WHO WE ARE
Zeta Global (NYSE: ZETA) is the AI-Powered Marketing Cloud that leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and trillions of consumer signals to make it easier for marketers to acquire, grow, and retain customers more efficiently. Through the Zeta Marketing Platform (ZMP), our vision is to make sophisticated marketing simple by unifying identity, intelligence, and omnichannel activation into a single platform – powered by one of the industry’s largest proprietary databases and AI. Our enterprise customers across multiple verticals are empowered to personalize experiences with consumers at an individual level across every channel, delivering better results for marketing programs. Zeta was founded in 2007 by David A. Steinberg and John Sculley and is headquartered in New York City with offices around the world. To learn more, go to www.zetaglobal.com.
About the Role
We’re looking for a Director of Application Security to architect and lead an AI-native, agent-driven Application Security function at Zeta.
This is a hands-on, player/coach leadership role focused on shifting security decisively left—embedding security intelligence directly into the software development lifecycle, CI/CD pipelines, and AI-powered development workflows.
Rather than operating as a traditional gate or review function, Application Security at Zeta is evolving into a continuous, autonomous capability: powered by policy-as-code, security agents, real-time risk signals, and deep integration with how engineers build software.
Zeta is at the forefront of the AI-native transformation of marketing, having launched Athena by Zeta—a superintelligent, conversational AI agent deeply embedded in the Zeta Marketing Platform. As Zeta accelerates into this AI-driven, agentic future, security is foundational—not optional.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategy (AI-Native Player/Coach)
- Define and drive an AI-native Application Security vision and roadmap.
- Design the operating model for agentic AppSec, including security copilots and policy-enforcing agents.
- Act as a hands-on technical leader shaping secure architectures.
- Build and mentor a modern Application Security team focused on leverage and automation.
Agentic Threat Modeling & Continuous Validation
- Evolve threat modeling into continuous, system-aware analysis.
- Embed automated security reasoning into CI/CD and AI/ML pipelines.
- Lead AI-specific adversarial testing (prompt injection, model abuse, data leakage).
Shifting Security Left into the SDLC
- Embed security agents directly into IDEs, PRs, and CI workflows.
- Deliver in-context security guidance without slowing velocity.
- Use continuous risk scoring to influence release decisions.
AI & Emerging Threat Defense
- Own AppSec strategy for AI systems, models, prompts, and agents.
- Translate emerging AI risks into automated guardrails.
Security Culture & Enablement
- Foster an ambient, automated security culture.
- Train engineers on secure AI-native system design.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
- 5–10+ years in AppSec, DevSecOps, or secure software development.
- Strong knowledge of OWASP, cloud-native systems, and API security.
- Familiarity with AI/ML security risks.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
WHY THIS ROLE
This is a foundational opportunity to define what Application Security looks like in an AI-native enterprise—securing not just code, but decisions, agents, and intelligence at scale.
BENEFITS & PERKS
- Unlimited PTO
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Employee Equity
- Employee Discounts, Virtual Wellness Classes, and Pet Insurance And more!!
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this role is $180,000 - $210,000, depending on location and experience.
PEOPLE & CULTURE AT ZETA
Zeta considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Zeta discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
We’re committed to building a workplace culture of trust and belonging, so everyone feels invited to bring their whole selves to work. We provide a forum for employees to celebrate, support and advocate for one another. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion here: https://zetaglobal.com/blog/a-look-into-zetas-ergs/
ZETA IN THE NEWS!
https://zetaglobal.com/press/?cat=press-releases
#LI-YW1
Skills Required
- 5-10+ years of experience in Application Security, DevSecOps, or secure software development
- Strong knowledge of OWASP
- Strong knowledge of cloud-native systems
- Strong knowledge of API security
- Familiarity with AI/ML security risks
- Excellent communication skills
- Leadership skills
What the Team is Saying
Zeta Global Compensation & Benefits Highlights
How does Zeta Global ensure its pay and bonus plans are competitive?
Zeta Global supports competitive compensation through a mix of base pay, equity, performance incentives, financial benefits and employee feedback-informed rewards. The company’s total rewards approach connects compensation with ownership, financial planning and benefits that support employees’ broader well-being.
- Competitive pay and incentives: Zeta lists competitive pay, equity, performance bonuses and an employee stock purchase plan as part of its compensation and total rewards offerings. Employees also describe compensation as a strength. A software engineer said Zeta offers “good compensation,” “best appraisals and pay raise” and a “supportive work environment,” while a director cited “compensation” as one of the strengths of the company.
- Equity and ownership: Zeta offers company equity and an employee stock purchase plan, giving employees ways to participate in the company’s growth. Its broader financial benefits also include a 401(k) with company match, monthly financial workshops, commuter benefits and insurance coverage, reinforcing compensation as part of a larger financial wellness package.
- Performance-oriented rewards: Employee reviews describe Zeta’s compensation as tied to performance and growth. One employee said, “Zeta pays well,” while another said compensation is “within industry range and revised every year.” A finance analyst cited “great incentives,” and a director described Zeta as a place to “shape your career” with room to move up. (Comparably; Glassdoor reviews; Indeed reviews)
- Benefits that strengthen total rewards: Zeta’s rewards package extends beyond pay through health, dental and vision insurance, mental health benefits, pet insurance, flexible time off, parental leave, adoption assistance, fertility and family-building support, travel assistance for reproductive health procedures, volunteer days and wellness resources. The company also says it uses wellness surveys and employee feedback to shape benefits updates, including expanded parental leave and adoption assistance.
- External signals:
- Compensation sentiment: Employees on external review sites describe Zeta’s compensation as “good,” “great” and competitive, with reviews citing pay raises, incentives, benefits and performance-based earning potential. (Glassdoor reviews; Indeed reviews; Comparably)
- Benefits signals: External profile data lists company equity, performance bonuses, an employee stock purchase plan and a home-office stipend for remote employees.
- Financial wellness: Zeta’s benefits include 401(k) matching, financial workshops, insurance coverage and employee stock purchase participation.
Bottom line: Zeta Global’s compensation approach combines competitive pay, performance incentives, equity, stock purchase access and broad benefits, giving employees both near-term rewards and longer-term financial participation in the company’s growth.
Zeta Global Insights
What We Do
Zeta Global (NYSE: ZETA) is the AI Marketing Cloud that leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and trillions of consumer signals to make it easier for marketers to acquire, grow, and retain customers more efficiently. Through the Zeta Marketing Platform (ZMP), our vision is to make sophisticated marketing simple by unifying identity, intelligence, and omnichannel activation into a single platform – powered by one of the industry’s largest proprietary databases and AI. Our enterprise customers across multiple verticals are empowered to personalize experiences with consumers at an individual level across every channel, delivering better results for marketing programs. Zeta was founded in 2007 by David A. Steinberg and John Sculley and is headquartered in New York City with offices around the world.
Why Work With Us
At Zeta, people have the freedom to think creatively, take initiative, and grow. We value curiosity, innovation, and teamwork, empowering everyone to use AI and technology in smarter ways to drive impact for clients, consumers, and each other while shaping the future together.
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Zeta Global Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
