Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - Remote First

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 2,500,000 - 3,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation package

Executive health & retirement benefits

Remote-first with autonomy

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Chief Information Security Officer to lead a remote-first security program, aligning security with business goals and risk strategy. You will govern, measure, and continuously improve enterprise security across a distributed organization.

The role requires 10–15 years in information security with at least 5 years in a CISO or senior leadership capacity, and strong experience in GRC, incident response, and cloud security.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field (CS/IT/Security).
• PhD or equivalent is a plus.
• 10–15 years in information security leadership, incl. 5+ years as CISO or senior security leader.
• Proven track record implementing enterprise-wide security programs.
• Deep knowledge of GRC, cyber frameworks, and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a holistic information security strategy.
• Establish and enforce information security policies and standards.
• Oversee security controls, technologies, and processes.
• Lead remote security team and foster security culture.
• Manage information security budget and resource allocation.
• Oversee incident response; ensure containment and recovery.
• Ensure GDPR/POPIA/ISO 27001 compliance and risk management.
• Engage with executives, board, regulators, and partners.
• Monitor threats and advise on strategic security investments.
• Represent organization on external security matters.

Skills

GRC

Security Leadership

Executive Presence

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Threat Intelligence

Incident Response

Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Master's degree

PhD (advantage)

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

SIEM

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary and strategic Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead their security initiatives within a remote-first organizational structure. This executive-level role is responsible for establishing and executing a comprehensive information security strategy that aligns with business objectives and mitigates enterprise-wide risks. The CISO will oversee all aspects of information security, including governance, risk management, compliance, incident response, and security operations, driving a robust security culture across the entire organization. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned security leader to shape the future of cybersecurity for a dynamic company, working remotely with influence over operations that may touch areas like Upington, Northern Cape . The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in executive security leadership, a deep understanding of global security trends, and the ability to inspire and guide a distributed security team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a holistic information security strategy and program that protects the organization's assets, data, and systems.
• Establish and enforce information security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Oversee the implementation and management of security controls, technologies, and processes.
• Lead and manage the information security team, fostering a culture of security excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage the information security budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Oversee the incident response program, ensuring timely and effective containment, eradication, and recovery from security breaches.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., GDPR, POPIA, ISO 27001).
• Develop and execute a comprehensive risk management program, identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks.
• Build strong relationships with executive leadership, board members, and other stakeholders to ensure security alignment and awareness.
• Stay abreast of emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies, and advise the organization on strategic security investments.
• Represent the organization on security matters with external parties, including regulators and partners.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in information security leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a CISO or equivalent senior security management position.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful enterprise-wide information security programs.
• In-depth knowledge of security governance, risk management, compliance (GRC), cybersecurity frameworks, and incident response.
• Experience managing security operations, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management functions.
• Strong understanding of cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), network security, application security, and data protection.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and executive presence.
• Experience managing budgets and leading teams, especially in a remote or distributed environment.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business impacts and strategic recommendations.
• Relevant senior-level certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISO certification, or equivalent.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package, including base salary, bonuses, and equity.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits.
• Significant allowance for professional development, training, and executive coaching.
• Flexibility of a remote-first work environment with significant autonomy.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the cybersecurity strategy of a growing organization.
• Influence and impact the security posture across all operational domains, including those conceptually linked to Upington, Northern Cape .
• Work with a high-performing, motivated, and globally distributed security team.