Chief Information Security Officer

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Chief Information Security Officer to lead its information security efforts. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape security strategies and ensure compliance within a large public research university. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in information security, with a strong focus on risk management and compliance. With the flexibility of a fully remote position, occasional campus visits are required. Join a vibrant academic community and make a significant impact on the university's security posture while working in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years of experience in information security and compliance.
• 4 years in a senior leadership role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee campus-wide information security and assurance.
• Develop comprehensive strategy and privacy program.

Skills

Information Security

Compliance

Risk Management

Vulnerability Assessment

Incident Response

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Security Assessment Tools

Job description

WittKieffer is proud to partner with the University of Massachusetts – Amherst (UMass Amherst) to conduct the national search for their next Chief Information Security Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

With nearly 32,000 students and over 200 distinct academic programs, UMass Amherst stretches across nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley—only 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting.

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for overseeing campus-wide information security and assurance and developing a comprehensive strategy and privacy program to protect university information assets. The CISO identifies, evaluates, and reports on information security risks to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and alignment with the university's risk posture.

The successful Chief Information Security Officer candidate will:

• Execute campus-wide planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of security services, controls, policies and procedures.
• Establish effective relationships with key stakeholders, data custodians, and governance groups in the development of security and assurance policies and best practices.
• Lead strategic security planning contributing to infrastructure design, architecture, application development, identity management, and disaster recovery frameworks.
• Define security strategies, metrics, and reporting mechanisms, and services for continual program improvements, as well as remain abreast of information security issues and regulatory changes affecting higher education at the state and national levels.
• Manage tools and processes for vulnerability scanning and regular security assessment, ensuring continuous monitoring and proactive response.
• Generate security solutions and services to continuously advance the university's security posture and manage campus wide information security computer and data incident response team, overseeing digital forensic, post-incident analysis and reporting.

The preferred candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree with 10 to 12 years of relevant experience in information security and compliance and at least four years must be in a senior leadership role. Experience working in a large, research extensive higher education institution, or military or not-for-profit and certification, such as a CISSP, CISM, or similar is preferred.

UMass Amherst offers the flexibility of a fully remote Chief Information Security Officer, with the requirement of occasional campus visits.

Please direct all applications, nominations and inquiries to Christy Pratt or Ethan Robles, by using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal or by email, at: [e-mail] . The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position. Either means of application is acceptable.





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