and related reporting capabilities

• Knowledge of big data concepts and cloud data warehouse (Hadoop/ Snowflake)

• Knowledge of Data Security capabilities Encryption, Tokenization (Protegrity, Thales/Vormetric, etc.), De-identification (Hashing, Masking, Redaction etc.) (Delphix, Informatica, Privitar, etc.), and Key and Certificate Management (Entrust, Thales/Gemalto, Venafi, etc.)

• Understanding of Amazon Web Serves (AWS) and Azure and use of AWS security tools

• Experience developing Key Risk Indicators / Key Performance Indicators related to Information Security or IT Risk Management

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar field or equivalent





How We'll Have Your Back
Ally's compensation program offers market-competitive base pay and pay-for-performance incentives (bonuses) based on achieving personal and company goals. Our Total Rewards program includes industry-leading compensation and benefits plus additional incentives that are designed to meet your needs and those of your family so you can get the most out of your career and your life, including:

Time Away: Program starts at 20 paid time off days in addition to 11 paid holidays and 8 hours of volunteer time off yearly (time off days are prorated based on start date and program varies based on full or part-time status and management level).

Planning for the Future: plan for the near and long term with an industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions, student loan pay downs and 529 educational save up assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, employee stock purchase plan, and financial learning center and financial coach access.

Supporting your Health & Well-being: flexible health and insurance options including medical, dental and vision, employee, spouse and child life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions, Healthcare FSA, critical illness, accident & hospital indemnity insurance, and a total well-being program that helps you and your family stay on track physically, socially, emotionally, and financially.

Building a Family: adoption, surrogacy and fertility assistance as well as paid parental and caregiver leave, Dependent Day Care FSA back-up child and adult/elder care days and childcare discounts.

Work-Life Integration: other benefits including Mentally Fit Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers® program and other employee discount programs.

Other Compensations: depending on the role for which you are considered, you may be eligible for travel allowances, relocation assistance, a signing bonus and/or equity.

To view more detailed information about Ally’s Total Rewards, please visit this link: https://www.ally.com/content/dam/pdf/corporate/ally-total-rewards-snapshot.pdf




Who We Are:
Ally Financial is a customer-centric, leading digital financial services company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions. We are relentlessly focused on "Doing it Right" and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. For more information, visit www.ally.com.

Ally is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic disposition or any other reason protected by law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if after review of the position expectations, you believe that you may need a medical accommodation to fulfill the duties of this role, please email hrpolicy@ally.com with details of your accommodation request.




Base Pay Range

$110,000.00 - $180,000.00


An individual's position in the range is determined by the specific role, the scope and responsibilities of the role, work experience, education, certification(s), training, and additional qualifications. We review internal pay, the competitive market, and business environment prior to extending an offer.




Incentive Compensation:

This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive plan.