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Principal Cyber Risk Advisor

ECI · Financial Services · 501-1,000 employees

Dallas, TX · Hybrid · full_time

Listed by the employer as “Security GRC - Principal Cyber Risk Advisor”. Title normalized for comparability.

CLI Career Level

VP-equivalent

Moderate confidence

Opportunity Score

75/100

Above average

High confidence

Executive Fit

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Career Level and Opportunity Score describe the role itself. Executive Fit is the only figure that depends on your profile.

First seen Oct 27, 2026 · Last verified 6 days ago · Sourced from LinkedIn — Principal / GRC leadership (US)

CLI Take

Broader than the title suggests

This role reads VP-equivalent despite being advertised as “Security GRC - Principal Cyber Risk Advisor” — the stated scope is wider than the employer's title implies. CLI's analysis of the posting describes a strategic build or transformation mandate, and it carries board-level exposure and carries SOX and SOC 2 accountability. The posting reads closer to an individual contributor mandate: hands-on delivery expected. The reporting line and team size are not disclosed and remain the main open questions before pursuing it.

Why this role scores the way it does

75/100 — above average opportunity quality. CLI reads this as a VP-equivalent mandate. Strongest signal: CLI's analysis of the posting describes a strategic build or transformation mandate. Main drag on the score: The posting reads closer to an individual contributor mandate: hands-on delivery expected. 3 of 10 dimensions are not disclosed, which lowers confidence rather than the score.

Career level read

VP-equivalent — The employer lists this as “Security GRC - Principal Cyber Risk Advisor”. CLI reads it as VP-equivalent because the role shows global responsibility; multinational responsibility; executive committee exposure, board-level exposure expected, 501-1,000 employee organization.

Moderate confidence

What makes it attractive

  • CLI's analysis of the posting describes a strategic build or transformation mandate.
  • Scope language covers global responsibility; multinational responsibility; executive committee exposure.
  • Board-level exposure is expected in the role.

What to probe before applying

  • The posting reads closer to an individual contributor mandate: hands-on delivery expected.

Scoring components · Above average

Compensation versus comparable roles55 · weight 15%

The employer discloses a base range, but there is no comparable set to benchmark it against yet.

Reporting levelNot disclosed · excluded from the score

Reporting line: not disclosed.

Functional and geographic scope93 · weight 12%

Scope language covers global responsibility; multinational responsibility; executive committee exposure.

Quality of the mandate100 · weight 12%

CLI's analysis of the posting describes a strategic build or transformation mandate.

Executive and board exposure100 · weight 10%

Board-level exposure is expected in the role.

Role authority versus title25 · weight 10%

The posting reads closer to an individual contributor mandate: hands-on delivery expected.

Company scale and trajectory67 · weight 10%

Employer profile: 501-1,000 employee organization, pe backed ownership, private equity, revenue 50m 250m.

Team ownershipNot disclosed · excluded from the score

Team size: not disclosed.

Budget ownershipNot disclosed · excluded from the score

Budget ownership: not disclosed.

Risk signals100 · weight 5%

No adverse signals identified in the posting.

Dimensions the employer does not disclose are excluded and the remaining weights are rebalanced, so missing information lowers confidence rather than the score.

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Compensation

$140,000 – $150,000 base salary, disclosed by employer

Sample size not yet sufficient for a market comparison

See the full benchmark bands by level and region

The mandate

This is a hands-on principal consultant role serving as a virtual CISO and strategic advisor to mid-market financial services clients. The leader is responsible for building and executing multi-framework compliance programs, managing risk registers, and leading M&A due diligence from a security perspective.

This role acts as a senior technical and advisory resource across a portfolio of client engagements, serving as a named advisor to client C-suites. The remit includes full audit lifecycle management, vendor risk programs, and GRC practice development for ECI.

