Cybersecurity Operations Lead

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work stipend

Internet reimbursement

Training budget

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Cybersecurity Operations Lead to oversee a remote, global SOC. You will manage incident response, threat detection, and vulnerability management while mentoring a team of analysts and engineers.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in cybersecurity operations with leadership experience, deep knowledge of SIEM/EDR/IDS/IPS, and strong cloud and networking expertise. Certifications like CISSP/CISM/GIAC are highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in cybersecurity operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and other security technologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in incident response, forensic analysis, and vulnerability management.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, operating systems, and cloud security.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or GIAC are highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of cybersecurity analysts and engineers.
• Oversee 24/7 SOC operations, ensuring effective threat detection and response.
• Develop and implement incident response plans and procedures.
• Manage and conduct security investigations, analyzing logs and forensic data.
• Oversee vulnerability management programs, including scanning, assessment, and remediation tracking.
• Implement and manage security technologies such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and firewalls.
• Conduct threat intelligence gathering and analysis to proactively identify emerging threats.
• Develop and maintain security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant security regulations and frameworks.
• Conduct regular security awareness training for employees.
• Lead tabletop exercises and simulations to test incident response capabilities.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to integrate security best practices into all aspects of the business.

Skills

Leadership

Incident response

Threat detection

Vulnerability management

SIEM

IDS/IPS

EDR

Cloud security

Networking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Cybersecurity

Tools

SIEM

IDS/IPS

EDR

Firewalls

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the FinTech industry, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Cybersecurity Operations Lead to join their team. This role is fully remote, allowing you to contribute to securing our client's digital assets from anywhere. You will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the cybersecurity team, managing incident response, threat detection, and vulnerability management. The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical background in cybersecurity, proven leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating security risks. You will play a critical role in safeguarding our client's systems and data against evolving cyber threats. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead a critical function within a fast-paced and innovative organization. We are committed to building a strong and resilient security posture and are looking for a dedicated professional to drive this mission. The role requires extensive hands‑on experience and a deep understanding of modern cybersecurity practices and technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of cybersecurity analysts and engineers.
• Oversee the 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) operations, ensuring effective threat detection and response.
• Develop and implement incident response plans and procedures.
• Manage and conduct security investigations, analyzing logs and forensic data.
• Oversee vulnerability management programs, including scanning, assessment, and remediation tracking.
• Implement and manage security technologies such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and firewalls.
• Conduct threat intelligence gathering and analysis to proactively identify emerging threats.
• Develop and maintain security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant security regulations and frameworks.
• Conduct regular security awareness training for employees.
• Lead tabletop exercises and simulations to test incident response capabilities.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to integrate security best practices into all aspects of the business.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in cybersecurity operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, and other security technologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in incident response, forensic analysis, and vulnerability management.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, operating systems, and cloud security.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or GIAC are highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote environment.
• Experience in the FinTech industry is a plus.
• Ability to think critically and act decisively under pressure.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Remote work setup stipend and ongoing internet reimbursement.
• Professional development budget for training, certifications, and conferences.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement within a leading FinTech company.
• Access to cutting-edge security tools and technologies.
• Collaborative and supportive remote team environment.
• Employee assistance program.