JOB SUMMARY:

The Architect, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a senior, delivery-focused consultant responsible for leading and executing GRC engagements for Trace3 clients. This role performs framework-based security program assessments, risk assessments, and business impact analyses, and translates findings into practical, prioritized roadmaps that help clients build resilient, scalable, and compliant security programs. The Architect works directly with CISOs, risk and compliance leaders, control owners, and technical teams from engagement kickoff through final executive readout.

The GRC Architect will also help clients establish governance over the use of artificial intelligence, aligning AI adoption with emerging frameworks, regulations, and internal risk tolerance. This is a delivery role: the Architect is accountable for engagement quality, on-time completion of deliverables, and client satisfaction. A key function of this role will be to build deep relationships, gain trust, and enable client success.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead and execute GRC engagements end-to-end, including kickoff, stakeholder interviews, documentation and evidence review, analysis, deliverable development, and executive readouts.
• Perform security program maturity assessments against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF 2.0) and related frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, and CIS Critical Security Controls, as appropriate to the client environment.
• Conduct gap and readiness assessments against regulatory and compliance requirements, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, GLBA, FFIEC, SOX, CMMC, and GDPR.
• Perform IT and cyber risk assessments, including risk identification, analysis, and rating, and develop risk registers and risk treatment plans aligned to methodologies such as NIST SP 800-30 and ISO 27005.
• Conduct Business Impact Analyses (BIA) to identify critical business processes, dependencies, and supporting technology; establish recovery objectives (RTO, RPO, MTD); and inform business continuity and disaster recovery planning.
• Assess and help establish AI governance programs, including AI use-case inventories, acceptable use policies, AI risk assessments, and alignment to frameworks and regulations such as the NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, and the EU AI Act.
• Facilitate client workshops and interviews with executive stakeholders, process owners, and technical teams.
• Assess current-state capabilities across people, process, and technology and define practical target states, priorities, dependencies, and implementation roadmaps.
• Translate regulatory, security, and AI requirements into tailored control environments, governance models, policies, procedures, standards, and measurable program objectives.
• Develop and quality-review deliverables, including assessment reports, gap analyses, maturity scorecards, risk registers, control mappings, BIA reports, executive briefings, and strategic roadmaps.
• Manage day-to-day engagement execution, including schedule, status reporting, and client communication, and escalate risks to scope or timeline to practice leadership.
• Mentor consultants on engagement teams and provide technical quality review of their work.
• Contribute to the practice’s delivery methodologies, assessment tools, templates, and reusable intellectual property to improve consistency and client outcomes.
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving frameworks, regulations, and industry trends, and share lessons learned with the practice.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in information security, IT risk, or IT audit, including at least 5 years delivering GRC consulting or assessment engagements
• CISSP, CISA, CISM, CRISC, or equivalent security or risk certification strongly desired
• Demonstrated experience leading NIST CSF assessments, from planning and stakeholder interviews through maturity scoring, roadmap development, and executive readout
• Strong expertise in assessing the maturity of security programs to identify current state and establish a roadmap to a defined target state that accounts for capability gaps and associated risks
• Extensive knowledge of industry security and risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, ISO 27005, NIST RMF) and hands-on experience assessing against them
• Experience performing IT/IS risk, privacy, and control assessments based on leading practice and regulatory requirements (e.g., PCI DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR)
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, client-ready deliverables
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present findings to C-level executives and non-technical audiences
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, excellent time management skills, and able to effectively prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, high-volume, and evolving work environment
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent engagements and changing priorities while meeting deadlines
• Ability to approach client requests in a proactive and consultative manner; listen, understand client needs, and effectively deliver
• Motivated self-starter who loves to solve challenging problems and feels comfortable working directly with clients
• Ability to travel when needed

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience conducting Business Impact Analyses and supporting business continuity and disaster recovery programs (e.g., ISO 22301, NIST SP 800-34)
• Experience with AI governance frameworks and regulations, such as the NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, the EU AI Act, and U.S. state AI legislation
• Relevant certifications such as CBCP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer, ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor, IAPP AIGP, or CIPP
• Experience with GRC platforms (e.g., ServiceNow IRM, Archer, OneTrust)
• Experience serving clients in regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, or the public sector
• Prior professional services or Big 4 consulting experience