Principal Associate, Risk Management, Policy Analyst

Company: Capital One
Location: Mc Lean
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Principal Associate, Risk Management, Policy Analyst Technology & Data Risk Management (TDRM) is a small organization that packs a big punch. The ~200 professionals in TDRM are trusted experts who oversee ~14,000 developers at Capital One. We raise the bar for excellence in cybersecurity, reliability, and tech risk, and data management risk. We shape strategy and decisions, challenge activities to ensure they meet our standards, and perform independent tests of our security and technology risk. For years, the cybersecurity community has debated whether the CISO should report to the CIO or not. In regulated financial services, the answer is: both. The first-line CISO has operational responsibilities and reports to the CIO. The second-line Chief Tech Risk Officer (CTRO) and the Tech & Data Risk Management (TDRM) organization have broader responsibilities for cybersecurity but also reliability, software quality, resilience, and the risk of failing to manage our data. The CTRO is independent and oversees the work of the CISO, the CIO/CTO, and the Chief Data Officer. The CTRO reports to the Chief Risk Officer, who reports directly to the CEO. Our business leaders must make technology decisions constantly. TDRM makes sure they have the tech and data risk information they need to make good decisions. Associates within TDRM are highly-skilled information security, cybersecurity, site reliability engineering, technology, data analyst, data scientist, and risk management professionals. They have a wealth of experience and a demonstrated ability to add value with their advice and to deliver high-impact results. As a Policy Analyst at the Principal Associate level you will play a key role evolving our data, technology, and information security policies, standards, and procedures (PSPs). This includes annual updates to our PSPs, developing new PSPs on an as-needed basis, and partnering with subject matter experts across TDRM to draft policy-level requirements. You will engage with stakeholders across the first and second lines of defense as part of the PSP process and apply a customer-focus perspective. Desired outcomes: PSPs renewals are delivered on-time, meeting our high bar for quality TDRM owns a greater share of requirements in the policies we own TDRM shapes and influences first line owned PSPs through advisory engagement Stakeholder feedback is considered and incorporated throughout the process Our PSPs align to industry standards and best practices The ideal candidate: Is a strategic thinker who is intellectually curious, thrives in a data-driven environment, effective influencer, demonstrates good judgment, excellent problem solver, and is a team player. Is a clear communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills across levels of leadership Has passion and expertise in data management or data protection, with an ability to be confident, respectful, and articulate when registering dissenting or unpopular opinions Raises concerns early and knows when to escalate, including the ability to raise issues and facilitate constructive problem-solving at all levels of the organization Can manage multiple projects/initiatives while maintaining superior results Is execution oriented and a self-motivator Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or military experience At least 3 years of experience coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders At least 3 years of experience managing, consulting, auditing, or working in the fields of information security, data management, technology, or risk management At least 2 years of project or process management experience Preferred Qualifications: 3 years of experience with data, cybersecurity, or technology policy and with the policy making processes Familiarity with industry frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST 800-53, COBIT, ISO 27001, or Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK) framework Professional security management certifications, such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls (CRISC), CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional), CIPM (Certified Information Privacy Manager), or CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position. The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked. McLean, VA: $120,800 - $137,900 for Principal Risk Specialist New York, NY: $131,800 - $150,500 for Principal Risk Specialist Richmond, VA: $109,900 - $125,400 for Principal Risk Specialist Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter. This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan. Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website . Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level. This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days. No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com . All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site. Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).

Keywords: Capital One, Arlington , Principal Associate, Risk Management, Policy Analyst, IT / Software / Systems , Mc Lean, Virginia