Data Protection Specialist (Hybrid)

About Us

At Selective, we don't just insure uniquely, we employ uniqueness.

Overview

The Data Protection Specialist leads the organization’s data protection strategy and operating direction across the full information lifecycle. This role is centered on protecting sensitive data through classification, labeling, data loss prevention, encryption, retention, monitoring, and governance practices across hybrid environments. The specialist partners with IT, data governance, privacy, legal, and business stakeholders to strengthen how data is identified, handled, protected, and monitored in alignment with enterprise priorities.

The role provides strategic leadership, practical guidance, and subject matter expertise to shape data protection roadmaps, standards, and control patterns that improve resilience, reduce exposure, and support responsible data use. Experience with Microsoft-oriented platforms is valuable, but comparable experience with similar enterprise data protection and cloud security solutions is also highly relevant. This individual is expected to bring senior-level judgment, cross-functional influence, and a practical balance of strategic leadership, technical depth, and governance awareness to advance enterprise data protection maturity.

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise data protection strategy across classification, labeling, data loss prevention, encryption, retention, and lifecycle governance in hybrid environments

Define and mature data protection standards, reference architectures, and roadmaps aligned to business priorities, regulatory expectations, and risk reduction goals

Serve as the senior subject matter expert for enterprise data protection capabilities across Microsoft 365, Azure, on-premises platforms, and comparable technology environments

Lead evaluation, selection, and integration of data protection technologies, including DSPM, information protection, data loss prevention, and similar security capabilities across relevant platforms

Drive enterprise practices for data minimization, masking, tokenization, anonymization, test data management, and secure data handling

Partner with security, privacy, legal, governance, IT, and business stakeholders to improve data handling practices and communicate data risk clearly

Establish metrics and reporting to measure control effectiveness, adoption, data protection coverage, and program maturity

Promote least-privilege and access governance principles as they relate to sensitive data access, usage, and oversight

Monitor emerging data protection risks, technologies, and industry practices to continuously evolve the program

Advanced experience designing and implementing enterprise data protection capabilities, including DSPM, data classification, labeling, data loss prevention, encryption, and lifecycle controls

Strong expertise with enterprise data protection and cloud security platforms. Experience with Microsoft Purview, Microsoft 365 Information Protection, and Azure data security services is highly valued, but comparable experience with similar solutions is also relevant

Deep understanding of data lifecycle management, retention, records considerations, and governance requirements for sensitive information

Hands-on knowledge of masking, tokenization, anonymization, and test data protection strategies across structured and unstructured data

Ability to assess data exposure risks and translate them into practical control strategies, architecture guidance, and measurable improvements

Strong working knowledge of privacy, regulatory, and data governance considerations that influence enterprise data protection programs

Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, communicate clearly with technical and business audiences, and operate effectively in regulated, matrixed environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in information security, privacy, cloud security, or data protection disciplines
• Experience supporting data protection programs in highly regulated industries or complex enterprise environments
• Direct experience with Microsoft security and data protection technologies is preferred, though experience with comparable enterprise platforms is also valuable
• Familiarity with automation or scripting used for data discovery, reporting, control validation, or operational support
• Exposure to legal, privacy, records management, or compliance collaboration models that shape enterprise data protection decisions
• Awareness of emerging data security technologies and modern governance practices that can further mature enterprise protection capabilities

Total Rewards

Selective Insurance offers a total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary, incentive plan eligibility at all levels, and a wide array of benefits designed to help you and your family stay healthy, achieve your financial goals, and balance the demands of your work and personal life. These benefits include comprehensive health care plans, retirement savings plan with company match, discounted Employee Stock Purchase Program, tuition assistance and reimbursement programs, and 20 days of paid time off. Additional details about our total rewards package can be found by visiting our benefits page.

Pay Range

USD $116,000.00 - USD $157,000.00 /Yr.

Selective is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. That means we respect and value every individual’s unique opinions, beliefs, abilities, and perspectives. We are committed to promoting a welcoming culture that celebrates diverse talent, individual identity, different points of view and experiences – and empowers employees to contribute new ideas that support our continued and growing success. Building a highly engaged team is one of our core strategic imperatives, which we believe is enhanced by diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We expect and encourage all employees and all of our business partners to embrace, practice, and monitor the attitudes, values, and goals of acceptance; address biases; and foster diversity of viewpoints and opinions.