Interim Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Korn Ferry Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry Group is seeking an Interim Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to provide senior cyber security leadership during a transformation. The role combines hands-on security delivery with executive leadership to accelerate delivery and improve security maturity across the organisation.

The ideal candidate will own the cyber security programme, challenge legacy technology and engage with the Board and senior stakeholders to drive tangible improvements from day one.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a CISO or senior cyber security leader.
• Proven track record delivering cyber security programmes in complex organisations.
• Ability to engage with technical teams and challenge security issues.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the existing cyber security programme and accelerate delivery against priorities.
• Provide senior leadership and direction across the cyber security function.
• Drive transformation, remediation and maturity improvement initiatives.
• Address vulnerabilities, legacy technology and operational risks.
• Provide hands-on leadership during incidents and remediation activities.
• Collaborate with technology teams to resolve technical security issues.
• Establish structures, processes and controls to strengthen security posture.
• Report to the Board, Risk Committee and senior executives with clear updates.
• Build confidence among senior stakeholders and communicate complex risks effectively.
• Drive improvements while operating in a potentially immature security environment.

Skills

CISO leadership

Cyber security

Board reporting

Stakeholder management

Incident response

Job description

Interim Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Interim Contract

Immediate Start

Location: London / UK (Hybrid, with travel between offices)

Duration: Initial 3 months

Start Date: ASAP

Working Arrangement: Hybrid, with regular on-site presence required

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to provide senior cyber security leadership within a complex organisation undergoing a period of cyber security transformation.

This is a hands-on leadership assignment requiring an individual who can take ownership of an existing cyber security programme, accelerate delivery and drive tangible improvements across the organisation's security environment.

Working closely with senior leadership, the Board and Risk Committee, the successful individual will provide continuity of cyber leadership while strengthening the organisation's overall cyber security capabilities.

This is not purely a strategic or advisory position. The successful candidate will need to combine strong technical cyber security expertise with proven executive leadership, taking responsibility for driving programmes forward, addressing legacy challenges and improving cyber security maturity.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the existing cyber security programme, ensuring continuity and accelerating delivery against key priorities.
• Provide senior leadership and direction across the organisation's cyber security function.
• Drive cyber security transformation, remediation and maturity improvement initiatives.
• Assess and address existing security vulnerabilities, legacy technology challenges and operational risks.
• Provide hands-on leadership during cyber security incidents, remediation activities and complex operational situations.
• Work closely with technology and infrastructure teams to identify, challenge and resolve technical security issues.
• Establish appropriate structures, processes and controls to strengthen the organisation’s cyber security posture.
• Provide clear reporting, recommendations and updates to the Board, Risk Committee and senior executive stakeholders.
• Build confidence among senior stakeholders, effectively communicating complex technical risks and security priorities.
• Challenge existing approaches and drive improvements while operating within an evolving and potentially immature security environment.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Extensive experience operating as a CISO or in an equivalent senior cyber security leadership position.
• Proven track record of leading and delivering cyber security programmes within complex organisations.
• Strong technical understanding of cyber security, with the ability to engage directly with technical teams and challenge security-related issues.
• Experience managing cyber security incidents, remediation programmes and significant operational challenges.
• Demonstrable experience improving cyber security maturity within organisations with legacy technology, evolving processes or less mature security environments.
• Proven ability to operate at Board level, including presenting to and influencing Board members, Risk Committees and senior executives.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to engage and challenge highly senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading transformation and driving measurable improvements rather than focusing exclusively on strategy and governance.
• Comfortable operating in demanding environments where structure and processes may need to be established or improved.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working across multiple industries and complex operational environments.
• Background in manufacturing, industrial, infrastructure, telecommunications, technology, utilities or field services organisations.
• Experience working within organisations undergoing significant technology or cyber security transformation.
• Previous experience undertaking interim CISO or senior cyber security leadership assignments.
• Experience working across geographically dispersed technology teams and multiple office locations.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an established and credible cyber security leader who has experienced a broad range of organisational environments.

They will bring the technical depth to understand complex cyber security challenges, alongside the executive presence required to influence senior stakeholders and provide confidence at Board level.

Importantly, they will be comfortable operating in environments where cyber security maturity is still developing, with the ability to bring structure, challenge existing practices and deliver meaningful improvements without relying on lengthy assessment or advisory exercises.

This role will suit a pragmatic, delivery-focused CISO who can take ownership, make decisions and drive progress from day one.

Contract Details

• Initial 3-month contract, with potential for extension.
• London-based or able to work regularly in London.
• Regular on-site attendance and travel between office locations required.
• Immediate or near-immediate availability preferred.