Head of Cyber Security - PayLink

Salla; Al Khobar; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

PayLink is seeking an experienced Cyber Security Manager to lead cybersecurity operations, governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance across its payment platforms and technology infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Requirements include 5+ years in SAMA-licensed financial institutions or FinTech, hands-on experience with SAMA CSF, and strong skills in governance, risk management, and incident response.

Qualifications

• Saudi nationality is mandatory
• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field
• Professional cybersecurity certifications preferred (CISSP/CISM/CRISC/CEH)
• Minimum 5 years of relevant cybersecurity experience in Saudi Arabia within SAMA-licensed financial institutions, banks, payment service providers, or FinTech
• Hands-on experience implementing and maintaining SAMA CSF controls
• Experience in Governance, Risk Management & Compliance (GRC) including audits and remediation
• Experience managing Security Operations (SOC), monitoring, and incident response
• Strong knowledge of Network, Application, Vulnerability, and Security Architecture

Responsibilities

• Lead governance, risk management, and SAMA compliance activities
• Oversee security operations, threat monitoring, detection, and incident response
• Coordinate with IT, engineering, and risk teams to remediate vulnerabilities
• Collaborate with development teams to integrate security into the SDLC
• Conduct or oversee vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
• Develop and maintain security policies, procedures, and controls
• Prepare security KPIs and reports for senior management

Skills

Cybersecurity governance

Risk management

Incident response

Security operations

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

CISSP / CISM / CRISC / CEH or equivalent

Tools

SIEM

EDR/XDR

Firewalls

IDS/IPS

Vulnerability scanning

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Cyber Security Manager to lead cybersecurity operations, governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance across PayLink's payment platforms and technology infrastructure. 5+ years of cybersecurity experience within SAMA-licensed financial institutions or FinTech companies, with demonstrated hands-on experience implementing SAMA cybersecurity requirements, managing security operations, responding to security incidents, and leading cybersecurity initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Cybersecurity Governance & SAMA Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain cybersecurity policies, procedures, standards, and controls aligned with the SAMA Cyber Security Framework (CSF) and applicable regulatory requirements
• Lead cybersecurity risk assessments, compliance reviews, internal audits, and remediation activities
• Maintain cybersecurity governance documentation, risk registers, and compliance reporting
• Identify regulatory compliance gaps and develop corrective action plans

Security Operations & Incident Response

• Oversee daily security operations, threat monitoring, detection, and incident response activities
• Manage security monitoring solutions, including SIEM, EDR/XDR, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
• Lead cybersecurity incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Develop, maintain, and test incident response procedures and escalation processes

Network, Application & Infrastructure Security

• Oversee network security controls, firewall configurations, access management, and infrastructure protection
• Collaborate with development teams to integrate security into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Ensure appropriate security controls are implemented across web applications, APIs, mobile applications, and payment platforms
• Support secure architecture reviews, application security assessments, and penetration testing activities

Vulnerability & Risk Management

• Lead vulnerability assessments, security testing, and remediation tracking
• Evaluate cybersecurity risks across applications, networks, cloud environments, and third-party integrations
• Coordinate with IT and engineering teams to remediate critical vulnerabilities within defined timelines
• Monitor emerging cyber threats and recommend preventive security measures

Leadership & Security Awareness

• Lead cybersecurity initiatives, manage security projects, and mentor cybersecurity team members
• Coordinate with IT, Engineering, Risk, Compliance, and business stakeholders
• Develop and deliver cybersecurity awareness and training programs
• Prepare cybersecurity KPIs, risk reports, and security posture updates for senior management

Requirements

• Saudi nationality is mandatory
• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Professional cybersecurity certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CEH, or equivalent are preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant cybersecurity or information security experience within SAMA-licensed financial institutions, banks, payment service providers, or FinTech companies in Saudi Arabia
• Proven hands-on experience implementing and maintaining controls aligned with the SAMA Cyber Security Framework (SAMA CSF)
• Demonstrated experience in Cybersecurity Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC), including risk assessments, regulatory audits, and remediation plans
• Proven experience managing Security Operations (SOC), security monitoring, and cybersecurity incident response
• Strong technical knowledge of Network Security, Application Security, Vulnerability Management, and Security Architecture
• Hands-on experience with cybersecurity technologies such as SIEM, EDR/XDR, firewalls, IDS/IPS, and vulnerability scanning tools
• Experience conducting or overseeing vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security remediation activities
• Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity projects, coordinating technical teams, or managing cybersecurity professionals
• Strong communication, analytical, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills