Chief Operating Officer (COO) Cybersecurity (Technical Background) - Relocate to Dubai, UAE

VIRTUAL SECURITY LAB CYBER RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES L.L.C; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic cybersecurity firm in Dubai seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operations and achieve strategic goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and operational leadership experience within the cybersecurity sector. Responsibilities include optimizing service delivery, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards, and fostering organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in cybersecurity and IT systems.
• Proven experience in operational leadership, preferably in startups or consulting firms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize company-wide operations across various functions.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity frameworks and improve service delivery.
• Build and scale cross-functional teams and develop hiring plans.

Skills

Cybersecurity Expertise

Operational Leadership

Technical Background

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Cybersecurity (Technical Background) - Relocate to Dubai, UAE

We are seeking a results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a strong technical background in cybersecurity to lead operations and support the company's strategic goals. The COO will be based in Dubai and will oversee daily operations, ensuring alignment with long-term objectives in cybersecurity services, consulting, and managed security offerings.

The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in cyber and IT systems, along with proven experience in operational leadership, preferably within startups, consulting firms, or MSSPs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operational Leadership

• Lead and optimize company-wide operations, including service delivery, projects, HR, finance, administration, and client success.
• Translate the CEO's strategic vision into actionable plans and KPIs.
• Develop efficient, scalable systems and workflows across all departments.

Technical Oversight (Cybersecurity)

• Collaborate with CTO, CISO, and technical teams to ensure consistent, high-quality cybersecurity service delivery and compliance.
• Oversee implementation and continuous improvement of cybersecurity frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST 800-53, MITRE ATT&CK, and Zero Trust Architecture to ensure compliance and scalability.
• Embed these frameworks within managed security services to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
• Monitor and improve cybersecurity service delivery, including penetration testing, GRC advisory, SOC/MDR operations, cloud security, and incident response.
• Establish benchmarks to assess and enhance the maturity of cybersecurity offerings.

People & Organizational Growth

• Build and scale cross-functional teams, including technical and support staff.
• Develop hiring plans, performance management processes, and training programs aligned with business needs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, security awareness, and operational excellence.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with UAE laws, Free Zone regulations (DMCC, DIFC, etc.), and cybersecurity standards.
• Support audit processes, internal controls, and policy development.
• Manage operational risk registers, vendor assessments, and security SOPs.

Finance & Commercial Support

• Collaborate with finance to manage budgets, costs, vendor contracts, and pricing.
• Oversee client proposals, SLAs, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor profitability, resource utilization, and client satisfaction.