Cybersecurity - Data Protection & Privacy - Senior Manager (Data Protection Specialist)

The Opportunity

EY Canada’s Cybersecurity practice is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Manager to lead our Data Protection offerings. This individual will play a critical role in shaping client solutions, driving delivery excellence, and contributing to go-to-market activities across multiple sectors.

As a trusted advisor, you will work directly with cybersecurity leaders and managers to help them solve complex data protection challenges across IT and OT environments, spanning topics such as:

• Data governance (e.g., data classification and inventory, data lifecycle management, governance framework development)
• Data security (e.g., Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, encryption and tokenization, AI-resilient data security, insider risk management, secure data sharing and collaboration, OT data security)
• Risk and compliance solutions (e.g., regulatory compliance assessments, risk assessments and management, incident response and breach management, third-party risk management, audit and reporting solutions)

This is a market-facing role where you will shape and maintain key client relationships, co-create solutions with clients, lead complex data protection programs, and help evolve EY’s service offerings to remain aligned with fast-evolving market needs, including emerging threats from AI-driven attacks and OT vulnerabilities.

Your Key Responsibilities

Client & Market Leadership

• Serve as a go-to Data Protection leader, supporting key accounts and growth initiatives.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders, including IT, OT, compliance, and cybersecurity leaders.
• Lead pre-sales conversations, shape solutions, and support the full pursuit lifecycle including proposal and Statement of Work (SOW) development.
• Provide thought leadership by developing and delivering insights on the future of data protection, including AI-resilient frameworks, OT data security convergence, and protection against sector-specific threats.

Delivery Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of data protection engagements, including data governance initiatives and data security projects.
• Oversee teams delivering technical implementations using platforms such as Microsoft Purview and other leading tools, ensuring quality, budget, and timeline adherence.
• Serve as engagement leader and quality reviewer on multiple concurrent projects, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and business value realization.

Practice & Portfolio Development

• Help evolve and maintain a portfolio of data protection offerings, ensuring alignment with emerging technologies like AI-driven analytics for data security.
• Collaborate with alliance partners to develop joint go-to-market solutions and account strategies.
• Support internal competency development, mentoring junior team members and enabling national delivery excellence.

To Qualify for the Role You Must Have

• Extensive Cybersecurity Experience: Minimum of 10 years in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years focused on data protection, including design and implementation of data governance and data security solutions.
• Hands-on Experience: Direct technical experience with platforms such as Microsoft Purview, Symantec DLP, Forcepoint, and familiarity with AI-resilient tools.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams effectively.
• Client Relationship Management: Track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Ability to anticipate emerging threats and provide innovative solutions.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Ability to articulate complex concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Education: Degree in cybersecurity, information technology, business administration, or related field.
• Certifications: CISSP, CDPSE, or other relevant certifications are highly desirable.

What We Look For

We’re interested in intellectually curious people with a genuine passion for cybersecurity. If you have the confidence in your technical abilities to grow into a leading expert here, this is the role for you.

This job posting relates to an existing vacancy within our organization.

What We Offer

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming - where everyone can achieve their potential and contribute to building a better working world for our people, our clients and our communities. It's one of the many reasons we repeatedly win awards for being a great place to work.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future. Our Total Rewards package includes a comprehensive medical, prescription drug and dental coverage, a defined contribution pension plan, a great vacation policy plus firm paid days that allow you to enjoy longer long weekends throughout the year, statutory holidays and paid personal days (based on province of residence), and a range of exciting programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being. Plus, we offer:

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues in the industry
• Learning opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

EY reports salary ranges in accordance with applicable provincial pay transparency legislation. Individual salaries within the anticipated salary ranges noted below are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to internal equity, education, relevant experience, knowledge, and applicable skill sets.

• Toronto: $156,000 to $216,000
• Victoria: $145,000 to $194,000
• London/Waterloo/Ottawa: $150,000 to $205,000

Inclusiveness at EY 

Inclusiveness is at the heart of who we are and how we work. We’re committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world. 

Learn about our commitment to Inclusiveness at https://www.ey.com/en_ca/about-us/corporate-responsibility/equity

At EY, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as one element of our recruitment process to enhance efficiency and improve the candidate experience. While AI supports us in our process, human judgment and decision-making remain integral in our candidate experience. We are committed to the responsible use of AI, and our practices are continuously reviewed and refined to ensure they align with the highest ethical principles and regulatory requirements.

To all recruitment agencies: EY does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior agreement or request from our hiring team will not be considered. EY is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.