Scope

  • Board-level exposure expected

Domains and regulation

  • GRC
  • Compliance
  • Third-Party Risk
  • Cloud Security
  • Cyber Defense
  • Resilience
  • SOX
  • SOC 2
  • FedRAMP
  • CMMC
  • NIST 800-171
  • DFARS

Requirements

Must have

  • 7–10+ years of experience in information security, GRC, or IT risk.
  • At least 3 years in a client-facing advisory, vCISO, or principal consultant capacity.
  • Demonstrated, hands-on experience managing multi-framework compliance programs (CMMC, NIST, SOC 2, ISO 27001, TISAX, or similar).
  • Experience supporting M&A transactions from a GRC/security perspective (due diligence, gap analysis, or integration planning).
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
  • Deep working knowledge of CMMC 2.0, DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST CSF/RMF/SP 800-53, HITRUST, and SEC cybersecurity rules.

Preferred / bonus

  • Nothing listed as optional.

Only must-have items are scored as hard constraints in Executive Fit.

Likely challenges

Not stated in the posting: Internal reporting structure at ECI (who this role reports to internally) is not specified..

About ECI

ECI provides managed IT services, cybersecurity solutions, and business transformation consulting specifically for the global financial services industry. The firm supports hedge funds, private equity firms, and asset managers with cloud infrastructure and regulatory compliance services. It operates as a mid-sized managed service provider with a significant presence in major financial hubs.

Industry
Financial Services
Headcount
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Boston, MA
Founded
1995
Ownership
Private equity backed
Funding
Private equity backed
Revenue
$50M – $250M
Investors
H.I.G. Capital

