Senior Cybersecurity Operations and Defense Director

CRC Group; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

CRC Group is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Operations and Defense Director to provide strategic leadership for enterprise information security programs, including governance, risk management, cyber defense, and asset protection. The role leads cross-functional teams to implement robust defense capabilities and ensure regulatory compliance. You will drive security policies, budgets, and awareness initiatives, partnering with executives and IT to maintain business continuity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity or related field.
• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or related discipline preferred.
• 12+ years in information security or IT risk management roles.
• 7+ years in leadership directing enterprise security functions.
• 3–5 years in AI enablement for security operations (AI security ops, automation, auto-triage).
• Experience developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies and frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide information security strategy aligned with objectives.
• Oversee governance, risk, and compliance initiatives.
• Lead development and implementation of security policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Direct vulnerability management, incident response, and threat detection operations.
• Oversee AI enablement for Cyber Operations.
• Partner with executives, legal, and IT to manage security risks and business continuity.
• Drive enterprise security awareness programs and promote best practices.
• Lead and mentor senior security professionals and cross-functional initiatives.
• Develop security budgets and ROI analysis for investments.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Security architecture

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT/Cybersecurity

Master’s degree in Cybersecurity

Tools

Security Copilot

Claude

ChatGPT

Job description

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Language Fluency: English (Required)

Work Shift: 1st Shift (United States of America)

CRC Group is a leading, independent pure-play brokerage and underwriting specialty insurance distributor. Our culture puts people first, prioritizing long-term relationships, ethical decision-making, and continuous improvement. As a result of listening to our employees, CRC Group earned a Top Workplaces USA award three years in a row based solely on employee feedback and CRC Group is currently Great Place To Work Certified! If you want to work for a company where employees are valued and growth is encouraged, CRC Group could be the place.

The Senior Cybersecurity Operations and Defense Director provides strategic leadership for organizational information security programs, including governance, risk management, cyber defense, and protection of enterprise assets. This role ensures resilience against threats, establishes security frameworks, and oversees compliance with regulatory and industry standards while leading cross-functional teams to implement and maintain robust defense capabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Followingis a summary of the essential functions for this job.Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below.Specific activities may change from time to time.

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide information security strategy aligned with organizationalobjectives.


• Oversee governance, risk, and compliance initiatives to ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and internal standards.


• Lead development and implementation of security policies, standards, and guidelines across the organization.


• Direct vulnerability management, incident response, and threat detection operations to safeguard assets.


• Oversee AI enablement for Cyber Operations


• Partner with executive leadership, legal, and IT teams to manage security risks andmaintainbusiness continuity.


• Drive enterprise security awareness programs and influence adoption of best practices.


• Lead, mentor, and manage senior-level security professionals and cross-functional security initiatives.


• Develop security budgets, resource plans, and ensure ROI from security investments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge,skilland/or ability required.Reasonableaccommodationmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, ora relatedfield.


• Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or related discipline preferred.


• 12+ years of experience in information security or IT risk management roles.


• 7+ years of experience in leadership roles directing enterprise security functions.


• 3-5 years of experience in AI enablement for security operations, i.e. integration of AI security operations, automation, auto-triage; experience Security Copilot, Claude and/or ChatGPT


• Experience developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies and frameworks.


• Proventrack recordin incident response, security architecture, threat management, and compliance.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES / REGISTRATIONS

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) preferred.


• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is desirable.


• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent risk/compliance certification preferred.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• Strategic thinking and vision setting for cybersecurity programs.


• Advanced knowledge of security architecture, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management.


• Strong leadership and team development skills.


• Expertisein regulatory compliance frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, and SOC standards.


• Ability to influence executives and communicate complex security concepts effectively.


• Proficiencyin risk management and business continuity planning.

General Description of Available Benefits for Eligible Employees of CRC Group:

At CRC Group, we’re committed to supporting every aspect of teammates’ well-being – physical, emotional, financial, social, and professional. Our best-in-class benefits program is designed to care for the whole you, offering a wide range of coverage and support. Eligible full-time teammates enjoy access to medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and AD&D insurance; tax-advantaged savings accounts; and a 401(k) plan with company match. CRC Group also offers generous paid time off programs, including company holidays, vacation and sick days, new parent leave, and more. Eligible positions may also qualify for restricted stock unitsand/or a deferred compensation plan.

CRC Group supports a diverse workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, citizenship or national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or other classification protected by law. CRC Group is a Drug Free Workplace.