Cybersecurity Specialist - Remote for locations in AL, AR, LA, MS or TN

HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union and Hope Policy Institute) provides financial services; leverages resources; and engages in advocacy that strengthens the financial health of people in under-resourced Deep South communities. Since 1994, these efforts have benefited more than three million people in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, and influenced billions in persistent poverty communities across the nation. Learn more at https://www.hopecu.org/. 

• Title: Cybersecurity Specialist
• Department: Information Technology
• Reports To: SVP, Information Technology
• Supervises: N/A
• Job Classification:  Full-Time, Exempt
• Location: Remote (AL, AR, LA, MS or TN)

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Cybersecurity Specialist to join our team at HOPE, a leading financial institution with assets totaling $800+ million. The ideal candidate will be responsible for protecting our organization’s information systems and data from cyber threats, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical assets.

Responsibilities:

• Security Policies and Procedures: Develop, implement, and maintain security policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Develop and maintain secure configuration baselines mapped to CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIGs, NIST 800-53 frameworks, or similar
• Guide remediation efforts by working closely with system owners, infrastructure, and application teams; translating scan results into actionable, prioritized fixes.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Perform regular risk assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and implement mitigation strategies to reduce risk exposure.
• Threat Intelligence: Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and technologies, and apply this knowledge to enhance the organization’s security posture.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, such as PCI-DSS, NCUA guidelines, and other applicable laws and regulations
• Security Audits: Coordinate and participate in internal and external security audits, and address any findings or recommendations.
• Communication: Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and professional growth.
• Security Monitoring and Incident Response: Monitor security alerts and incidents, conduct thorough investigations, and respond to security breaches promptly.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in Cybersecurity or a related field (i.e., fraud prevention, compliance), preferably within the financial services industry
• Minimum of 1 year experience managing policy compliance, including custom control authoring, policy tuning, and scan optimization using Qualys, Cloud Guard, Turbot, Wiz or any comparable tools
• Must reside in AL, AR, LA, MS, or TN 

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field desired
• Banking or financial services highly preferred
• Knowledge or experience with scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, Bash) for automating assessment and remediation tasks, is a plus
• Certifications i.e., Qualys Certified Specialist – PC, CISSP, GIAC, Security+, AWS/Azure, highly preferred

Key Competencies & Skills:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in security tools and technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, SIEM, and endpoint protection.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex security issues and develop effective solutions.
• Oral Communication: Shaping and expressing ideas and information in an effective manner
• Decision Making: Drawing correct and realistic conclusions and making timely decisions based on available information
• Organizational Awareness: Having and using knowledge of systems, situations, procedures, and culture inside the organization to identify potential problems and opportunities; perceiving the impact and the implications of decisions on other components of the organization.
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build strong relationships with colleagues across the organization.
• Results Orientation: Being persistent and showing perseverance on achieving concrete and tangible results out of personal responsibility; getting optimum results from situations and being ready to take action and show tenacity in case of obstacles or resistance.
• Continuous Learning: Actively and continuously gaining insight of strengths and weaknesses in order to identify the relevant areas that need further development (with regard to skills and knowledge) and acting upon it.
• Customer Focus: Knowing the (internal and external) customer business needs and acting accordingly; anticipating customer needs, and giving high priority to customer satisfaction and customer service 

Work Environment:

• Employee spends most of the time in an office environment, generally accessible to the public, members and potential members
• Standard office environment with regular use of a computer, phone, and video conferencing tools.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• Occasional travel may be required
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement, Professional Development

Hope Enterprise Corporation does not participate in or engage in any form of visa sponsorship, including employment-based visa applications or extensions (e.g., H-1B, TN, O-1, OPT, STEM OPT, etc.). Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.