Full company profile for ECI →

View original job description
About ECIECI is the leading global provider of managed services, cybersecurity, and business transformation for mid-market financial services organizations across the globe. From its unmatched range of services, ECI provides stability, security and improved business performance, freeing clients from technology concerns and enabling them to focus on running their businesses. More than 1,000 customers worldwide with over $3 trillion of assets under management put their trust in ECI.At ECI, we believe success is driven by passion and purpose. Our passion for technology is only surpassed by our commitment to empowering our employees around the world.Principal Cyber Risk AdvisorECI is the leading global provider of managed services, cybersecurity, and business transformation for mid-market financial services organizations across the globe. From its unmatched range of services, ECI provides stability, security, and improved business performance — freeing clients from technology concerns and enabling them to focus on running their businesses. More than 1,000 customers worldwide with over $3 trillion of assets under management put their trust in ECI.At ECI, we believe success is driven by passion and purpose. Our passion for technology is only surpassed by our commitment to empowering our employees around the world.THE OPPORTUNITYAs a Principal Cybersecurity Risk Advisor, you will work alongside industry leaders across verticals to strengthen client security postures, drive compliance programs, and act as a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership. This is not a delegation role — you will own the work: writing policies, conducting assessments, leading audits, and advising boards. This is not your typical consulting role. Since ECI is the primary third party to our clients you will be working with internal teams to own workflows.You will serve as a senior technical and advisory resource across a portfolio of complex client engagements, leading multi-framework compliance programs (CMMC, TISAX, NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, SEC) and helping clients translate evolving regulatory obligations into prioritized, actionable programs. If you can't get your hands dirty, this role isn't for you.What You Will DoClient Advisory & Program Leadership Serve as a named senior advisor to client CTO, CISO, and executive leadership — owning strategic direction and day-to-day program execution across multiple engagements Lead steering sessions, quarterly program reviews, and board-level risk briefings — preparing and delivering materials directly Develop and maintain rolling GRC roadmaps aligned to client business priorities, regulatory calendars, and risk appetite Translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into actionable, prioritized guidance for operational, technical, and executive stakeholders Address ad hoc client security queries with timely, well-reasoned guidance, and build deep institutional knowledge of client environments, systems, and supply chainsRisk Management & Compliance Develop and implement risk management strategies, maintaining enterprise GRC risk registers with hands-on identification, scoring, treatment, and reporting Conduct thorough security architecture analyses, identifying vulnerabilities and proposing robust countermeasures; facilitate risk workshops and annual Security Program Reviews Manage multi-framework compliance programs concurrently — CMMC Level 2 (including SSP, POA&M, SRM, SPRS scoring, and C3PAO coordination), TISAX (ISA self-assessment, ISMS), ISO 27001 (SoA, Annex A mapping), and others as client needs dictate Own and drive full audit lifecycle management — pre-audit readiness, evidence collection, auditor liaison, post-audit remediation — across up to four certification engagements per year Develop, review, and maintain client information security policy suites and procedures; update policies against SEC, NIST, CMMC, FTSE, ISO 27001, and other applicable standardsVendor Risk & M&A Due Diligence Own vendor due diligence programs including SOC 2 Type II analysis, security questionnaire reviews, risk scoring, and contractual flow-down verification Lead GRC due diligence workstreams on M&A acquisition targets — assessing security posture, compliance gaps, and integration risk; produce diligence reports and post-acquisition integration roadmapsMentorship & Practice Development Mentor team members, contributing to their professional growth and overall GRC practice capability Contribute to internal practice development — maintaining and improving compliance playbooks, templates, and methodologies informed by client engagement learnings Participate in internal QA and peer review processes to ensure quality and consistency across all client deliverablesWho You Are 7–10+ years of experience in information security, GRC, or IT risk, with a track record of continuous growth in a consulting or advisory environment At least 3 years in a client-facing advisory, vCISO, or principal consultant capacity — comfortable owning named client relationships at the C-suite level Demonstrated, hands-on experience managing multi-framework compliance programs (CMMC, NIST, SOC 2, ISO 27001, TISAX, or similar) — not just familiarity in isolation Experience supporting M&A transactions from a GRC/security perspective — due diligence, gap analysis, or integration planning Previous consulting experience in financial services, healthcare, government, manufacturing, or DIB sectors preferred Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field required; advanced degree preferredCertifications (two preferred) CISSP — Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISM — Certified Information Security Manager CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) or Certified Professional (CCP), or ability to obtain within 6 months ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor CRISC or CISA advantageousTechnical & Framework Knowledge Deep working knowledge of CMMC 2.0 (NIST SP 800-171 / 800-172), DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST CSF/RMF/SP 800-53, HITRUST, and SEC cybersecurity rules TISAX requirements — ISA categories, maturity levels, VDA ISA control catalogue, and ENX assessment process Strong understanding of security controls and best practices: MFA, Conditional Access, Least Privilege, Defense in Depth Experience with endpoint and cloud security platforms (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft 365, Cisco); familiarity with GRC tooling (Vanta, Cynomi, Drata, Archer, ServiceNow GRC, or similar) Constantly aware of evolving threat landscape and real-world events impacting client security postureInterpersonal & Professional Skills Exceptional written and verbal communication — able to brief a board, write a formal audit policy, and mentor a junior analyst with equal credibility Trusted advisor presence: comfortable owning a room, delivering difficult findings, and framing compliance obligations as business priorities Highly organized with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent, time-sensitive workstreams without dropping threads Self-starter who manages their own schedule to drive timelines to completion; strong business acumen and ability to make technical topics concrete and client-specific Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across a diverse set of clients, geographies, and internal colleaguesCompensation & BenefitsThe anticipated compensation range for this role is $140,000 – $150,000, based on location, experience, education, and skill level. ECI offers a competitive total rewards package including unlimited PTO, benefit eligibility from the first of the month, pet insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and more.If you believe you'd be a great fit and are ready for your best job ever, we'd like to hear from you.ECI’s culture is all about connection - connection with our clients, our technology and most importantly with each other. In addition to working with an amazing team around the world, ECI also offers a competitive compensation package and so much more! If you believe you would be a great fit and are ready for your best job ever, we would like to hear from you!

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