Chief Information Security Officer

University-of-Albert; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta seeks a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead cybersecurity and IT compliance across the IST portfolio. Reporting to the CIO, the CISO will shape a comprehensive security strategy, safeguard university assets, and navigate AI-driven changes in teaching, research and administration.

In this senior role, you will work in a complex academic environment, collaborate with IST leadership, and translate strategic vision into operational action plans for staff while

Qualifications

• Experience leading cybersecurity strategy and governance.
• Ability to operate in an academic/regulatory environment.
• Strong leadership and collaboration across functional areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive security strategy to safeguard university assets, information, and infrastructure.
• Oversee cybersecurity and IT compliance programs within IST and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and AI-enabled initiatives.
• Collaborate with IST portfolio directors to embed security into system and service design, implementation and support.

Job description

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Associate Vice-President of Information Services & Technology (IST), the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) provides leadership to discrete functions, operations, programs or services within the cybersecurity and IT compliance areas of the university. The CISO is a Director within IST, reporting to the CIO alongside the other IST portfolio directors, and works in close collaboration with them so that security is built into how systems and services are designed, implemented and supported. Directors are expected to generate excitement, engagement, support and momentum for their area’s initiatives. As leaders, they straddle the worlds of operational and strategic leadership, translating strategic vision into operational/action plans for their staff.

The CISO leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive security strategy to safeguard University assets, information, and infrastructure. This role operates within a complex academic environment, supporting institutional goals while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and emerging security threats. The University of Alberta is an internationally recognized institution and with extensive research programs and as such this role will need to understand regional, national and international cybersecurity policies and trends. Artificial intelligence is reshaping both the threat landscape and the university’s operating environment. The CISO will lead the institution’s approach to securing and governing its use across teaching, research and administration, while enabling the innovation that AI makes possible.