Director, Center for Advancing Cybersecurity

Security and Technology; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with matching

Parental leave

Unlimited PTO

Relocation assistance to Bay Area

Job summary

Institute for Security and Technology (IST) seeks a Director for the Center for Advancing Cybersecurity to apply policy and technical expertise in disrupting cyber threats. You'll collaborate with law enforcement, researchers, and industry to build scalable disruption processes and advance national and global cybersecurity.

The role includes leadership in applied research, policy development, and potential supervisory responsibilities, with remote work flexibility and Washington, DC area

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as computer science, public policy, or political science, OR Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least two years of professional experience OR PhD in a relevant field.
• 5 years’ experience in a cybersecurity role aligned to public policy, operations, or threat intelligence
• Experience as, or liaising with, law enforcement on cybersecurity investigations
• Demonstrated research skills through publications
• Understanding of U.S. law and policy related to cybersecurity operations
• IRCA compliance and E-Verify participation requirements
• Background check completion as condition of employment

Responsibilities

• Tracking strategic intelligence related to cyber threat actor groups
• Convening law enforcement, security researchers, and industry around cyber disruption activities (takedowns)
• Developing metrics for success of disruption operations
• Developing policy proposals to scale disruption activities
• Conducting other applied research and policy development related to cybersecurity

Skills

Policy and cyber security

Public policy liaison

Cyber threat intelligence

Research publications

Education

Bachelor's in CS/Policy/Political Science

Master's in relevant field

PhD in relevant field

Job description

IST is seeking a motivated, self-starting Director, Center for Advancing Cybersecurity, who is eager to apply both policy and technical knowledge and experience to advance the field of cyber threat disruption.

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) , a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that unites technology and policy leaders to create solutions to emerging security challenges, is actively seeking highly motivated practitioners to join our team as a Director in the Center for Advancing Cybersecurity. We are a passionate, tight-knit team, excited about the challenges we are tackling — join us at the cutting edge of emerging technology security policy! If you’re excited about applying your cybersecurity expertise and law enforcement relationships to disrupt malicious cyber threat actors and help build scalable, replicable disruption processes, then this is your opportunity to make a significant impact on national and global cybersecurity. IST takes collaborative action to advance national security and global stability through trustworthy technology, guiding businesses and governments with hands‑on expertise, in-depth analysis, and a global networ k.

Since its foundation in 2020, IST has launched a vast array of impactful initiatives addressing challenges such as ransomware, the resilience of lifeline critical infrastructure, trust and safety, nuclear risk reduction, the role of artificial intelligence, and more.

Position

We are seeking an individual who is eager to apply both policy and technical knowledge and experience to advance the field of cyber threat disruption, working with partners in law enforcement, the security research community, and industry to build replicable, scalable processes that effectuate disruption campaigns against malicious cyber threat actors. This role also contributes to other applied research and policy development projects aligned with the Center’s mission and has the potential for supervisory responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Tracking strategic intelligence related to cyber threat actor groups
• Convening law enforcement, security researchers, and industry around cyber disruption activities, such as takedowns
• Developing new metrics for success of disruption operations, based on consultations with policymakers and cybersecurity professionals
• Developing policy proposals that support scaling disruption activities, including by addressing the incentive structures for participants in the ecosystem
• Conducting other applied research and policy development related to cybersecurity

Qualifications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as computer science, public policy, or political science, OR Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least two years of professional experience OR PhD in a relevant field
• 5 years’ experience in a cybersecurity role aligned to public policy, operations, or threat intelligence
• Experience as, or liaising with, law enforcement on cybersecurity investigations
• Demonstrated research skills through publications
• Understanding of U.S. law and policy related to cybersecurity operations
• As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), IST only employs persons legally eligible to work in the US. New employees must complete an I-9 Form and provide actual documents verifying their identity and eligibility to work in the US within three (3) business days of the date of hire. IST participates in the E-Verify program to electronically verify employment eligibility.
• This position is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Preferred

• Technical training or experience in computer science, information technology, artificial intelligence, or a related field
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. cybersecurity policy
• Understanding of non-U.S. law and policy related to cybersecurity operations
• Experience convening diverse working groups on policy matters
• Experience developing metrics for cybersecurity (policy or operations)
• Experience briefing policymakers or other non-technical audiences about technical topics
• Experience researching cyber threat groups
• Experience with cyber incident response
• Experience leading or participating in disruption operations

Compensation and benefits

The expected annual base salary range for this role is $97,660.00 – $133,640.00, commensurate with experience.

IST’s generous compensation package consists of three core elements: base salary, benefits, and the potential for bonuses. We are committed to pay fairness and aim for these three elements collectively to be highly competitive with market rates in the non-profit sector. Benefits we offer include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and all your dependents.
• 401(k) plan with up to 4% matching, immediate vesting. Eligible to enroll after a 90-day waiting period.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave.
• Unlimited PTO after the introductory period. Most staff take between 3-4 weeks each year, sometimes more!
• Potential stipends for education, home office, commuting, and wellness.
• Potential for partial relocation support for those moving to the Bay Area.

Compensation is dependent on experience and is based on IST’s good faith estimate for this position, in San Francisco, CA, as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay, exact job title and role will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including where you place on our internal performance ladders, which is based on factors including past work experience, relevant education, and performance on our interviews or in a work trial.

Location

IST is a remote organization. Due to our focus on convening stakeholders for in-person meetings and working groups, candidates based in the Washington, DC, area are preferred. For incumbents residing in the downtown Washington, DC, area you are encouraged to work from the office two days a week.

For more information, visit www.securityandtechnology.org . If you’re ready to embark on an exhilarating journey at the forefront of AI security policy, then seize this opportunity to join us at IST.